Getting your degree is a huge investment in your future. But the price of your investment doesn’t have to be as high as you might think. Houston GPS is here to help you make the most of your college budget through your financial aid opportunities. To get started, follow the steps below.
The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Colleges and universities in Texas use the FAFSA data to determine your federal and state aid eligibility. Many colleges also use FAFSA data to award their own institutional aid.
Texas residents who are not eligible to file a FAFSA, may complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) form to determine eligibility for state and institutional funding.
It may seem early, but it will help you to be fully prepared! And be sure to include the federal school code for any school you are interested in attending, when you complete the FAFSA. If you don’t know your school’s code, check this website.
After you complete and submit the FAFSA, you’ll receive your Student Aid Report. You’ll want to review all of the financial aid offers you receive. You can even compare the offers you receive from different schools to determine all of the costs and the best option for you. Click below to learn how to calculate the net pricing of your offers.
When you’ve made your decision about where you want to go to school, your financial aid office will apply all of the aid you have received against your tuition and fee charges first. If your aid exceeds your charges, you are entitled to the remainder of the funds to assist with your indirect expenses.
In order to keep most forms of financial aid, you must maintain a certain GPA (varies by institution) and make satisfactory academic progress toward your degree. And don’t forget that you must complete a new FAFSA every year!
Source: studentaid.gov