Financial Aid Resources
What is financial aid?
Financial aid is money supplied by a source other than the family to assist with the cost of attending college. Financial aid comes in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. All students should apply for aid regardless of family income status.
Completing the FAFSA or TASFA is a Graduation Requirement.
In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.0256, each student enrolled in 12th grade must do one of the following in order to graduate:
- Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); or
- Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA); or
- Submit a signed opt-out form (Download the opt-out form in English or Spanish)
More information on this new requirement can be found on the Texas Education Agency website.
FAFSA and TASFA Completion Benefits All Students: (All financial aid information is kept confidential. EMS ISD will ONLY receive completion status information from Apply Texas.)
- The FAFSA must be completed to apply for grants, loans, and study-work. The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid provides more than $120 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to help pay for college or trade schools.
- Many students are eligible to receive financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college and trade schools.
- Research indicates two-thirds of most living wage jobs will require a postsecondary credential. Training for such credentials can be expensive and entrance applications can be challenging. EMS ISD is committed to preparing all students for the transition from high school to multiple pathways after graduation including college, career, and military.
- Financial aid increases with college costs. Most colleges, state agencies, and scholarship foundations require the FAFSA to award scholarships to offset this increase in cost.
- FAFSA is a prerequisite for Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Grad PLUS loans, and Parent Plus Loans. These loans are available without regard to demonstrated financial need and have lower interest rates than private loans.
Please visit your campus counseling team for additional information.
Students can apply for federal financial aid by completing and submitting the FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The U.S. Department of Education uses FAFSA information to determine a student's eligibility for need-based federal aid, including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Student Loans, and Federal Work-Study. This information is then forwarded to institutions of higher education who calculate financial aid awards for each admitted student.
Federal financial aid is available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible non-citizens. For example, students who have a T visa or a parent with a T-1 visa are eligible to receive federal financial aid.
Students will need a FAFSA on file to qualify for most state and institutional aid, including grants and scholarships.
FAFSA Application Available: October 1
Texas State Priority Completion Deadline: January 15
Federal Completion Deadline: June 30
Students who are not eligible for Federal Aid, but are residents of Texas are eligible for state aid and may submit a TASFA - Texas Application for State Financial Aid. Students do not fill out both a FAFSA and a TASFA for the same school.
To be considered a Texas resident and to qualify for state aid, students must meet these four provisions:
- Graduate from a public or private high school, or receive a high school equivalency in Texas.
- Reside in Texas for at least three years (36 months) leading up to high school graduation or receiving a GED.
- Reside in Texas for 12 consecutive months right before the semester the student enrolls in college.
- Provide the institution a notarized affidavit stating that the student will submit an application to become a US permanent resident as soon as they are eligible to do so.
Currently, there is no electronic TASFA application. Students submitting a TASFA application will need to submit a paper application to each college they apply.
Download and complete the TASFA Application
TASFA Application Available: October 1
Priority Completion Deadline: January 15
Completion Deadline: June 30