Published On: March 9th, 2022By Leticia Fehling

Families of Junior High School Students Can Register to Join Virtual Financial Aid Session on March 23

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month, and there is no better time to start learning and planning if your child plans to attend college. There are many financial aid opportunities out there for students. Click here to get the FAFSA basics, understand financial aid related to COVID, and helpful tools to navigate all ways financial aid can help you pay for college.

New State Requirement for Graduation

In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature established the new requirement (HB3) for Texas students. Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, students must file a financial aid application (or formally opt-out) to graduate. Districts will be required to report the financial aid application graduation requirement in TSDS PEIMS for each student. Each student must do one of the following:

Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — application typically opens Oct. 1;
Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) — application typically opens Jan. 15; or
Submit a signed opt-out form.
- A student may opt-out of the financial aid application graduation requirement if:
  - a parent or guardian submits a signed form;
  - the student is 18 years of age or older and submits a signed form; or
  - a school counselor authorizes the student to decline to complete and submit the application for a good cause.
TEA has allowed for some exemptions from this requirement. Click here for more information on exemptions.

For More Details

For more details, click here. Students should contact their school counselor about any deadlines to file to walk with their graduating class.

Register for an Information Session

HB3 Information Session on Wednesday, March 23
English Session from 6:00-6:40 p.m.
Spanish Session from 7:00-7:40 p.m.
Link to Register: aldineisd.org/FA