Apply for Financial Aid

FAFSA®

In order to receive financial aid for the fall, spring, and summer semester, you must complete the FAFSA®.

• The first step in applying for financial aid is to create a studentaid.gov user id and password by logging on to the department of education's website.  If you are considered a dependent student, your parent may also need to create a studentaid.gov user id and password.
• Once you have created your studentaid.gov username and password, you will need to complete the FAFSA®.
• While completing the FAFSA®, please make sure you add the school code for Texas A&M University Texarkana which is 03170300.  If you need help along the way, please call the Department of Education's 800 number 1-800-433-3243 for assistance.
• Once your FAFSA® is completed, the Department of Education will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR), which is a summary of the FAFSA® data you submitted.  This SAR shouldn't take longer than 3 weeks to be delivered to you.  Be sure to look over you SAR to make sure you didn't make a mistake on your FAFSA®.
• The FAFSA® data is electronically submitted to the schools you indicated you might attend on your FAFSA®.  Texas A & M University Texarkana will use this data to calculate your aid, an offer you a tentative financial aid award. 
• Since the FAFSA® uses prior, prior year income, please let us know if your present income is 50% lower than the amount reported on your FAFSA®.  If your income is 50% less, our financial aid team can work with you to make changes to your FAFSA®.  Just complete our special conditions form to get the conversation started.

Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)

If you are a Texas resident and you are unable to complete the FAFSA®, you are encouraged to apply for state aid from the state of Texas.  You must complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid by March 15th in order to qualify for state aid.  Once this form has been completed, bring it by the financial aid office along with a copy of the tax paperwork or w-2's you used to complete the form.  If you and/or your parents didn't work in the tax year requested, you will need to request a Verification of Non-filing letter from the IRS.  If you are a male, please bring your selective service registration acknowledgement card with you when you turn in the TASFA to our office.

Financial Aid Displacement Advisory Requirements TEC Section 56.0094(b)

Financial aid displacement occurs when a student’s financial aid is reduced due to receipt of a private scholarship, or other reasons identified in the advisory.  This practice occurs in Texas and should be taken into consideration while applying for financial aid.  The institution to which you are applying is providing in this application a list of recommendations describing how to maximize your financial aid and ensure that you are prepared when financial aid displacement occurs.  You are encouraged to reach out to the institution to which you are applying to receive advice on how to avoid financial aid displacement.

A student’s state, federal, or institutional gift aid is most revised or reduced because of:

• Additional gift aid received from any source after the student’s initial award letter has been offered.
• Additional gift aid received from any source that causes the gift aid to go over the student’s cost of attendance.
• Reduced cost of attendance because of a dropped class, attendance lower than full time, a change in housing status, or withdrawing from the institution.
• Failure to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements or other merit-based criteria for the student’s gift aid.
• A change in enrollment that renders the student ineligible for certain gift aid programs.
• Failure to complete required administrative processes or submit documentation by established deadlines
• A change in the students Student Aid Index as a result of verification, updates, and/or corrections to the student’s financial aid application which affects eligibility for some forms of gift aid, or the amount of gift aid the student is eligible to receive.
• Exceeding the institutions policy on receiving institutional aid which prohibits a student from receiving a refund of institutional aid when institutional aid exceeds direct cost.

Financial Aid Displacement Advisory Requirements TEC Section 56.0094(b)

Financial Aid Displacement Advisory

(Why Your Financial Aid Package Might Change)

If you want to receive institutional gift aid (money from TAMUT), you’ll need to submit your TAMUT admissions application.
To get federal or state aid, you must complete the FAFSA.

Try to have both applications done before the first day of fall classes. The earlier you submit everything—especially your FAFSA—the better your chances of receiving grants and other “free money.” Most financial aid (grants, scholarships, exemptions, and loans) is awarded around January 1st, so applying early can really pay off.

Tips to Get the Most Financial Aid

1. Submit your admissions application before January 1 each year.
2. Complete your FAFSA as soon as it opens (October 1 each year).
3. Turn in all required admissions and financial aid documents before January 1.

Tips for a Complete and Accurate Financial Aid Package

1. Report any outside scholarships (from organizations, high schools, etc.) to TAMUT before your initial award letter is created.
2. Submit any waivers to the business office early so they can be included in your financial aid package.

Need Help?

Contact Kayla Jeffries at 903-223-1374, kjefferies@tamut.edu, or email the financial aid office at finaid@tamut.edu.