Applying for Aid
Click on which describes you:
* To be eligible for financial aid, all students must be “Admitted” to attend Alamo Colleges via the ApplyTexas application. Recent high school graduates, even if enrolled in dual credit courses while in high school, must complete an ApplyTexas to apply as a First Time in College student. High school students taking dual credit courses do not qualify for financial aid.
*Once admitted, please contact your college's Student Financial Aid office to have an electronic TASFA packet added to your ACES student portal for completion. For contact information, click HERE.
* Students who have earned a bachelor's degree, including foreign degrees, do not qualify for aid at any of the Alamo Colleges, including Direct Loans, unless approved through the Financial Aid Appeal Process. Students in this category are considered to be on financial aid suspension for having attempted over 99 hours of college coursework.
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in applying for federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
The online FAFSA can be found at fafsa.gov.
Starting with the 'Eligibility' tab immediately below, select each tab for instructions and information on completing the FAFSA process.
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Eligibility
Review the eligibility requirements for the FAFSA.
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FSA ID
An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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Application
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College School Codes
The college school code is what the Department of Education will use to identify to which college(s) to forward your FAFSA information.
San Antonio College (SAC)
009163
St. Philip's College (SPC)
003608
Palo Alto College (PAC)
016615
Northeast Lakeview College (NLC)
042636
Northwest Vista College (NVC)
033723
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When to Apply
Academic Year Attending: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
Timeframe to Submit FAFSA: October 1, 2020 – June 30, 2022
Income and Tax Information Year: 2019
Academic Year Attending: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
Timeframe to Submit FAFSA: October 1, 2021 – June 30, 2023
Income and Tax Information Year: 2020
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Click for Priority Dates and Deadlines
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- Be sure you have completed the ApplyTexas Application and provided a social security number on your application.
- Gather all biographical data (name, social security number, date of birth) and make sure all data matches information provided on your ApplyTexas Application.
- The Alamo Colleges District recommends uploading income tax information using the IRS Data Retrieval (DRT) tool when filling out the FAFSA.
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- Please allow 2-3 weeks for the Alamo Colleges District to receive your FAFSA. After we do, you should log in to ACES and check for any additional requirements including verification.
- If selected for verification, please visit the Verification webpage.
- Be sure to review your SAR (Student Aid Report) to make sure all information is correct and address any notes that might be attached identifying "issues". All issues on your SAR must be corrected before the college can download your application.
What will I need to fill out the FAFSA?
Please have your FSA ID created and handy. You will also need tax information from 2 years prior to the academic year for which you are applying.
How do I use the FAFSA mobile app?
Check out this video for help completing the FAFSA via the mobile app!
Can the Student Financial Aid office access my FSA ID for me?
No, your FSA ID cannot be accessed by a Student Financial Aid representative.
Where can I get a copy of my prior year tax return?
You can request a tax return transcript from the IRS website.
What if I or my parent(s) did not file taxes?
You will need to indicate on your FAFSA that you and/or your parents did not file.
You may be asked to provide a verification of non-filing form for you and/or your parents.
I don't live with my parents and/or they don't support me, why am I considered dependent?
Although you may not be financially dependent on your parents or living in the same household, if you do not meet FAFSA's criteria to be considered independent you will be considered a dependent student.
Visit the Federal Student Aid official FAFSA Dependency page for more information.
If I'm not sure which of the Alamo Colleges I would like to attend, can I list more than one school code?
Please add school codes for all colleges you are interested in attending. However, please note that by adding more than one school code, it could delay processing your financial aid.
Also, if you change your Primary Institution (Home School), your financial aid package will need to be updated and processing time could take at least a week after the change has been made.
If I list all five Alamo Colleges school codes, how will my primary institution be determined?
The college where you apply for admission, enroll, and receive financial aid will be considered your primary institution (home school).
What if I decide not to attend the Alamo Colleges District or am transferring to another institution, do I need to remove the school codes from my FAFSA?
No, but you will need to add the other institution's school code in order for your FAFSA information to be forwarded. Once the institution receives your FAFSA information, eligibility will be determined. Your financial aid at the Alamo Colleges District will not transfer.
After completing the FAFSA, do I need to send anything to the college?
No, as long as you include the correct school code your information will be electronically sent to the college.
Once the college receives your FAFSA, please check your ACES MyPage to determine if additional documents are requested.
Do I need to fill out the FAFSA every year?
Yes, the FAFSA must be renewed each academic year.
I filled out my FAFSA but the college has not received it. It has been more than 2-3 weeks processing time.
Did you:
- Include the correct school code,
- Review your SAR (Student Aid Report) to identify issues that need to be corrected,
- Remember to sign your FAFSA application,
- Complete the ApplyTexas application for admissions
I received a message that my FAFSA was "rejected".
If you've received a message that your FAFSA is rejected, this means your application was rejected by the federal processor. Please check your SAR to identify any issues there might be with your application or follow up with a FAFSA representative.
FAFSA reported that I have a Bachelor's degree, but I don't.
This probably means you mistakenly reported on your FAFSA that you are a graduate student or already have a B.A. degree. Please go back to your FAFSA make the necessary correction.
What if I received notification that my citizenship cannot be verified?
Review the attached Citizenship Clarification Form for a list of acceptable documentation to submit to the Office of Student Financial Aid in order substantiate your citizenship. The process may take up to 4-6 weeks. Updates will be provided in your ACES portal.
FAFSA’s Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is not functioning. What should I do?
Please read the information from the Dept. of Education and refer to the announcements on www.fafsa.ed.gov.
TASFA
The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is a financial aid application for students who are not U.S. Citizens, but who are Texas Residents.
To use this application, you cannot be paying the Texas resident tuition rate due to a wavier or assistantship.
ApplicationFor 2021-2022 onward, please contact your Student Financial Aid office to have an electronic TASFA application added to your ACES student portal for completion. Completing the electronic packet will expedite processing of your application. AlamoPromise Students: visit the FAQs below To view an example of the TASFA application, visit the following link: College for All Texans TASFA |
Required DocumentsTASFA Application (see left) Parent Tax Return Transcript (Dependent Students Only)* Parent W-2 Forms (Dependent Students Only)* Student Tax Return Transcript* Student W-2 Forms* Selective Service Registration Acknowledgement Card (male students only) |
*requirement may not be applicable to 2021-2022 academic year -please only provide if requested by Student Financial Aid via your ACES portal.
Where can I get a copy of my prior year tax return?
You can request a tax return transcript from the IRS website.
I don't live with my parents and/or they don't support me, why am I considered dependent?
Although you may not be financially dependent on your parents or living in the same household, if you do not meet TASFA's criteria to be considered independent you will be considered a dependent student.
I need help completing the TASFA.
Visit your college financial aid office, or
Call the Community Education & Training Centers to schedule an appointment:
Brackenridge (Eastside) Center – 532 N. Center, San Antonio, TX 78202, (210)485-0280
Harlandale (Southside) Center – 901 March Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78214 (210)989-5999
How do I obtain a TASFA application?
We encourage everyone to complete an electronic TASFA packet in order to expedite processing time. To have an electronic TASFA packet added to your ACES financial aid requirements, please contact your college’s Student Financial Aid office.
For contact information, click HERE.
Do AlamoPromise students use the same TASFA application?
For all AlamoPromise requirements, please visit this webpage: https://www.alamo.edu/promise/.
When contacting your college’s Student Financial Aid office for a TASFA application, be sure to let us know you are an AlamoPromise student!
- Class of 2021 AlamoPromise students (only) may also email promise_finaid@alamo.edu to request the TASFA application be added to their ACES student portal.
- Prior year AlamoPromise students (Class of 2020) will contact their college's Student Financial Aid office.
What is Adobe Sign?
Adobe Sign is a process that allows students and parents to electronically fill out and sign required financial aid documents via their ACES student portal, and subsequently send them to the correct office for processing.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a measure of your family’s financial strength and is calculated according to a formula established by law. Taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits are all considered in the formula. Family size and number of family members who attend college are all considered.
For more information, click HERE.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of average costs a student will incur during the academic year. Included in the COA are tuition and fee costs, a room and board allowance, books and supplies, transportation, and personal/miscellaneous expenses. The actual cost will vary depending on whether a student chooses to live at home with their parents, or independently. Transportation costs will also vary depending on proximity to the campus and mode of transportation.
View the Alamo Colleges District COA.
Special Circumstances
Sometimes, a student's current financial situation no longer reflects what was reported on the FAFSA or TASFA for a specific academic year.
If you or your family experience an extreme change to personal life or financial situation, Student Financial Aid may be able to adjust your financial information to reflect your current situation more accurately.
What circumstances can be considered?
Circumstances we typically consider:
- loss of employment
- loss of benefits
- increased medical expenses
- separation/divorce
- death of a member of household
- birth or adoption of a child
- parent attending college at least half-time
What circumstances are not considered?
Circumstances we generally do not consider for an adjustment:
- student already has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0
- unusual personal living expenses
- significant underestimation of previous year's income
- withdrawal of 401K or retirement that is not rollover
- one year bonus income
- bankruptcy
How do I request a review of a Special Circumstance?
- Contact Student Financial Aid
- Submit all requested documents via ACES
- Financial Aid Advisor will determine if an adjustment is needed/possible
- Financial Aid Advisor communicates decision to student
Summer Aid
Financial Aid is available for the summer terms. In order to be eligible, you must:
- Have a current year FAFSA on file
- Have completed all requested documents, including verification, if selected
- Be enrolled for a summer term*
Starting Summer 2021, the awarding process has been simplified and students are no longer required to submit a separate summer application. Students who meet the criteria above will automatically be awarded any applicable grant aid within 7 days of registering for summer courses.
How does the application process work?
Starting Summer 2021, students are not required to submit a summer application. Students with a current year FAFSA completed and processed will automatically be awarded any available grant within 7 days of registering for summer courses.
*Please note, you must be enrolled for financial aid to be awarded for the summer.
Does my financial aid pay for Maymester classes?
No, if you enroll in Maymester or Summer 1 8-week (S81) courses, you must pay all tuition and fee charges by the payment deadline to avoid being dropped for non-payment.
Students awarded financial aid funds for a combination of Summer 1, 2, 10-week and Maymester/Summer 8-week enrollment will not see their funds credited until after the Spring Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) calculation has run.
Does my financial aid pay for Summer 1 8-week (S81) classes?
If you enroll in Maymester or Summer 1 8-week (S81) courses, you must pay all tuition and fee charges by the payment deadline to avoid being dropped for non-payment.
Students awarded financial aid funds for a combination of Summer 1, 2, 10-week and Maymester/Summer 8-week enrollment will not see their funds credited until after the Spring Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) calculation has run.
*Am I guaranteed to receive a Federal Pell Grant for summer?
Starting Summer 2021, students are not required to submit a summer application. Students with a current year FAFSA completed and processed will automatically be awarded any available grant within 7 days of registering for summer courses. Therefore, if you received a Federal Pell Grant for the Fall or Spring, you will receive an email notifying you of any summer award amount processed.
Year-Round Pell Notification: Be aware that if you have exhausted your Federal Pell Grant eligibility for the aid year, (attended 12 hours/fall and 12 hours/spring) you may be awarded Year-Round Pell (YRP) for summer. To receive YRP, you must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours for the summer. Please watch the video below for more information.
*Enrollment is required to determine eligibility for Summer Federal Pell Grant and Summer Momentum Plan Scholarship.
How will I be notified if I am going to receive a Federal Pell Grant?
Students who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant will have an award posted to their ACES financial aid account. Applicants who do not qualify for a Federal Pell Grant or other aid must pay all tuition costs, including books, or risk being dropped.
*Please note, you must be enrolled for financial aid to be awarded for the summer.
Are state grants available during summer?
Certain state grant funds such as TEXAS Grant and TEOG are not available for the summer term. However, any TPEG funds that remain unused from the school year will be awarded on a first come, first served basis (if available) for summer.
Can I apply for a Federal Direct Loan for summer?
Yes. Visit the Federal Direct Loan page for more information.
I attended a Non-Alamo Colleges institution during the fall and spring semesters and would like to transfer to one of the colleges for summer; can I receive aid?
No, students who attended a Non-Alamo Colleges institution do not qualify for financial aid, including direct loans, at any of the Alamo Colleges.
I'm on financial aid suspension for the summer, can I submit an appeal?
No, the Alamo Colleges do not have a summer appeal process. For more information go to Financial Aid Appeals.
How does the Summer Momentum Plan work?
For details on the Summer Momentum Plan, please click HERE.
