The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s the first — and possibly most important — step to making college more affordable. Filling out your FAFSA form only takes about 20 minutes and it’s 20 minutes well spent. Don’t wait to get started. The sooner you fill out your form, the better chance you have to get financial aid.

Why the FAFSA?

Filling out the FAFSA is how the federal government awards grants, loans, scholarships and work-study to help you pay for school. Grants, scholarships and work-study are all ways to pay for college that don't require you to pay any money back. That's free money to pay for school. You read that right, we said free.

What do I need to get started?

The FAFSA opens in October for the upcoming school year. Don't wait to fill it out. The sooner you finish your application, the better chance you'll have to get the most financial aid possible.

To get started, you'll need a few things:

• The tax documents you (or your parents) filed this year or the previous year
• Your social security number
• A copy of the 1040 form you used to file your taxes
• An FSA ID created through the Federal Student Aid website

Now, a lot of college students are classified as a “dependent.” That means you’ll need all of the required documents we listed from your parents to help you fill out your FAFSA.

What's next?

Sit down at a computer and start filling out the form. Don't wait, the sooner you fill out your FAFSA the better off you'll be for financial aid. Start your application by visiting fafsa.gov.

We know this process can feel like a lot to take in at once. If you run into any questions, feel free to give us a call. There's a TXWES counselor waiting to help you finish your FAFSA.

Interested in TXWES?

Want to know more about how you can afford our top-tier, private education? Submit your contact info and we'll send you more information about our friendly campus, small classes and professors who know your name. Learn more about TXWES today.