If you are in need of financial assistance, make sure your FAFSA lists Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University's federal school code is 003632.

In order to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must submit a FAFSA each year. It is available on or after October 1 of the year prior to enrollment. For example, the FAFSA for the 2020-2021 academic year can be submitted on or after October 1, 2019. In order to ensure your file is ready for awarding, we recommend that you submit your FAFSA by the recommended submission date as listed below. 
 

Scroll Table Left and Right

Semester Aid Needed	Recommended Submission Date
Fall Only or Fall-Spring	December 15
Spring Only	September 30
Summer Only	February

FAFSA Application Process

• FAFSA will open October 1 the year prior to enrollment.
• A FAFSA is required in order to be considered for federal and state financial aid
• A FAFSA may be completed online at studentaid.ed.gov/sa

FSA ID

The FSA ID (a user name and password) is used to log into  U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents. If you do not already have a FSA ID, you can create one when creating an account with studentaid.ed.gov/sa.

The security of your FSA ID is important. Your FSA ID can be used to:

• Electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents,
• Access your personal records
• Finalize binding legal obligations

Student Aid Report (SAR)

A SAR is a transcript of the information provided on the FAFSA. The SAR is available to be received by paper mail or email. If you would like to receive it by email, it will be sent to the email address provided on the FAFSA. The email address provided is shared with each of the schools listed on the FAFSA for correspondence purposes. Texas A&M officially communicates with students through their assigned Texas A&M Gmail account. For more information about your Texas A&M Gmail account please log onto google.tamu.edu. You may sign up for a Texas A&M Gmail account once you have been admitted to TAMU.

In 2001, legislation was passed by the State of Texas to allow certain categories of foreign students to meet state requirements for residency. This classification enables these students to pay resident tuition and fee rates while attending public institutions of higher education in Texas in addition to meeting residency requirements for some state financial aid programs.

To receive this classification, you must be able to meet one of the three criteria below.

• You must hold a visa that enables you to domicile in the United States*. You (or your parent, if you are a dependent) must be gainfully employed in Texas for at least 12 months preceding enrollment.
• You (regardless of INS status) have petitioned for permanent residency status (have filed an I-130 or I-140).
• You have resided in Texas for 36 consecutive months leading up to graduation from high school or the receipt of a GED certificate, living at least part of that time with a parent or court-appointed legal guardian. You have not established a residence in another state or location and have not taken ANY college hours prior to fall 2001 that required admission to an institution of higher education. (This includes hours taken through dual enrollment while attending high school).

Residency is determined by the Office of the Registrar.  For more information on eligibility requirements and the Affidavit of Intent to Become a Permanent Resident, please view Residency for Tuition Purposes. If you qualify for Resident status based on the criteria, you are eligible to apply for State aid. For more information and to apply, please download the TASFA from the Forms page.

*For more information regarding visas that enable you to domicile in the United States, please view the table of Immigration Visa Types.

When applying for federal student aid, the information you report on the FAFSA is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The formula used to calculate your EFC is established by law and is used to measure your family's financial strength on the basis of your family's income, assets, family size and number of family members in post-secondary education. The EFC is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid as well as other student aid programs. Cost of Attendance (COA) is also referred to as a budget. Financial need is determined by subtracting the EFC from the COA. Please see the formula below.

    Cost of Attendance (COA)
-   Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
=  Financial Need

Your eligibility for need-based aid is determined by subtracting other outside financial assistance (scholarships) from the calculated financial need. Students are not allowed to receive aid that exceeds their Cost of Attendance.

    Cost of Attendance (COA)
-   Financial Aid Awarded So Far*
=  Eligibility for Non-need-based Aid

*Includes aid from all sources, including private scholarships

What Happens Next?

After the FAFSA: What Happens Next
 

If you are enrolled in summer courses at Texas A&M, we encourage you to complete the Summer Supplement on howdy.tamu.edu. By completing this online form, you are notifying Texas A&M of all outside scholarships that are to be received during the summer sessions. To complete the form, visit the financial aid portal and select the link “Summer Supplement” under the Status page. The FAFSA from the previous fall and spring semester must be on file in order to determine your financial aid eligibility.
 

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