What Is the TASFA? A Complete Guide for Texas Families
The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) helps Texas residents who are not eligible for the FAFSA access state grants, scholarships, and institutional aid. Ms. Thrash provides expert guidance to help families understand TASFA requirements, complete the application correctly, and meet important deadlines.
Important: FAFSA or TASFA completion is now a high school graduation requirement for the state of Texas. Every senior must complete FAFSA, TASFA, or submit the official Opt-Out form.
Who Should Complete the TASFA?
Students who are Texas residents but not eligible to complete the FAFSA should complete the TASFA to access state financial aid. Completing the TASFA enables Texas residents to apply for state grants, scholarships, and institutional aid, making college more accessible and affordable.
Ms. Thrash helps families determine which application is appropriate and guides you through each step to ensure accuracy and compliance with Texas graduation requirements.
Common TASFA Applicants
- ✓ Certain non-U.S. citizens who meet Texas residency requirements
- ✓ Students who cannot receive federal Pell Grants or federal student loans
- ✓ Texas residents not eligible for the FAFSA
Important Reminder
Every Texas high school senior must complete one of the following to meet graduation requirements:
- • Complete the FAFSA
- • Complete the TASFA
- • Submit the official Opt-Out form
FAFSA vs TASFA: Understanding the Difference
You'll only complete one application—either FAFSA or TASFA, not both. Understanding which application you're eligible for is the first step in accessing financial aid for college.
| Application | What It Covers | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|
| FAFSA | Federal, state, and institutional aid | U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens |
| TASFA | State and institutional aid only | Texas residents not eligible for FAFSA |
What You'll Need Before Starting the TASFA
Gather these documents and information before you begin to make the TASFA application process smoother and more efficient.
Student Documents
- • Student W-2 forms
- • Student tax transcripts or tax returns
- • Student's college ID number (if available)
Parent/Family Information
- • Parent or spouse W-2 forms (if applicable)
- • Parent or spouse tax transcripts (if applicable)
- • Household size and number of dependents
How to Complete the TASFA
There are two ways to complete the TASFA: online or by paper. Choose the method that works best for your situation. Ms. Thrash can guide you through either process to ensure accuracy.
Online TASFA
- ✓ Available in English on the College for All Texans website
- ✓ A Spanish paper version is available as a reference guide
- ✓ Automatically submitted to colleges when completed online
Paper TASFA
- ✓ Download for 2026–27 or 2025–26 academic year
- ✓ Available in English and Spanish (Copia en Español)
- ✓ Submit directly to each college's financial aid office
Important: If applying to multiple colleges, submit a signed copy to each one. Verify submission method (mail, upload, or in-person) with each school.
TASFA Deadlines and Important Dates
Meeting deadlines is critical to maximize your financial aid opportunities. Ms. Thrash recommends applying early since funding is limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
State Priority Deadline
January 15 each year — This is the priority deadline for Texas state financial aid consideration.
Submitting by this date significantly increases your chance of receiving aid. Late applications are still accepted but may receive reduced or no funding.
College-Specific Deadlines
Each college sets its own financial aid deadlines — these vary by institution.
Check with each college's financial aid office to confirm their specific deadline. Apply early to maximize your opportunities since institutional aid is also limited.
After You Submit Your TASFA
Once you've submitted your TASFA application, there are important next steps to ensure your financial aid is processed correctly.
Contact your college's financial aid office to confirm they received your TASFA.
Each school reviews your TASFA to determine your eligibility for state and institutional aid.
Be ready to provide additional documents if requested by the financial aid office.
Common Questions About TASFA
Texas residents who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA should complete the TASFA to access state and institutional financial aid. Ms. Thrash can help you determine if the TASFA is the right application for your specific situation and guide you through the completion process.
No. You should only complete one application—either FAFSA or TASFA, not both. Submitting both may delay your financial aid processing and create confusion with your college's financial aid office.
TASFA provides access to state and institutional aid only. This includes Texas state grants, scholarships from your college, and other institutional financial aid programs.
TASFA does not provide access to federal aid such as Pell Grants or federal student loans, which are only available through the FAFSA.
No. The TASFA is completely free to complete and submit. There are no application fees or processing charges.
You can still submit your TASFA after January 15, but your financial aid may be reduced or unavailable depending on remaining funds. State and institutional aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis with limited funding.
Ms. Thrash strongly recommends submitting your TASFA as early as possible—ideally by the priority deadline—to maximize your financial aid opportunities.
Get Expert Help with Your TASFA Application
Don't navigate the TASFA process alone. Ms. Thrash is here to help you complete your application correctly, meet all deadlines, and maximize your financial aid opportunities. With personalized support, you'll submit your TASFA with confidence.