FAFSA & Financial Aid

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FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid

  • Federal student aid is money that students can use to help pay for college.
  • There are three main types of aid: grants, work-study, and loans.
  • Everyone should apply for federal student aid regardless of income.  The FAFSA calculates a SAI (Student Aid Index) which can be used for other types of merit aid, state aid and some scholarships require it.  Read about more reasons here.
  • Students not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to citizenship status may be eligible to complete the TAFSA (Texas Application For State Financial Aid)
  • The 2026-2027 FAFSA will open on October 1st.  (Class of 2026 will attend college in the Fall of 2026 and Spring of 2027)
  • Complete the FAFSA by January 15, 2026 to meet the Texas Priority Deadline for additional Texas Grants and Texas Institution Grants.
  • It is a Texas Graduation Requirement to complete the FAFSA OR TAFSA OR to submit an Opt Out Form, Students must upload proof of their submission of FAFSA/TASFA or their Official TEA Opt Out Form to the 2026 Anderson Financial Aid Graduation Required Document form. Read more here.

Financial Aid Information sessions and workshop events

Austin ISD Parent U Paying for College: What Parents should know

Wednesday, October 1 - 6pm to 7pm

Informative session on financial aid, scholarships, and smart ways to pay for college. We'll walk you though FAFSA/TASFA, scholarship opportunities, important deadlines, and how you can support your student through the financial side of the college process. This session will be in English and Spanish.

Registration Link for Parent U

FAFSA Workshops @ Anderson Library – Volunteers provided by Opportunity Austin

  • October 9 at 5:30   - we will post a registration link by 10/1

 

Useful Links about FAFSA: