How to Apply

How to Apply

The first step in the financial aid process is to apply for aid, and our office is here to help. Below is information about how to submit financial aid applications for the academic year and summer. We’ve also included information about applying for aid as a non-citizen Texas resident as well as for study away programs. Of course, if you ever have any questions about your financial aid, please contact us.

Exterior bobcat trail focusing on the fountain with the academic services building cutoff in the background.

Apply for Fall and Spring Aid

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or renewal FAFSA. In order to maximize your financial aid, you should submit your FAFSA prior to January 15 for the upcoming academic year. If you are a non-citizen who is a Texas resident, complete a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).

You will need to complete a FAFSA for each academic year.

Apply for Summer Financial Aid

Applying for summer financial aid is fairly straightforward. For more details and the necessary application, visit our Summer Financial Aid page.

Exterior picture covering the beginning steps to Alkek library looking towards the UAC building in the background.
In the top right an up close of the theater center can be seen looking towards Old Main in the background.

Apply for State Aid As A Non-Citizen, Texas Resident

If you are a foreign student or non-citizen, you may be eligible to be classified as a Texas resident for tuition purposes. If so, you may also be eligible to receive state financial aid. For more information, visit our Texas Application for State Aid.

Apply for Education Abroad Aid

The process to apply for financial aid for education abroad programs is the same as when taking courses on campus. For more information, visit our Education Abroad page.

Exterior of bobcat trail looking towards the fountain with the North and South Academic Services Buildings in the background, and the Commons Dining hall to the right.
Exterior walking towards Bobcat trail, on the left showing the colorful mural on the Paws N Go wall.

Apply for National Student Exchange Aid

The process to apply for financial aid for National Student Exchange programs is the same as when taking courses on campus. For more information, visit our National Student Exchange page.

Helpful Hints

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    • Our office will receive your FAFSA information approximately 5 days after you have submitted the FAFSA.
    • We then review your FAFSA information. This review process will take 3-4 days, and we may ask you for additional documents to verify your FAFSA data. Check your Texas State Self-Service to see if we have requested documentation.
    • Be sure not to submit any additional documents, such as tax transcripts, unless our office requests them of you. Providing us with documents that we have not requested will delay the processing of your financial aid.
    • Once the requested documents are received by our office, or if no additional documents were originally requested, our office will award you financial aid.

    • You will be notified via email.
    • The email will direct you to your Texas State Self-Service Login.
    • You can view, as well as accept, your awards under Financial Aid, by clicking Awards and then Accept Award Offer.
    • Only after you accept your awards will we begin processing your aid.
    • Be sure to check each individual award message (by clicking the fund name) prior to accepting your awards and determine what steps you must take in order for your aid to be made available to you. For example, if you have been awarded a federal student loan and are a first-time borrower at Texas State, you will need to complete entrance loan counseling and a master promissory note.

    • Be sure not to submit any additional documents, such as tax transcripts, unless our office requests them of you. Providing us with documents that we have not requested will delay the processing of your financial aid.
    • Do not wait until you've been accepted to Texas State to apply for financial aid.
    • File your FAFSA as soon after October 1st as possible—keeping in mind our January 15 priority deadline. If necessary, you may estimate your income on the FAFSA if you have not yet filed your tax return.
    • When filling out step 6 of your FAFSA, be sure to list Texas State and its Title IV school code—003615.
    • If your parents are divorced or separated, answer the parent questions using the information about the parent you lived with the most during the past 12 months. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, give answers about the parent who provided you the most financial support during the last 12 months, or during the most recent year that you received support from a parent. If this parent is remarried as of today, answer the parent questions using the information about that parent and the person your parent married (your stepparent).
    • Be sure you leave no question unanswered—fill in questions that do not apply with a zero, depending on the specific information requested.
    • Before submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), make sure that it is complete, accurate and includes all necessary signatures.