TEXAS, USA — As many know, the price tag that comes with college can be pretty steep.
In Texas, the average total price for one year of college—including tuition and fees, room and board, books, transportation and other expenses— ranges from $9,128 at a public technical college to $22,255 at a private college or university, according to College for All Texans.
Karen Bentley, Central Texas College (CTC) Financial Aid director, told 6 News the first thing students need to do is apply for Federal Student Aid.
"All Texas students are required to apply for FAFSA to graduate," Bentley shared.
The National College Attainment Network reports over $3 billion worth of college grants were left unclaimed in 2022 due to students not filling out the FAFSA.
Once students fill out the FAFSA, the institution the student applies for will look into what scholarships/grants the student is eligible for.
Texas A&M-Central Texas Financial Aid officer Andrew Woodward shared how searching for scholarships within your life could also be a big help.
"If you check with your employer, they may do tuition reimbursement or just outright scholarships," Woodward said.
Woodward added how quite a few Texas A&M-Central Texas students utilize Chick-fil-A and HEB scholarships.
CTC has awarded over $600,000 worth of grants to students in Central Texas so far this year. Bentley says the school will host a financial aid event to assist more students this summer.
Here is a list of other ways to find grants and scholarships on the Student Aid website:
- the financial aid office at a college or career school
- a high school counselor
- the U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool
- federal agencies
- your state grant agency
- your library’s reference section
- foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses or civic groups
- organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
- ethnicity-based organizations
- your employer or your parents’ employers
- our article on scholarship tips
- our article on what to do if you need additional financial aid
In addition to this, speaking to officials at the school is suggested by both experts.
"Go talk to your guidance counselors," Woodward said. "Guidance counselors have a bunch of resources when it comes to getting funding for school."
According to FAFSA, to be considered for federal student aid for the 2023–24 award year, students can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form by 11:59 p.m. Central time (CT) on June 30, 2024. Any FAFSA corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 14, 2024.
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