FAFSA/TASFA/Opt-Out graduation requirement:
In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.0256, students enrolled in 12th grade must do ONE of the following in order to graduate:
- Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); OR
- Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA); OR
- Submit a signed TEA FAFSA/TASFA opt-out form
If you are over 18, you may sign the FAFSA Opt-Out form yourself. If you are not over 18, you will need your parents to sign the form. The forms must be taken to room 133 and handed to Ms. Painter or Ms. Spencer. Turning in the Opt-Out form does NOT prevent you from completing the FAFSA in the future, it simply means that you are not going to be able to complete the FAFSA prior to graduation. Copies of the opt-out form are available in room 133.
If you have completed your FAFSA, we must see the evidence. To evidence your FAFSA submission:
From your personal email, forward the email from US Department of Education with the subject line: We've Received Your FAFSA to jill.spencer@austinisd.org.
OR take a screenshot of your FAFSA portal dashboard showing the date that your FAFSA was processed and email to jill.spencer@austinsid.org
We must submit the date the FAFSA or TASFA was processed. Our school is audited annually to ensure that students have completed or opted out of the FAFSA/TASFA process.