Financial Aid FAQ
How do I apply for financial aid?
Students can apply for financial aid by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). If you are a US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident you should complete a FAFSA. If you are neither a US Citizen nor permanent resident but graduated from a Texas High School you should complete a TASFA.
The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.gov. Students can receive assistance to complete the FAFSA at UTRGV U Central at the computer lab area.
The TASFA can be found at www.utrgv.edu/finaid under the Forms section for the appropriate year. Students that need assistance in completing the TASFA should come to U Central or schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Advisor.
The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.gov. Students can receive assistance to complete the FAFSA at UTRGV U Central at the computer lab area.
The TASFA can be found at www.utrgv.edu/finaid under the Forms section for the appropriate year. Students that need assistance in completing the TASFA should come to U Central or schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Advisor.
What do I need to apply for FAFSA or TAFSA
In order to complete the FAFSA or TASFA you will need your and your Contributor's (if applicable)
- Most current year tax return
- W2s
- Or other income information
- A biographical information from student and Contributors
- Contributors marital status informaton
How do I apply for financial aid?
Students can apply for financial aid by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).
If you are a US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident, you should complete a FAFSA. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.gov. Students can receive assistance to complete the FAFSA at UTRGV U Central in the Express lab area.
If you are neither a US Citizen nor a permanent resident but graduated from a Texas High School, you should complete a TASFA. The TASFA can be found at www.utrgv.edu/finaid under the Forms section for the appropriate year. Students that need assistance in completing the TASFA should come to U Central or schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Advisor.
To complete the FAFSA or TASFA you will need the following information for you and your Contributor (if applicable):
For the FAFSA you will also need to obtain a FSA ID (username and password) for both Contributor and student, to log into FAFSA.
If you or your Contributors have already obtained an FSA ID please make sure to bring it with you.
If you are a US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident, you should complete a FAFSA. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.gov. Students can receive assistance to complete the FAFSA at UTRGV U Central in the Express lab area.
If you are neither a US Citizen nor a permanent resident but graduated from a Texas High School, you should complete a TASFA. The TASFA can be found at www.utrgv.edu/finaid under the Forms section for the appropriate year. Students that need assistance in completing the TASFA should come to U Central or schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Advisor.
To complete the FAFSA or TASFA you will need the following information for you and your Contributor (if applicable):
- Your most current year tax return
- W2s
- Biographical information
- Marital status information
- Other income information
For the FAFSA you will also need to obtain a FSA ID (username and password) for both Contributor and student, to log into FAFSA.
If you or your Contributors have already obtained an FSA ID please make sure to bring it with you.
How do I get my FSA ID to complete my FAFSA?
Students, Contributors, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites.
Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. You can create an FSA ID when logging into certain ED websites, including the FAFSA.
The FSA ID process consists of three main steps:
1. Enter your log-in information. Provide your e-mail address, a unique username, and password, and verify that you areat least 13 years old.
2. Enter your personal information. Provide your Social Security number, name, and date of birth. Include your mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, and language preference. For security purposes, provide answers to five challenge questions.
3. Submit your FSA ID information. Agree to the terms and conditions. Verify your e-mail address.
(This is optional, but helpful. By verifying your e-mail address, you can use your e-mail address as your username when logging into certain ED websites. This verification also allows you to retrieve your username or reset your password without answering challenge questions.)
To obtain an FSA ID go to:
https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.
Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. You can create an FSA ID when logging into certain ED websites, including the FAFSA.
The FSA ID process consists of three main steps:
1. Enter your log-in information. Provide your e-mail address, a unique username, and password, and verify that you areat least 13 years old.
2. Enter your personal information. Provide your Social Security number, name, and date of birth. Include your mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, and language preference. For security purposes, provide answers to five challenge questions.
3. Submit your FSA ID information. Agree to the terms and conditions. Verify your e-mail address.
(This is optional, but helpful. By verifying your e-mail address, you can use your e-mail address as your username when logging into certain ED websites. This verification also allows you to retrieve your username or reset your password without answering challenge questions.)
To obtain an FSA ID go to:
https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.
What if I (or my Contributors) have applied for an extension to file our tax return?
Unfortunately, we will not be able to process your verification until your taxes have been officially filed with the IRS and you have submitted your IRS Tax Transcript and supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Office. You financial aid awards will not disburse until verification is complete.
What if I wasn't required to file a federal tax return? My Contributors are divorced, Am I required to submit my step-Contributor's information for verification? What if they don't support me financially?
Requiring to file is determined by the IRS. If you earn more than the income threshold, you are required to file. If you earn below the income threshold, then you may only need to submit your W-2 form(s) as proof of your income.
For those that earn self employment income of over $400 a year, they are required to file.
If you don't have social security number, you must apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number.
For more information please vist www.irs.gov. Yes, you must provide your step-Contributor's income information and all other requested information. The U.S. Department of Education requires that you submit all requested information for the Contributor(s) with whom you live and also anyone married to the Contributor with whom you live.
For those that earn self employment income of over $400 a year, they are required to file.
If you don't have social security number, you must apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number.
For more information please vist www.irs.gov. Yes, you must provide your step-Contributor's income information and all other requested information. The U.S. Department of Education requires that you submit all requested information for the Contributor(s) with whom you live and also anyone married to the Contributor with whom you live.
If my Contributors don't support me, am I required to submit their information for verification?
If you are a dependent student, you Contributors must submit all financial information requested by UTRGV, regardless of whether they support you or intend to continue supporting you.
What documentation is required as proof for child support paid?
Acceptable forms of documentation include: child support paid worksheet (found at www.utrgv.edu/finaid under Forms section), a printout from the Attorney General's Office, showing amounts paid, or a detailed bank statement showing debits from the Attorney General's Office.
What type of documentation must be submitted as proof for claiming to be an orphan, a ward of the court, in foster care or emancipated minor?
If you are an orphan and were not adopted prior to turning 13, please provide death certificates for both of your Contributors & student's birth certificate.
If you are a ward of the court provide the court document that shows that you were a ward of the court after age 13 in the state of your legal residence.
If you were in foster care please provide the court document that shows that you were in foster care after age 13.
If you are or were an emancipated minor provide court documents that show you are or were an emancipated minor in the state of your legal residence.
Only official documentation proving you fall under one of these classifications will be accepted as proof, notarized statements will not be accepted. If you have lost your court documents, copies of documents may be obtained from your caseworker or they can be requested at the court. If you are not an orphan, a ward of the court, in foster care, or emancipated minor you will need to correct your FAFSA and include your Contributors' information and signature in order for your application to be official.
If you are a ward of the court provide the court document that shows that you were a ward of the court after age 13 in the state of your legal residence.
If you were in foster care please provide the court document that shows that you were in foster care after age 13.
If you are or were an emancipated minor provide court documents that show you are or were an emancipated minor in the state of your legal residence.
Only official documentation proving you fall under one of these classifications will be accepted as proof, notarized statements will not be accepted. If you have lost your court documents, copies of documents may be obtained from your caseworker or they can be requested at the court. If you are not an orphan, a ward of the court, in foster care, or emancipated minor you will need to correct your FAFSA and include your Contributors' information and signature in order for your application to be official.
Can I email, fax or upload a copy of my proof of citizenship or permanent residency?
Yes, at your discretion, proof of citizenship or permanent residency can now be faxed, e-mailed, or uploaded.