Financial Aid Special Edition

The Ridge Point College and Career Readiness Center prepares our nearly 3000 students for college, trade school, military or employment. Students and parents are encouraged to visit the CCR Center in room K145 or reach out to me via email or my website. Susanna Jakubik, College and Career Readiness Advisor

Financial aid comes from the federal and local government, colleges and universities, military branches or from community-minded organizations. It is money that helps a student pay for education expenses at a post -secondary school (college or trade school). Financial aid can cover expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Financial aid often comes in the form of both grants or scholarships (that don't need to be paid back) and loans (which do).

Scholarships can be based on academic performance, community service, financial need, etc. The application process can be as easy as filling out a form, or can be more lengthy and require an essay or interview.

In order to qualify for any federal aid, a student must complete a financial aid application (FAFSA or TASFA). Completing one or these (or an opt-out form) is also a Texas graduation requirement.

While the 27-28 FAFSA application wasn't supposed to be open until October 1, it opened early and is available NOW. So you don't have to wait until next week to start your application!

The TASFA will still open on October 1.

In order to complete the FAFSA or the TASFA, students will need the following information available:

• Your Social Security number or alien registration number if you are an eligible non-citizen
• Your parent's email address
• Your list of schools
• The amount of money YOU have saved for college (not what your parents have saved)

Parents will need the following information available:

• Your IRS login or access to your 2025 taxes
• Your child's email address
• Your bank account balances

NOTE: No one at RPHS or FBISD sees any of the information you submit into the FAFSA. Only the IRS and the Federal Government can see this.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is for students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.

Step 1: Create your FAFSA account. Both you and your parent need to click here to create your own FAFSA account. You must have your own FAFSA account, and at least one parent does as well. Each ID should have a unique email address and phone number; do not use your parent's email address or phone number when setting up your ID. If your parent already has an account from an older sibling, they do not need to create a new one. If you have a Social Security number, you MUST use it.

The Social Security Administration will verify your identity in real time using the information you provided when creating your account.

Step 2: Fill out your FAFSA application. Visit the FAFSA website, log in and start the 2027-28 FAFSA application. (If you are graduating early in December 2026 and will be starting college in January 2027, you will fill out a 2026-27 application.)

You will enter your parent's information to "invite" them to contribute to your form. You will need their email address, first name, last name, date of birth and social security number. Your parent's information must exactly match the information you entered in your FAFSA application.

If your parent does not have a social security number, make sure to check that box in your application. You will then enter their mailing address, which should also match your parent's mailing address exactly as they entered it in their FAFSA account (Waters Lake Boulevard is not the same as Waters Lake Blvd.).

You complete your portion, sign it and submit it.

Step 3: Ask your parent to complete their contribution. They will receive an email invitation to contribute to your application. They will then log into the FAFSA website and click on My Activity to begin the parent portion. They will complete their portion, sign it and submit it.

If your parents are married, only one parent needs to complete it on your behalf. Otherwise both parents will need to create a studentaid.gov account and complete a form on your behalf. Complete info on parents is available here.

Step 4: Confirmation and processing. Within 30 minutes, you should receive an email from the U.S. Department of Education confirming that your FAFSA form has been received and is in process. Within a few weeks you will then receive an email with your Student Aid Index. The SAI is a formula-based index number between -1500 and 999999 which helps your schools determine how much financial support you may need. A negative SAI indicates that you have a higher financial need. Your SAI is NOT a dollar amount that you will receive.

Check your email often to ensure that there are no issues processing your FAFSA. If changes need to be made you will receive an email from the Department of Education with instructions. You should verify that your colleges have received your FAFSA by logging in to each portal.

Step 5: Submit verification via SchooLinks (see below in this newsletter).

The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is for students who are not eligible for the FAFSA but have resided in Texas for at least three years prior to entering college. This aid is only available for students attending Texas schools and includes, but is not limited to, foreign nationals, legal permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens. You can only apply for either FAFSA or TASFA, but not both.

Step 1: Visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website. You will create an account using your personal email address. Follow the prompts to complete the application. If your parents file US taxes, they can request a 2025 IRS tax transcript by clicking here.

Step 2: Submit supporting documents if requested. You should submit your parents' tax transcript to your school only if requested. Otherwise, do not send it.

Step 3: Submit verification via SchooLinks (see below in this newsletter).

The TASFA is an online application sent directly to college financial aid offices, not to any government agency. Please contact your college financial aid office with any specific questions.

Students who are joining the military, the workforce or otherwise wish to opt out of completing the FAFSA or TASFA will complete the opt-out form. Completing the opt-out form will NOT prevent you from completing a FAFSA or TASFA at a later date.

Opt-out form instructions are available below in the "submitting verification in SchooLinks" section.

Click here for a copy of the English opt-out form

It is a graduation requirement for all seniors to submit verification of financial aid application. This can be accomplished by completing the FAFSA, the TASFA or the opt-out form. Regardless of the method, all proof of verification will be uploaded into SchooLinks. All verification must be uploaded by Friday, January 15, 2027.

1. Log in to SchooLinks via 1Link/Clever and go to College/College Applications.
2. Click on the blue Update Status button in the FAFSA/TASFA section
3. Select the appropriate financial aid plan (FAFSA, TASFA or won't file/opt-out). If opting out, select the reason and upload your opt-out form.
4. Select the appropriate status (Completed: upload your confirmation)
5. Upload a screen shot from your computer or phone. As long as it has at a minimum your name, your Data Release Number and your completion date, that will suffice.

Please click here for more detailed instructions, including screen shots.

The CSS Profile is an additional required financial aid application for certain schools, including Rice, Trinity, SMU and TCU. It is administered through College Board and the application must be completed on the CB website and shared with your college.

Please click here for complete information and to complete your CSS Profile starting on October 1.

Please plan to attend the FBISD Financial Aid Information and District College Fair on Wednesday, September 30 at Austin High School from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

No registration is required.

Mrs. J will often post information on Instagram and Twitter relevant to college applications, scholarships, military visits and field trips. Be sure you follow us!

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Ridge Point High School

500 Waters Lake Boulevard, room K145

Missouri City, TX 77459
susanna.jakubik@fortbendisd.gov

(281) 634-7404

Click here for the RPHS CCR website

SCHOOL CODE: 444836