Cash for College

The first step toward help with college expenses is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It's an online or paper form provided by the federal government where you list your family's financial resources. It's then sent to financial aid offices at colleges of your choice.

Submitting it can lead to federal aid, including Pell Grants and direct student loans. But it also unlocks state and institutional grants and loans, according to Kristina Tirloni, spokeswoman for TG, a public nonprofit in Austin created by the Legistature to facilitate lending and promote education access.

"Many families think they make too much money to qualify for financial aid, But if you want institutional aid, like scholarships or state aid likth the Texsas Grant or the Texas B-on-Time loan program, you have to fill out the FAFSA," she said.

The state's Top Ten Percent Scholarship — up to $2000 for students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class — also requires a FAFSA.

Most Texas students don't fill out the form, however, Tirloni said. During 2011-12 just 43 percent of high school seniors in the state — 44 percent in the Metroplex — completed the FAFSA, according to TG's report, "State of Student Aid and Higher Education in Texas," released last month.

"Don't let your financial picture keep you from goint to college," Tirloni said. "FAFSA is the first step in the process."

Ninety percent of students who finish the form attend college, according to the Education Department. And low-income students who complete it are 235 percent more likely to attend, according to the Central Texas Student Fututes Project.

"Cost is the No. 1 problem facing high school seniors thinking of attending college," said Clint Bond, spokesman for the Fort Worth school district."When we survey our students about their decision to pursue higher education, financial concerns become the top issue," he said.

In partnership with local colleges, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and other groups, the school district is holding help sessions at high schools this month and next to show families how to fill out the FAFSA, college applications and other forms. "The sessions are open to the public," Bond said. "So far, more than 100 students have attended a session, a 'definite increase' over last year, he said.

A new FAFSA completion search tool developed by TG shows that many local students have yet to complete the form this year. Of 21.600 students in Tarrant County scheduled to graduate this spring, just 1842 had completed the form as of February 1^st. Deadlines for some schools are fast approaching. The deadline for UT, Austin is March 15^th, UT, Arlington's deadline is April 1^st, the TCU deadline is May 1^st, but recommends that applications be submitted by March 15^th.

References:
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Follow the prompts and explanations. You can submit this form online or by mail.
• Check out the FAFSA4caster, an online estimate of your aid and expected family contribution (EFC). FAFSA4caster
• The IRS data retrieval tool transfers federal tax data into your FAFSA for speed and accuracy. Look for the prompt when filling out the FAFSA. Your tax return must have been completed by the IRS two week prior.
• Get your PIN now: To sign your FAFSA online, you need a Personal Identivication Number, which takes two or more days to receive.
• Get help online: Adventures in Education www.aie.org has helpful videos.
• Get help by phone: The Federal Student Aid Information Center hotline is 800-433-3243. The Texas Financial Air Information Center is 888-311-881. It begins in Spanish then English.

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