Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)

TASFA Overview:

Under Texas House Bill 1403, Texas law allows non-immigrant and undocumented students who do not qualify for federal aid (i.e., are not citizens or permanent residents) to apply for and receive state aid. SMU is responsible for ensuring that the applicant meets Texas Residency Rules and submits the required documentation. To check whether you qualify for federal aid, please visit the Department of Education’s FAFSA site.

Please visit the state of Texas’ special site for Residency Rules here, and find the Texas Administrative Code Rule §21.24 regarding Residency here.

FORMS for TASFA Application Process:

Submit Forms to: FA.Verification@mail.smu.edu

Download the TASFA:

Download Residency Documents:

Download Selective Service Form:

Financial Aid Eligibility and SMU Cost:

TASFA applicants are encouraged to consider the full cost of attendance at SMU. In addition to state-funded financial aid, TASFA applicants may also be eligible for 1) merit-based institutional aid (such as scholarships funded by SMU based on grades or other merit criteria) or 2) external aid (funded by sources outside of SMU), but the TASFA is not required to receive these funds.

TASFA applicants are potentially eligible for the following state programs:

Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)

  • Need based grant funded by the state of Texas. For non-immigrants, need is determined by Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the TASFA.
  • Both award amounts and maximum EFC vary year to year and are not determined by SMU
  • Academic Year 2019-2020
    Maximum EFC  Award Amount (Fall and Spring Terms Only)
    $1,000 or Less $5,130 for the year
    Between $1,000 and $20,994  $3,420 for the year
  • Student must be registered for the Selective Service if not exempt
  • Visit SMU’s TEG site for more info

Texas College Work Study

  • Need based program for students to work and earn wages on campus or through SMU-sponsored employment off-campus
  • If you have authorization to work in the U.S., you may also be eligible for TX College Work Study funds
  • Student must be registered for the Selective Service if not exempt

College Access Loan

  • Credit-based loan administered by the state of Texas
  • Loan can be awarded up to Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other aid awarded
  • If applicant is not a citizen, co-signer must be US Citizen or permanent US Resident
  • Student must be registered for the Selective Service if not exempt
  • Because this is not need-based aid, TASFA is not required, but students must submit residency documents
  • Visit SMU’s State and Private Loan site for info and the Lender List which links to the CAL application site

Required Residency Items for Non-Immigrant Students as Defined by the Texas House Bill 1403:

  • If applying for TEG or Texas College Work Study, submit the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) to determine financial need (Expected Family Contribution, or EFC)
  • Complete paper or .pdf versions of Texas Residency Core Questionnaire (TXCORE) AND the TX Residency Affidavit 
  • The TX Residency Affidavit is a form indicating an intent to apply for permanent resident status as soon as able to do so.
  • The Affidavit must be completed each year student is enrolled and receiving state aid at SMU
  • If requested by FA office, submit additional documentation (such as driver’s license, deed to property, etc.) to support claim to residency
  • If applicant is living in the US with a Visa, applicant must have an approved Visa as defined by the TX Coordinating Board. Click here for a full list of allowed and not allowed Visas for state residency.