As the school year kicks off through the fall semester, free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) will open Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. Starting the 2021-2022 school year, Texas has made it a requirement to have filled out a FAFSA or a TASFA in order for seniors to graduate. Students who wish not to participate can fill out an opt-out form and submit the form to their counselor.
FAFSA is a free application for students who intend on going to college and wish to receive financial aid. The application will help decide one’s eligibility for federal, state, or institutional aid. Student aid may be applied towards tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, and other related expenses. FAFSA may also be used to determine aid students will not have to pay back, like scholarships and grants. TASFA is used to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid programs in the state of Texas. Students who are U.S citizens or have a permanent residency card are encouraged to fill out a FAFSA form. Students who do not qualify for FAFSA but is a resident of Texas is encouraged to fill out their TASFA.
FAFSA is a first come first serve financial aid. The federal deadline for FAFSA is June 30, 2022, although other deadlines for colleges or states may vary. The deadline for priority considerations for TASFA is Jan. 15, 2022, for certain schools, the deadline will vary.
On Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, the Keller Center for Advanced Learning (KCAL) is hosting a FAFSA and TASFA completion event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Financial aid representatives will be there to help fill out forms and answer questions regarding FAFSA and TASFA.
On Friday, Nov. 8, 2021, Timber Creek will be hosting their own financial aid night from 6-8 p.m. for those who were not able to attend the one at KCAL on Oct. 2.
Prior to attending one of these events, students and parents should create their Federal Student Aid ID. To do so, go online at FSA ID | Your Account for Federal Student Aid and follow the steps the website provides.
On the day of the event, students and parents should bring:
Social Security Card
Federal Student Aid ID
Alien Registration Card (If not a U.S citizen)
Citizenship Records (If applicable)
Driver’s License (If applicable)
Tax and Income Records (W-2’s, Federal Tax Returns, Records of Taxable and Non-Taxable Income received)
Current Bank Account Statements
Current Business or Investment Farm Records
Forms needed from the IRS (Tax Fillers and Non-Tax Fillers)
Own technology to work on
All Male Students 18-25 must complete the Selective Service registration to be eligible for financial aid. To fill out the registration go to Selective Service System – It’s Your Country. Protect it. : Selective Service System (sss.gov)
Fill out FAFSA online at: https://fafsa.ed.gov/
Fill out TASFA online at College For All Texans: Types of Financial Aid
Fill out and print the Opt-Out Form: Opt-out form (To find the form in different languages click on the KISD College Readiness link at the bottom of the article).
For more information check out the KISD website at College, Career & Military Readiness / FAFSA, TASFA & Financial Aid (kellerisd.net) or email TCHS College, Career and Military Readiness Counselor, Lindsey Hernandez, at lindsey.hernandez@kellerisd.net