TASFA is getting an upgrade!

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Apr 13, 2022 1:24:42 PM
We’ve got news, everyone. Starting next October, students will have the option to complete t he Texas Application for State Financial Aid ( TASFA ) online!

You probably already know that the TASFA is a free application that collects information to help determine eligibility for state (or institutional) financial aid for non-citizen Texas students, international students, and other students who cannot complete the FAFSA. It’s currently housed as a downloadable document that your student and their family fill out and either mail or upload to universities or colleges to receive state financial aid.   

Starting in October 2022, the process will be simplified. Students will be able to fill out and submit their application completely electronically, and counselors can easily check completion.   

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Topics: Finances, College Planning, Students and Families, High School, Financial Aid

Your Students May Need to Correct Their Pell

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Apr 13, 2022 12:22:40 PM

Some college-bound seniors may be eligible for more financial aid than they were awarded this spring but will need to take steps to correct their information. Your students deserve to receive the full reward amount they’re eligible for. We know they’re going through the financial aid process for the first time and aren’t likely to know how to navigate this challenge.  Don’t worry though, we’ve got the right information to share with your students and their families before school’s out for the summer.

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Topics: Finances, College Planning, Students and Families, High School, Financial Aid

Webinar: Financial Literacy for Your High School Students

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Mar 24, 2022 2:53:50 PM

The sun is shining, and the birds are chirping – happy spring, y’all! We’re happy to bring you new resources to use in your classroom. Our guests for this webinar have some incredible free materials that are filled with helpful information on financial literacy and options for life after high school.  

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Topics: Webinar, Finances, Educators, Students and Families, Financial Aid

Academic Planning Basics for Counselors: What You Need to Know about Endorsements, Graduation Plans, College Credits and More

Posted by Thema Reed, Texas OnCourse on Jun 3, 2021 5:10:53 PM

One of the biggest hurdles middle school students face before entering ninth grade is planning their courses for high school. Once a student enters high school, they have the opportunity to revisit their course plans, explore work-based learning options, and take courses for college credit.

To graduate high school, Texas students are required to complete 22 credits as part of the Foundation High School Program. Students can customize their high school experience by completing additional requirements and graduating with an endorsement, the Distinguished Level of Achievement, and performance acknowledgments. It’s really important that students understand their options based on their future goals. For example, the Distinguished Level of Achievement is mandatory for students to be eligible for Texas’ Top Ten Percent program.

Texas students face a competitive and ever-evolving job market. Understanding their course options and putting together a strong graduation plan helps ensure that students will graduate from high school with the resources and knowledge they need to succeed in college or their chosen career. 

This article outlines the basics of academic planning for educators. For more in-depth information, including resources, handouts, and tips for implementing this information in the classroom, check out the Academic Planning badge in the Texas OnCourse Academy.

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Topics: Finances, Educators, High School, Financial Aid

Six Things to Avoid When Applying for Scholarships

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Mar 9, 2021 12:57:09 PM

High school students have so much on their plate. If they’re pursuing some form of higher education, their last years of high school are likely to be filled with exams, applications, essays and one big question: How am I going to pay for this?

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Topics: Finances, High School, Financial Aid, Scholarships

Scholarship Basics for Educators: What You Need to Know about QuestBridge, NMSQT and more

Posted by Thema Reed, Texas OnCourse on Jan 25, 2021 3:32:41 PM

Searching and applying for scholarships can take a lot of time for educators and students alike. And we get why – students are often both excited and overwhelmed by going to college and taking on the cost that comes with it. As an educator, it’s your job to help students navigate their remaining time in high school, finalize their postsecondary plans, and help minimize student debt. This blog will walk you through the basics of scholarships so you can be prepared to support your students through this exciting time.

Like students, scholarships come in all shapes and sizes, and there are more scholarships now than ever before! We'll go over all the things that educators need to know about scholarships, including links to additional articles, webinars, videos, and other resources. And don’t forget to refer to the ultimate source for all postsecondary planning information for professionals: the Texas OnCourse Academy.

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Topics: Educators, High School, Financial Aid, Scholarships

Financial Aid Basics for Counselors: What You Need to Know about the FAFSA, TASFA, and More

Posted by Thema Reed, Texas OnCourse on Oct 20, 2020 11:42:31 AM

Thinking about paying for college can seem like a daunting task for high school students and their families. After all, the average college cost has increased more than 25% in the last 10 years. Luckily, students have more financial aid opportunities now than ever before.

It’s important for high school counselors to understand the impacts of rising student debt. They should also note the different avenues available to pay for college and reduce student loans. Applications like the FAFSA, TASFA, and CSS Profile can seem overwhelming, but the benefit for eligible students can be huge.

In this guide, we'll include links to additional articles, webinars, videos, and other resources. And don’t forget to refer to the ultimate source for all postsecondary planning information for professionals: the Texas OnCourse Academy.

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Topics: Finances, Educators, High School, Financial Aid

COVID-19 Update: Scholarships

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Oct 14, 2020 4:32:53 PM

With National Scholarship Month just around the corner, we’ve started getting some questions about how COVID-19 will impact scholarships.

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Topics: College Planning, Coronavirus, High School, Financial Aid

How to Adjust Your FAFSA Strategy due to COVID-19

Posted by Leader Fellow Alum Holly Moore on Oct 13, 2020 4:06:47 PM

When we heard that Texas OnCourse leader fellow alum Holly Moore increased her campus’ FAFSA completion by a whopping 21% in 2017–2018, we had to learn more! We interviewed her about her process and what she did differently than the year before. Holly is now a college counselor at Uplift Grand Preparatory but made this incredible progress while she was at Grand Prairie ISD in 2017. There were approximately 2,400 students at her school, and she worked with approximately 720 seniors each year.

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Topics: Finances, Educators, Coronavirus, Financial Aid

COVID-19 Update: FAFSA Updates

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Oct 2, 2020 12:28:16 PM

Happy October! You know what the first day of October means: The FAFSA is officially open! Today, we have a couple of important FAFSA and financial aid updates to share with you.

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Topics: College Planning, Coronavirus, Financial Aid