Instructions for Financial Aid
Step 1: Gather necessary information
• You will need records of income earned in the year prior to when you will start school. You may also need records of your parent's income information if you are a dependent student.
• Your Social Security Number
• Your driver's license
• Federal Tax returns and or other records of benefits For non tax filers provide W2s. To contact the IRS for your tax records call 1.800.829.1040.
• Your (and your spouse's, if you are married) Federal Income Tax Return. IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, or Foreign tax return. Your parents' Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student).
• Your untaxed income records; Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Welfare, Unemployment or Veterans benefits records
• Your current bank statements, business and investment information, business and farm records,
stock, bond, and other investment records
• Your alien registration or permanent residence card
• Know important dates: Marriage, separation, divorce and birth dates for yourself and for your parents if you are dependent
• Your Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Step 2: Apply for a PIN
Before beginning the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you should apply for a Federal Student Aid personal identification number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov. The PIN will allow you to sign your FAFSA electronically and later to access your processed FAFSA online. You will also be able to review and correct information, print your student aid report and much more. Don’t share your PIN with anyone! If you are providing parent information on the FAFSA, one of your parents also must sign your application. To sign electronically, your parent must apply for his or her own PIN.
Step 3: Submit your FAFSA
Submit the FAFSA, based on 2006 income tax return information at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. If you need help completing the online application, help links are available on each page or you may call 1.800.4.FED.AID. After you submit your application, make sure you get a confirmation number. This number tells you your application has been successfully submitted. Keep this confirmation number for your records. The TSTC Harlingen school code needed to complete the FAFSA is 009225.
A paper FAFSA is available upon request by calling 1.800.4.FED.AID.
Step 4: Await notification
You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail from the processing center within 2-3 weeks after you submit your FAFSA electronically, or if you provided your email address, you will receive an email with a link to your SAR in no more than 5 days. Please review the information on the SAR and contact the Financial Aid Office if you discover any errors. If your file contains discrepancies, or is selected for verification by the United States Department of Education, you will be required to submit additional documentation to the Financial Aid Office.
The Financial Aid Office will send a letter notifying you when your Financial Aid Application has been processed. You will receive an Award Letter or Verification Letter from the school at that time.
If you were awarded student loans, you will be required to complete an online pre-loan counseling
session at http://mapping-your-future.org. You will also have to go to Loans By Web at https://lbw.tgslc.org to activate your loan and sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN).
Correspondence will be sent to the address listed at the Admissions & Records Office. Make sure your address is accurate and on file with the Admissions Office. You can also see your Financial Aid Award Status by clicking on the WebAdvisor Tab on MyTSTC website at www.my.tstc.edu.
