What is the TASFA?
The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is used to collect information to help determine eligibility for state financial aid programs that are administered by institutions of higher education in the state of Texas. Students that are classified as a Texas Resident who cannot apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are encouraged to complete the TASFA.
Should I complete the FAFSA or the TASFA?
| Status | FAFSA | TASFA |
| I am a U.S. Citizen | ✔ | |
| I am a permanent resident with an Alien Registration Card (I-551) | ✔ | |
| I am an eligible non-citizen with an Arrival/Departure Record (I-94) showing one of the following: Refugee, Asylum Granted, Parolee (for a minimum of one year) or Cuban-Haitian entrant | ✔ | |
| I do not meet any of the statuses above but I am classified as a Texas resident. My classification as a Texas resident is NOT due to an in-state scholarship or assistantship. | ✔ |
TASFA Application
The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is available each year starting on Oct. 1.
| 2024-25 TASFA(English) | 2024-25 TASFA (Español) |
Frequently Asked Questions
The TASFA is a paper financial aid application that asks questions similar to the FAFSA. It is only for students who are not eligible to apply for federal financial aid.
Students who are not eligible for federal aid through the FAFSA but are residents of Texas are eligible for state aid and may submit a TASFA.
To be considered a Texas resident and qualify for state aid, students must meet these requirements (in accordance with SB 1528):
- Reside in Texas 12 months prior to enrollment in a higher education institution.
- Graduate from a Texas high school or obtain a GED in Texas.
- Have lived in Texas for 36 months prior to high school graduation.
- Sign an Affidavit of Intent to become a permanent resident. This must also be officially notarized.
You will need to gather the following information:
- Your and your parents' date of birth and other personal information
- Your taxes for the most recent year if you filed
- Your parent's tax returns or tax transcript for the most recent tax year
- If you are a male from the ages of 18 to 25, complete the Verification of Selective Service
Generally, you will need to submit:
- Your federal tax return or tax transcript for the previous year
- Your parents' federal signed tax return or tax transcripts
- Notarized affidavit
- For males, proof that you are registered for Selective Service
Undocumented or non-citizens may be able to be classified as Texas Residents for tuition purposes. If you are a Texas Resident, you qualify for state financial aid.
If your parents live in the U.S. and work, they are required to file an income tax each year even if they do not have a social security number. Immigrant workers can apply for a Tax Identification Number (TIN) when they complete their income tax returns.
Verification is a process in which colleges are asked to 'verify' or check that the information you supplied is correct. All TASFA students are flagged for Verification.
All this means is that you have to provide the Office of Financial Aid with your parents' tax returns/tax transcripts/proof of income along with the Verification worksheet.
Verification worksheets ask for your parents' income or source of financial assistance, such as Social Security benefits. You and your parents will need to sign the worksheet and you must turn it back in to receive financial aid.