RGV FOCUS: Texas Application for Student Financial Aid (TASFA) Counselors’ Toolkit

Introductions Denise Davis, Ed.D. | Associate Program Officer Educate Texas | Communities Foundation of Texas Tania Chavez| Special Projects Coordinator La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) Miguel Carranza | Associate Dean of Student Financial Services South Texas College

Session Overview  How TASFA Toolkit Evolved  How to Use the TASFA Toolkit

In 2012, RGV FOCUS was launched to transform college readiness, access, and completion across the four counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy.  VISION : All RGV learners will achieve a degree or credential that leads to a meaningful career. rgvfocus.org / Collective Impact Initiative RGV FOCUS – A Collective Impact initiative established by a cross-sector group of leaders, the “Leadership Team”, meet regularly to: identify assets and needs in the RGV, adopt a common vision, establish shared goals, strategies, and metrics

RGV FOCUS Leadership Team

Over 40 Organizations and 100+ Individuals are Currently Working Together with the RGV FOCUS Collective Impact Effort

Why the toolkit?  In 2001 State law approved H.B  S.B ppdated law in 2005  No formal process was put forward –only affidavit of support  TASFA Form was first released in award year  IHE are not require to use it  Each institution of Higher Education had their own processes for Financial Aid  School Districts were having to keep up with the different FAFSA or TASFA applications and forms required at each College or University  RGV FOCUS – Culture of Attending College (CAC) worked with the 5 IHE’s and the school districts to come up with a solutions where all 5 IHE’s agreed on a common process

How to Use the Toolkit The TASFA Counselors’ Toolkit includes the following elements:  RGV Institution of Higher Education Contacts RGV Institution of Higher Education Contacts  RGV TASFA Checklist RGV TASFA Checklist  TASFA English School Year and Instructions TASFA English School YearInstructions  TASFA Spanish School Year and Instructions TASFA Spanish School YearInstructions  Income Verification (Parent/English) Income Verification (Parent/English)  Income Verification (Parent/Spanish) Income Verification (Parent/Spanish)  Income Verification (Student) Income Verification (Student)  Worksheet 1: Confirmation of Eligibility Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) and Texas Grant Worksheet 1: Confirmation of Eligibility Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) and Texas Grant  Additional Resources for Undocumented Students Additional Resources for Undocumented Students  American Immigration Council – Navigating College Applications with Undocumented Students American Immigration Council – Navigating College Applications with Undocumented Students

RGV Institution of Higher Education Contacts South Texas College Yesenia Garcia Coordinator State & 3rd Party Programs Phone: Texas State Technical College Denise Eliserio Assistant Financial Aid Officer Phone: ` Texas Southmost College Marisol Gutierrez Financail Aid Specialist Phone: UT RGV – Brownsville Daniel Yarritu Financial Aid Coordinator Phone: UT RGV – Edinburg Jael Garcia Associate Director of Financial Aid Outreach & Customer Service Phone:

RGV TASFA Documents Checklist English Application Spanish Application

Additional Documents Parent Income Verification (English) Parent Income Verification (Spanish) Student Income Verification

Worksheet 1: Confirmation of Eligibility Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) and Texas Grant

Additional Resources

Video Guide to TASFA in English & Spanish

H.B. 1403/S.B.1528 VS DACA  HB1403/SB1528  State Law  In-State Tuition & Free State Financial Aid  Attending college is a requirement  TASFA Application cost $0  It will allow students to pay for college only (with state financial aid)  School Counselors & Financial Aid Advisors can help fill-out application  DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)  Federal Program (Not a law)  3 yr work permit & Protection from Deportation  High School Diploma is the highest education requirement  USCIS Application Cost $465  It will allow students to pay for college out-of-pocket and be eligible to work after graduation  Only Immigration Attorneys or USCIS Accredited Representatives should fill-out applications

Something to Ponder on! If someone made a movie of your work in college access, would it be a drama, a comedy, a romantic comedy, action film, or science fiction?

Thank you #TASFAToolkit