The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) Process

Senate Bill 1528 allows certain students who are “lawfully present” to qualify for in-state tuition and receive state financial aid. Students who are eligible to complete the FAFSA should not complete this application. FAFSA students are automatically considered for federal and state financial aid.

The following five provisions must be met to qualify for the special in-state residency status and state financial aid:

- Be considered “lawfully present” in the United States (DACA, Temporary Protected Status, etc.)

- Graduated from a public or private high school, or received a GED, in Texas,

- Resided in Texas for at least 3 years leading up to high school graduation or receiving a GED,

- Reside in Texas for the 12 months leading up to the semester the student is enrolling in college, and

- Provide the institution of higher education an affidavit stating the student will file an application to become a U.S. permanent resident as soon as he/she is eligible to do so.

The first step is to have the Registrar’s Office determine if you qualify for the special in-state status. Please email the Registrar at residency@collin.edu and include the documentation you have that indicates your lawful status in the United States.

Applying for Aid Using the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)

Once you have been approved for the SB1528 residency, you can find the application on the State of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's (THECB) website here.

Is the TASFA or FAFSA right for me?

Students who are classified by the institution as Texas residents and cannot apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are encouraged to complete the TASFA. To see if you what you may qualify for, please visit Federal Student Aid's "Eligibility for Non-U.S. Citizens" page. Do not complete both the FAFSA and TASFA.

Additional assistance can be found at https://www.highered.texas.gov/students-families/tasfa/tasfa-decision/

Awarding

Eligible students are awarded from the Texas Public Education Grant fund an amount up to $2,000 per semester.

Students can charge their books and supplies against the amount like other financial aid students (provided there is money available after covering tuition and fees).

Any remaining credit balance after paying tuition, fees and books is refunded to the student during the normal financial aid disbursement run.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at FinancialAid@collin.edu