FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
If your students are seeking financial assistance for the Spring 2008, Summer 2008 or Fall 2008 semesters, they will need to complete the 2008-2009 FAFSA, which became available on January 1, 2007. Make sure the financial aid application lists Texas A&M as a school to receive their information electronically. Texas A&M University’s federal school code is 003632. Remind your students to complete all applicable sections and carefully review all information for accuracy.

Students may obtain the paper FAFSA from their high school counselor, local Texas A&M Prospective Student Center, Texas A&M’s Department of Student Financial Aid, or they can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Results from the paper FAFSA can take three to five weeks to be sent to Texas A&M, whereas the online FAFSA results can be received by Texas A&M within one week in most cases. We recommend completing the application online for quicker results.

PIN Information for the FAFSA
Encourage your students to electronically sign their FAFSA by using a Personal Identification Number (PIN). If the student doesn’t already have a PIN, they can apply for a PIN online at www.pin.ed.gov. If the student is dependent, their parent(s) also need a PIN to sign the FAFSA electronically. FAFSA processing is expedited when both the student and parent sign the FAFSA electronically.

Federal Parent Loan (PLUS Loan)
The Federal Parent Loan (PLUS) is available to the parents of dependent, undergraduate students. The parent may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance (excluding any other financial aid). An origination fee of 3% is collected upon disbursement. All funds are received electronically and posted to the student’s billing account to pay University authorized tuition and fees. Parents can apply online for this loan at financialaid.tamu.edu/plus.

SB 1528 (formerly HB 1403)
Applicants to Texas A&M University whose residency is based upon Senate Bill 1528 are eligible for several scholarships and several state-funded grant and loan programs, including the College Access Loan (CAL), TEXAS Grant and Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG). To be eligible for these programs, students must submit the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) located online under the forms link at financialaid.tamu.edu.

Extenuating Circumstances
If a student has experienced extreme changes in their personal life or financial situation, they should contact our department to speak with a member of our Financial Aid Team.
Circumstances that may be considered include, but are not limited to:

• loss of employment
• loss of benefits
• medical expenses
• separation or divorce

Before an adjustment can be considered, additional documentation may be required. Once the required documentation has been submitted, a review of the circumstance will occur. All information is considered confidential and will be retained by the University.
Some students are automatically independent; in other words, they may file the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA without including parental information. In order to qualify for independent status, a student must be able to meet and document at least one of the following conditions:

1. Be born before January 1, 1984 for the 2007-2008 academic year.
2. Be a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
3. Be an orphan or ward of the court or was a ward of the court until age 18.
4. Have legal dependents, other than a spouse, for whom you provide more than 50 percent support.
5. Be graduate or professional student admitted to the University.
6. Be a currently married student.

Occasionally, unusual circumstances may exist that warrant a review of a student’s dependency status. Students that would like their dependency status reviewed should schedule an appointment by contacting our department at (979) 845-3236. Please Note: Providing information for extenuating circumstances does not guarantee that an adjustment will be forthcoming.

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