1. Financial Aid 101 Trina Smith-Patterson
Tarrant County College Northwest Campus

2. What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is money provided by the federal and / or state government, institutions and
other sources to help students pay for college
This can consist of different programs
Grants
Loans
Scholarships
Work-Study Programs

3. Who Can Get Financial Aid?
General Eligibility Requirements:
Have a H.S. Diploma or GED
U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen
Register for Selective Service (Male Students)
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
Enroll in an eligible degree or certificate program
Enroll at least 6 hours (for most programs)
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

4. Getting ready FSA ID Parents with no SSN Electronic Signature
Student
Parent
Cannot use same phone number or
Parents with no SSN
Not eligible to create FSA ID
Print, sign, and mail signature page

5. FAFSA.GOV Application Process Free Application for Federal Student Aid
DO NOT PAY
Annual Process
Available each October 1st for the following Fall semester

6. IRS Data Retrieval Tool
Not a requirement BUT
Imports processed tax information directly from IRS website
Decreased errors
Minimizes documentation the school may request

7. FSA App
Cannot renew
IRS Data Retrieval Tool option unavailable

8. Senate Bill 1528 Students Undocumented Students
Not eligible for Federal Financial Aid
May be eligible for State Grants
Complete Paper TASFA
Submit to Financial Aid Office along with other required documents

9. -Estimated Family Contribution (from SAR)
How Aid is calculated
The Financial Aid Office uses the following formula to determine eligibility:
Cost of Attendance
-Estimated Family Contribution (from SAR)
Financial Need
COA: Tuition
Books
Living Allowance
Transportation
Personal Expenses
Additional Expenses when applicable
EFC: Determined by Federal Processor from info provided on FAFSA

10. Financial Aid Programs
Gift Aid: Funds that do not have to be repaid
Federal Pell Grant
Federal SEOG
State Grants
TPEG
TEOG
TEXAS Grant (4 year schools only)
Deadline: January 15th
Scholarships
NEVER pay money to apply for scholarships
Stars of Tomorrow (TCC Only)
Employers (student & parent)

11. Up to $4,000 over a maximum of six semesters
Stars of Tomorrow
Up to $4,000 over a maximum of six semesters
12+ semester hours, $800
9-11 Semester hours, $600
6-8 semester hours, $400
To qualify for the Stars of Tomorrow program, students are required to:
Apply for Admission at TCCD
Apply for Free Application for Student Aid
Meet Stars of Tomorrow program requirements
Be a resident of Tarrant County for tuition purposes
Have graduated and attended school within one year of graduation
Graduate Recommended in the top 50 percent of any public or private high school or Distinguished or be exempt from Texas Success Initiative (TSI).
Meet the following family income thresholds (as reported on the FAFSA)
Complete a Stars of Tomorrow orientation session (if chosen as a recipient)
No. in Household 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Family Income
$38,000
$67,000
$72,000
$77,000
$82,000
$87,000
$92,000
$97,000

12. Financial Aid Programs
Self-Help: Must be repaid or earned
Federal and State College Work-study
Federal Loans
Subsidized loans
Deferred interested while enrolled in 6+ hours
based on financial need
Unsubsidized loans
no deferred interest,
not need based

13. FAFSA Dependency Status
If any of the following criteria applies, the student is considered independent:
24 years or older
Married
Children they financially support
In foster care since turning the age of 13
Emancipated minor
Currently or was in legal guardianship
Homeless or self-supporting AND at risk of being homeless
Veteran or serving ACTIVE duty in U.S. Armed Force

14. Special Circumstances
Examples
Parents are incarcerated
Student left home due to an abusive family environment
Student is unaware of parent/s whereabouts
Must be well documented
Visit the financial aid office for more information

15. Deadlines You may file your FAFSA at anytime, BUT
Institutions will publish a Priority Deadline
Differs per Institution
Institutional Aid, Limited funding programs
TX State Grant Programs
Priority deadline is January 15th

16. Know Your Limits Pell Loans Repeated Classes Maximum Timeframe
12 Full-time Semesters
6 Years of Study
Loans
Aggregate Limits-$23,000 Subsidized
>150% timeframe, subsidy is lost
No Subsidized Loans for graduate students
Repeated Classes
ONLY pay once for previous passed classes (A, B, C, D)
Maximum Timeframe
90 Attempted Hours (Associates Degree)
48 Attempted Hours (Certificate Program)
150%

17. Maintaining Eligibility
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
All students
Must complete 67% of ALL hours attempted
Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0
Complete their program within 150% of published program length
Appeal policy for Ineligible students
Not required
Policy varies by institution

18. Important Information!
Apply Early
Apply Annually
Check your student
Submit Required Documentation
Report changes of Income (loss of job or benefits)
Attend Class
Stop Before You Drop

19. For More Information Contact Financial Aid (817) 515-4243