Higher education is possible with scholarships, financial aid
Paying for an advanced education doesn’t have to break your bank or put you in debt for years to come.
Programs varying from grants to scholarships and work study are available to help fund your goals.
Shannon Venezia, Ph.D., FAAC, Lone Star College senior associate vice chancellor financial aid, said options such as these are funded either through federal, state, or institutional funds.
“Grants and scholarships do not need to be repaid. Work study is an opportunity for students to work on campus and earn funds,” said Venezia.
Students are encouraged to apply for as many scholarships as possible.
“A student does not have to be at the top of their class or have high financial need to apply for scholarships. There are many scholarships available,” Venezia stated.
Earle Thomas, manager of financial aid systems and application process at San Jacinto College, explained they have “exciting ways for students to get cash for college.”
One option, The Promise @ San Jac program, was developed for students living in the SJC taxing district at the time of the student’s graduation. These funds cover in-district tuition, books, and required supplies for a three-year period for full-time attendance at SJC.
“There are many ways to get cash for college at SJC,” said Thomas. “Funds are not just for degree seeking students. There are also options for students seeking a career in highly demanded fields that can be completed in a year or less.”
Venezia said to complete a financial aid application, students need 2021 tax returns, W2s, and 1040 forms (your parent(s) as well if you are a dependent student), any nontaxable income information, current bank statements and investment information. In addition, you’ll need your Social Security number, driver’s license number if you have one, or an alien registration number for non-U.S. citizens.
For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), any U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen can apply. For the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA), any non-citizen who is a resident of the
State of Texas and cannot file a FAFSA can apply. TASFA filers are not eligible for any federal financial aid, according to Venezia.
“The FAFSA not only opens the door to a lot of scholarship options, it can possibly lead to the awarding of the Pell grant, work-study, work-based, and loans. There is financial assistance for many students in our area. Every year scholarships and aid go unused and rolled over to the next awarding cycle. The important part of any financial assistance is to learn the application process at your institution,” said Thomas.
If wondering if there is a family income or age limit, Thomas explained that every application is different.
“It will specify on the application,” said Thomas. “For the FAFSA, there is no income limit to receive some type of federal loan assistance. Depending on your family income, size, and number in college, you may be eligible for the Pell grant which is an aid that does not need to be paid back once earned.”