ISFAA

As an international student, you may submit an International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) to be considered for the International Texas Public Education Grant (ITPEG) or the Mexican Citizens with Financial Need Waiver. International students can also apply for scholarships and other funds. If you want to learn more about scholarships and other funding options visit the International Student Services website and our Scholarships website.
  
The ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application) is:

  • An opportunity for international students studying at the College Station campus to qualify for grant aid
  • Meant to supplement funds that a student already has
  • Based on financial need, not academic merit
  • A maximum award of $2,000 to $4,000 per year
The ISFAA is not:
  • A scholarship
  • Related to any other scholarship or financial aid application
  • Full tuition coverage
  • Does not carry the non-resident tuition waiver

Eligibility

The following individuals are NOT eligible:
  • Students with F1 Visas on their first year (but can apply in subsequent years.)
  • Students with J1 Visas.
  • Students enrolled in the professional programs of veterinary medicine and law.
  • Students enrolled at Texas A&M University Galveston, Texas A&M University Qatar, and the Texas A&M Health Science Center (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health, Nursing).
The following individuals ARE eligible
  • Mexican nationals that will be applying for the Mexican Citizens with Financial Need Waiver are eligible with an F1 or J1 visa.
  • International undergraduate and graduate students seeking degrees from the College Station campus.

If you are classified as a Texas Resident by the Office of the Registrar , you can fill out the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). Please review the eligibility criteria to see if you qualify to fill out the TASFA instead of the ISFAA.
Scholarships and Financial Aid will not share your immigration status with anyone. You can review FERPA guidelines to better understand your rights.

We are currently accepting the 2022-2023 ISFAA. The ISFAA application can be found on the Forms page on our website.

You can submit the form either by fax, mail, or uploading through the Financial Aid Portal by following these steps:
  • Log into the Howdy portal at howdy.tamu.edu
  • Click on the Financial Aid Portal Icon
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  • Select Academic Year 2022-2023
  • Click on the Status tab
  • Use the upload documents link in the top of the Status page
Grant funds are limited, so the earlier you can submit the ISFAA, the better! Remember: the ISFAA must be completed each year for you to be reviewed for a grant. Completion of the ISFAA does not guarantee that aid will be awarded.

The priority date for 2022-2023 is May 1st and we suggest that you submit the application as soon as possible for review. We will award ISFAA funds after the May 1st deadline.

Dependent Students*

  • ISFAA Application

  • Parent Tax Returns or Income Statement from their country or employer

  • Parent W-2 (if applicable)

  • Student Tax Returns or Income Statement from their country or employer (if applicable)

  • Student W-2 (if applicable)

  • 1098-T Form (if applicable)

Independent Students*

  • ISFAA Application

  • Student Tax Returns or Income Statement from their country or employer

  • Student W-2 (if applicable)

  • Spouse Tax Returns or Income Statement from their country or employer (if married)

  • Spouse W-2 (if applicable)

  • 1098-T Form (if applicable)

*After your application is reviewed, you may be required to provide additional documents. If so, you will be contacted by a financial aid advisor with more details and instructions. All foreign documents must be translated to English and have amounts converted to US Dollars.
Do
  • Double check documents before submitting. We cannot process documents without all required information and signatures.
  • Submit documents in person, by uploading in the Financial Aid portal, by postal mail, or fax.
  • Check your tamu.edu email and financial aid portal regularly. This is how we communicate with you.
  • Let us know if you have questions. We are here to help via email, over the phone, and in person.
  • Submit the application early! Funding is limited, so you could miss out on funds if you wait to submit your application.
Do NOT:
  • Leave any questions blank on the ISFAA form. ALL questions must have an answer. If you cannot answer a question or submit a document, please check with our office on what to do.
  • Email documents. This is not a secure way to send your personal information.
  • Wait until the priority date to submit the ISFAA. We process ISFAAs by hand, so please give us enough time to review your application and request any missing documents.
  • Submit documents we do not ask you for. This may delay processing and cause you to miss out on money.
The Mexican Citizens with Financial Need Waiver is set to allow a small number of individuals with financial need, who are citizens of Mexico, to enroll in any public university in Texas while paying resident tuition rate.

Eligibility
  • You must be a citizen of Mexico and reside in Mexico
  • You must show financial need
  • You must attend an eligible Texas public university
To apply for this waiver, you must complete the current ISFAA application no later than the 12th class day.