Applying for Aid

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No matter what kind of aid you are looking for, it all starts with the FAFSA. We know these can seem overwhelming, but we're here to help you with everything from filling out the FAFSA to applying for extra aid, understanding eligibility, meeting deadlines, and tips to get the most financial help. Let’s get started on your path to funding your education!

5 Essentials to Complete the FAFSA

Completing the FAFSA is pretty straightforward. But it does require specific documents and records. By preparing these items in advance, you can streamline the process and make filling out the FAFSA a breeze.

Ready to apply for aid now?

Complete the FAFSA

  1. San Jac FAFSA Code

    San Jac’s FAFSA Code is 003609.
    List San Jac and any other schools you’re applying to on the FAFSA. You can do this before you even apply to San Jac. We’ll receive your FAFSA results automatically once your financial aid application is processed.

  2. Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)

    The FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign FSA documents. You can create your FSA ID before you begin your FAFSA, in fact we recommend it! It can take up to three days after creating your ID to be able to use it.

    Create Your FSA ID

  3. Complete the FAFSA Using Your Social Security Number or Eligible Non-Citizen Documentation

    If you’re a US citizen, have your social security number handy. If you are a non-citizen, you may need your visa or other documentation.

    Apply for the FAFSA

  4. Your Driver's License

    This only applies if you have a driver’s license. Don’t worry about this item if you don’t have one.

  5. FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX)

    The FA-DDX eliminates the need for most applicants (and their spouse or parents) to self-report their income and tax information reported to the IRS. Also, federal tax information (FTI) that is transferred via the FA-DDX to the FAFSA form is considered verified for Title IV purposes.

    Learn about the FA-DDX

TPEG Application

tasfa students

Texas Financial Aid

Unable to apply for federal aid? You can potentially receive the Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) if you fit in the one of the following categories of students:

  • Dual Credit students
  • International students
  • Continuing and Professional Development (CPD) students
  • Non-Resident students
  • To find out more visit us here TPEG Program

2025-26 TPEG Application

2026-27 TPEG Application

Note: If you’ve completed the FAFSA, you do not need to complete the TPEG application.

Mark Your Calendar

The FAFSA for the 2025-26 school year is now available. For priority consideration, you should apply as soon as it is available. While we award on a first-come-first-serve basis, funds for most financial aid programs are awarded based on financial need.
Student

Summer Terms

  • April 30 - Priority processing deadline. All financial aid applications and necessary paperwork must be received by San Jac to guarantee a financial aid award by summer payment deadlines.
  • May 1 - Financial Aid will begin authorizing your aid and applying it to your tuition and fees.
  • May 8 - Any funds available after tuition and fees are paid will be moved to the bookstore for you to use toward books and supplies.
  • July 1 - If you are enrolled in classes that begin through June 24, then on or before July 1, balance refunds will be issued to your selected account.
  • If you are enrolled in a class beginning after this date, you can expect your refund on or before: July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, or July 29. 
Student Studying

Fall Terms

  • June 30 - Priority processing deadline. All financial aid applications and necessary paperwork must be received by San Jac to guarantee a financial aid award by summer payment deadlines.
  • July 25 - Financial Aid will begin authorizing your aid and applying it to your tuition and fees.
  • July 31 - Any funds available after tuition and fees are paid will be moved to the bookstore for you to use toward books and supplies.
  • September 23 - If you are enrolled in classes that begin through Sept. 16, then on or before Sept. 23, balance refunds will be issued to your selected account. 
  • If you are enrolled in a class beginning after this date, (for example, in March) you can expect your refund on or before: Oct. 7, Oct. 21, Nov. 11, and Nov. 25.

After You Submit the FAFSA

Once you submit your FAFSA, you will get an email from San Jac about the status of your application. 

Your application will be reviewed after all requested documents have been submitted. Sometimes, additional forms or documents may be needed after your FAFSA is processed or during the semester if new information comes up.

You must tell the Financial Aid Office about any changes in your family’s financial situation, your enrollment or attendance, or any other financial aid you receive that isn’t federal or state aid.

You also may be chosen for a process called verification and need to submit additional information before your application can be processed. 

If you are chosen for verification or need to upload documents for any other reason, you can find out more about these processes on our Verification page.

The FA acknowledgment letter lets you know that your financial aid application has been downloaded by San Jac. There is an important section of the email labeled Requirements.

If the Requirements box is blank, it means you are good to go! Your file will be reviewed for satisfactory academic progress and, if eligible, awarded within the next five business days. 

If the Requirements box lists documents, it means your file has been selected for verification. Please read the list of requirements carefully and provide the documents quickly.

Many forms can be found on our Verification page. If you no longer have your email, you can log into your SOS account for a list of required documents.

If you receive an email asking about incomplete documents, don’t panic! This is common. It just means we have some questions about the documents you’ve submitted or we need additional information. 

The email will list instructions on what to do next. While many documents can be found on our Verification page, we may need more information than can be provided in a form. So please read your email carefully. You may need to call, email, or visit the financial aid office.

The Department of Education sets standards we must use to determine your financial aid eligibility. SAP has many requirements, including maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA.

If you have received an email about your status, please read it carefully or review your SAP status on SOS. If you fail to meet the SAP requirements, you will need to start an appeals process to regain financial aid eligibility.

You can learn more about SAP and the appeals process on the SAP page.

You can check the status of the documents you submit. Just log into your SOS account. Document statuses are:

  • Received, Not Yet Reviewed - This means your document has been received and electronically forwarded to the office for processing. It has not yet been reviewed.
  • Satisfied - This means that the document has been reviewed and the requirement is satisfied.
  • Incomplete - This means that something you submitted is incomplete. You will need to speak with someone from the financial aid office about what is needed.
  • Temporary - This means that your file has been reviewed and has been sent back to the Department of Education for an update in their system. This is purely a system issue and does not impact the status of your application. You do not need to take any action.

How Your Financial Aid Package is Determined

We know it can be overwhelming trying to make sense of everything that goes into determining your financial aid. We're here to help you gain a better understanding of the aid you're eligible for, and explore additional aid options.

Financial Aid Needs Analysis

Federal financial aid is based on how much you and your family can pay for college. This is figured out using a federal formula that looks at the information you give on your FAFSA. From this, the government calculates a Student Aid Index (SAI) number.

Cost of Attendance

The Financial Aid Office also creates an estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) for each student. This includes tuition, books, supplies, transportation, food, housing, and personal expenses.

Your financial need is calculated by the Financial Aid Office using this formula:

COA – SAI – Estimated Financial Assistance (EFA) = Financial Need

Financial Aid Package

Financial aid is first awarded based on full-time enrollment. Your aid can change based on your enrollment, attendance, grades, available funding, other financial help, program changes, or new information that affects eligibility. The final amount of your grant funding is set on the census date of the semester.

How Awards are Applied

Awards are packaged in the Banner system to keep things fair and accurate. The Pell Grant is applied first, followed by FSEOG, TEOG, and TPEG.

Other Aid Options

If you don’t qualify for grants, you’ll get information about student loan options.

Work-study is not included automatically — contact the Financial Aid Office if you’re interested.

Scholarships and Promise Program funds are added through AcademicWorks once eligibility and funding are confirmed.

Next Steps

Congratulations, you have submitted your FAFSA! Now what? Take a look at these next steps to make sure you stay on track.
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Apply for Additional Aid

In addition to federal and state aid, San Jac has a plethora of scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities you may be eligible for. Dual enrollment students can also qualify for aid through grants. Learn more and understand all of the types of aid that can potentially save you thousands of dollars.
review your awards

Review Your Awards

When you receive your award notification, review all instructions carefully. You may also review your award online through SOS. If you need additional funding, we have other sources available. So just ask!
manage your aid

Manage Your Aid

Find out how to receive funds once your financial aid is processed, and learn about maintaining your aid eligibility.
notify us of other aid

Notify Us of Other Aid

We need to know if you’re getting aid from other sources such as the GI Bill®, veteran benefits, or scholarships and grants not awarded by SanJac. Notify us by calling 281-998-6150.

Contact Information

Need some more help with your financial aid? Get your questions answered quickly. Join in a financial aid live chat or schedule a virtual appointment! For general questions, reach out to us at 281-998-6150, option 1, or FinAid@sjcd.edu. Or visit our office on one of our campuses below. 

Central Campus

Building 27, Room C27-6.1300
281-998-6150, option 1

Directions

Fall/Spring Hours
Mon-Thurs: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Summer Hours
Mon-Thurs: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. - Noon

North Campus

Building 6, Room N6.150
281-998-6150, option 1

Directions

Fall/Spring Hours
Mon-Thurs: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Summer Hours
Mon-Thurs: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. - Noon

South Campus

Building 6, Room S6.181
281-998-6150, option 1

Directions

Fall/Spring Hours
Mon-Thurs: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Summer Hours
Mon-Thurs: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. - Noon

Generation Park Campus

Generation Park G2.101
(Admissions Office) 
Admissions@sjcd.edu
281-998-6350 ext. 7678

Directions

Fall/Spring Hours
Mon-Thurs: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Summer Hours
Mon-Thurs: 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. - Noon