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RGV FOCUS: Texas Application for Student Financial Aid (TASFA) Counselors Toolkit Slide 2 Introductions Denise Davis, Ed.D. | Associate Program Officer Educate Texas | Communities Foundation of Texas Tania Chavez| Special Projects Coordinator La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) Miguel Carranza | Associate Dean of Student Financial Services South Texas College Slide 3 Session Overview How TASFA Toolkit Evolved How to Use the TASFA Toolkit Slide 4 In 2012, RGV FOCUS was launched to transform college readiness, access, and completion across the four counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy. VISION : All RGV learners will achieve a degree or credential that leads to a meaningful career. http:// rgvfocus.org / Collective Impact Initiative RGV FOCUS A Collective Impact initiative established by a cross-sector group of leaders, the Leadership Team, meet regularly to: identify assets and needs in the RGV, adopt a common vision, establish shared goals, strategies, and metrics Slide 5 RGV FOCUS Leadership Team Slide 6 Over 40 Organizations and 100+ Individuals are Currently Working Together with the RGV FOCUS Collective Impact Effort Slide 7 Why the toolkit? In 2001 State law approved H.B. 1403 S.B. 1528-ppdated law in 2005 No formal process was put forward only affidavit of support TASFA Form was first released in 2006-2007 award year IHE are not require to use it Each institution of Higher Education had their own processes for Financial Aid School Districts were having to keep up with the different FAFSA or TASFA applications and forms required at each College or University RGV FOCUS Culture of Attending College (CAC) worked with the 5 IHEs and the school districts to come up with a solutions where all 5 IHEs agreed on a common process Slide 8 How to Use the Toolkit http://rgvfocus.org/resources/toolkits/tasfa-toolkit-resource-page/ The TASFA Counselors Toolkit includes the following elements: RGV Institution of Higher Education Contacts RGV Institution of Higher Education Contacts RGV TASFA Checklist RGV TASFA Checklist TASFA English 2015-16 School Year and Instructions TASFA English 2015-16 School YearInstructions TASFA Spanish 2015-16 School Year and Instructions TASFA Spanish 2015-16 School YearInstructions 2015-16 Income Verification (Parent/English) 2015-16 Income Verification (Parent/English) 2015-16 Income Verification (Parent/Spanish) 2015-16 Income Verification (Parent/Spanish) 2015-16 Income Verification (Student) 2015-16 Income Verification (Student) Worksheet 1: Confirmation of Eligibility Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) and Texas Grant Worksheet 1: Confirmation of Eligibility Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) and Texas Grant Additional Resources for Undocumented Students Additional Resources for Undocumented Students American Immigration Council Navigating College Applications with Undocumented Students American Immigration Council Navigating College Applications with Undocumented Students Slide 9 RGV Institution of Higher Education Contacts South Texas College Yesenia Garcia Coordinator State & 3rd Party Programs Phone: 956-872-2669 ymgarcia@southtexascollege.edu Texas State Technical College Denise Eliserio Assistant Financial Aid Officer Phone: 956-364-4339 denise.eliserio@tstc.edu ` Texas Southmost College Marisol Gutierrez Financail Aid Specialist Phone: 956-295-3623 marisol.gutierrez@tsc.edu UT RGV Brownsville Daniel Yarritu Financial Aid Coordinator Phone: 956-882-7890 daniel.yarritu1@utb.edu UT RGV Edinburg Jael Garcia Associate Director of Financial Aid Outreach & Customer Service Phone: 956-665-2958 jgarcia57@utpa.edu Slide 10 RGV TASFA Documents Checklist English Application Spanish Application Slide 11 Additional Documents Parent Income Verification (English) Parent Income Verification (Spanish) Student Income Verification Slide 12 Worksheet 1: Confirmation of Eligibility Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) and Texas Grant Slide 13 Additional Resources Slide 14 Video Guide to TASFA in English & Spanish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j94zx8ojbichttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3ElCSJemYI Slide 15 H.B. 1403/S.B.1528 VS DACA HB1403/SB1528 State Law In-State Tuition & Free State Financial Aid Attending college is a requirement TASFA Application cost $0 It will allow students to pay for college only (with state financial aid) School Counselors & Financial Aid Advisors can help fill-out application DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) Federal Program (Not a law) 3 yr work permit & Protection from Deportation High School Diploma is the highest education requirement USCIS Application Cost $465 It will allow students to pay for college out-of-pocket and be eligible to work after graduation Only Immigration Attorneys or USCIS Accredited Representatives should fill-out applications Slide 16 Something to Ponder on! If someone made a movie of your work in college access, would it be a drama, a comedy, a romantic comedy, action film, or science fiction? Slide 17 Thank you #TASFAToolkit erodriguez@cftexas.org