In the News

February 04, 2009. Updated Feb. 24, 2009.

Texas residents get extra help with FAFSA this month!

Many students and their families realize going to college is important, but may not seek a higher education because of the costs associated with going. They don’t realize there are funds available to help meet expenses that can be accessed by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

This February, students and families will have the opportunity, through special FAFSA-related events, to get more information about receiving federally-funded financial aid for college. To help Texas students and families understand this important form, volunteers from colleges and universities, THECB, and TG Ambassadors will be on-hand to answer general questions and manage a phone bank during live telecasts in certain Texas cities. Volunteers will be available to answer questions in English and Spanish.

Special emphasis has been given to some select Texas areas because of special considerations within the communities, including:

The low overall number of college-bound students, and
The low socio-economic status within the community

The telecast schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, February 10, 2009
– KSAT-TV, San Antonio, 6:00 AM - 10:30 PM CST
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
– KFDM-TV, Beaumont/Port Arthur, 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM CST
Thursday, February 12, 2009
– KAKW-TV, Austin, 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM CST
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
– KUVN-TV, Dallas/Fort Worth, 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM CST
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
– KWEX-TV, San Antonio, 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM CST
Thursday, February 19, 2009
– KINT-TV, El Paso, 6:00 PM - 11:30 PM CST
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
– KXLN-TV, Houston, 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM CST
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
– KCBD-TV, Lubbock, 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM CST
Thursday, February 26, 2009
– KLTV/KTRE-TV, Tyler/Longview/Lufkin/Nacogdoches,
5:00 PM - 10:30 PM CST

Note: Students and parents are encouraged to call-in no matter where they reside in Texas.

The FAFSA is the central element in the student aid application process. The information that students and their parents provide on this form serves as the basis for determining their eligibility for federal student aid. This same form is used to determine eligibility for state and institutional aid programs.

Undocumented Texas residents, while not eligible for federal financial aid, may still qualify for state and institutional aid. Individuals must complete the FAFSA, or the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid), and submit the form to the college they plan on attending. Financial aid offices at postsecondary institutions can provide further guidance on which form must be filled out.

For more information on college financial aid, students and parents are encouraged to call the Texas Financial Aid Information Center at (888) 311-8881 or visit College For All Texans.com.

Source: Adventures In Education