# Aggie One Stop

**Source**: https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/apply-for-aid
**Parent**: https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/international-student-scholarships

# Apply for Aid

## Which Application Should I Choose?

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Applying for financial aid is an important part of preparing for your college education. Eligibility for various programs is first determined by your residency status. Once residency is determined, you will know which financial aid application must be completed. Click on the following links to access the financial aid applications.

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### [Free Application for  Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)](https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/apply-for-aid/fafsa)

*\**I am a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen*\
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### [Texas Application for  State Financial Aid (TASFA)](https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/apply-for-aid/tasfa)

*\**I am not a U.S. Citizen but*\
*am a Texas Resident*\
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### [International Student  Financial Aid](https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/apply-for-aid/isfaa)

*\**I am not a U.S. Citizen or Texas Resident*\
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## [Important Dates](#a-importantdates-AHhB5P)

Visit the [Financial Aid Important Dates](https://aggieonestop.tamu.edu/financial-aid/apply-for-aid/financial-aid-important-dates) page to view financial aid application deadlines and disbursement dates.

## [Dependency Status](#a-dependencystatus-vX6ngf)

All applicants for federal student aid are considered either “independent” or “dependent.” Dependent students are required to include information about their parents on the FAFSA®. By answering a few questions, you can get a good idea of which category you fit into.

- Will you be 24 or older by Dec. 31 of the school year for which you are applying for financial aid?
- Will you be working toward a master’s or doctorate degree (such as M.A., M.B.A., M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.)?
- Are you married or separated but not divorced?
- Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
- Do you have dependents (other than children or a spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you?
- At any time since you turned age 13, were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a ward or dependent of the court?
- Are you an emancipated minor or are you in a legal guardianship as determined by a court?
- Are you an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
- Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training?
- Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?\
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If none of the criteria listed above apply to you, you are considered a dependent student and are required to provide your parents’ financial information when completing the FAFSA®. If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are an independent student. You are not required to provide parental information on your FAFSA®.

If you are unable to provide parent information and are experiencing an unusual circumstance, please contact our office.

Unusual circumstances we typically consider:

- The student is unable to contact their parents;
- Parental abandonment or estrangement; or
- Parental incarceration

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Unusual circumstances do not include:

- Parents refuse to contribute to the student's education;
- Parents refuse to provide information for the FAFSA®;
- Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes; or
- Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency

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If you have questions about your dependency status or need more information, please visit [StudentAid.gov/dependency](http://studentaid.gov/dependency).

## [Special Circumstances](#a-specialcircumstances-1YbeLK)

### Are Special Circumstances Affecting your Ability to Pay for College?

If you or your family are expecting extreme changes to your personal life or financial situation, we may be able to adjust your financial information to reflect your current situation more accurately.\
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**Special Circumstances we typically consider:**

- Loss of employment
- Loss of benefits
- Separation/Divorce
- Death
- Birth of a child

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**Special Circumstances we do not consider:**

- Unusual expenses related to personal living
- Gross underestimation of previous year's income
- Withdrawal of 401k or retirement
- One year bonus such as lottery or gambling winnings
- Reductions in overtime pay
- Bankruptcy\
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**How to request a review:**

1. Sign into [Howdy](https://howdy.tamu.edu/uPortal/normal/render.uP)
2. Search for *Financial Aid Portal*, and follow the link to the portal
3. Click on the Helpful Links from the left menu
4. Select "My FAFSA® Information Has Changed"
5. Complete the survey and submit your information

Providing information for special circumstances does not guarantee that an adjustment will be made through professional judgement or that your current financial aid offer will change.

If you are an applicant that qualifies for Maximum Pell Grant, our office will not proceed with adjusting your FAFSA® as this is reflective of full eligibility for financial aid. \
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Texas A&M University is committed to your success including overcoming temporary financial hardships. Visit the [Emergency Aid](https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/additional-aid-opportunities/emergency-aid) page to find resources.

## [Determining Need](#a-determiningneed-AiNIe0)

When applying for federal student aid, the information you report on the FAFSA® is used to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI). The formula used to calculate your SAI is established by law and is used to measure your family's financial strength on the basis of your family's income, assets and family size. The SAI is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid as well as other student aid programs. Cost of Attendance (COA) is also referred to as a budget.\
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Financial aid is either need-based or non-need based. Financial need, and need-based aid eligibility, is determined by subtracting the SAI from the COA. Cost of Attendance (COA) minus Student Aid Index (SAI ) equals Financial Need. Students are not allowed to receive aid that exceeds their Cost of Attendance.\
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Your eligibility for need-based aid is determined by subtracting other outside financial assistance (scholarships) from the calculated financial need. Students are not allowed to receive aid that exceeds their Cost of Attendance.\
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**Cost of Attendance (COA)****- Financial Aid Awarded So Far\* = Eligibility for Non-need-based Aid**\
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\*Includes aid from all sources, including private scholarships

## [Forms and Applications for Financial Aid](#a-formsandapplicationsforfinancialaid-XlqpC9)

Documents, videos and podcasts to help students with their financial aid needs.

[View Forms](https://aggie.tamu.edu/resources/forms-and-media)

## [Short-Term Loans](#a-short-termloans-7QfIoZ)

Assistance for temporary financial difficulty with educational or educationally-related expenses.

[Apply for an Short-Term Loan](http://sfaid.tamu.edu/stlapp/)

## [Emergency Tuition and Fees Loan](#a-emergencytuitionandfeesloan-bwD9eb)

Assistance for temporary financial difficulty with required tuition and fees.

[Apply for an Emergency Tuition and Fee Loan](http://sfaid.tamu.edu/stlapp/)

## [Financial Aid Displacement Advisory](#a-financialaiddisplacementadvisory-AHhB5P)

Financial aid displacement occurs when a student’s financial aid is reduced due to receipt of a private scholarship or for other reasons. For more information on financial aid displacement and its potential causes, visit the [Financial Aid Displacement page](https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/apply-for-aid/financial-aid-displacement) or see [Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's financial aid displacement advisory](https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/agency-publication/policies-and-procedures/financial-aid-displacement-advisory/).