Almost every state offers at least one grant, scholarship, or loan program for residents attending college within (and sometimes outside) the state. State aid programs are a major source of financial support beyond federal aid and can include need-based grants, merit-based scholarships, tuition assistance programs, and loan forgiveness for specific careers.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Identify your state's financial aid programs. Visit your state's higher education agency website to find available programs. Every state has a higher education commission or student aid commission....
- File the FAFSA early. Most state aid programs use the FAFSA as the primary application. File as soon as the FAFSA opens (October 1) to meet state priority deadlines.
- Check for state-specific applications. Some states require additional applications:
- California: Cal Grant requires the GPA Verification Form in addition to FAFSA; Middle Class Scholarship also uses FAFSA
- Georgia: Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPP) for state-specific aid
- New York: TAP application (accessed through HESC after filing FAFSA)
- Texas: TASFA for undocumented students or DACA recipients
- Meet state-specific deadlines. State deadlines are often much earlier than the federal FAFSA deadline:
- If you submit the FAFSA by March 1, you will meet most state deadlines
- Some states have deadlines as early as January or February
Common Mistakes
- Missing the state deadline
- Assuming the FAFSA covers everything
- Not knowing your state has aid programs
- Attending an out-of-state school and losing state aid
- Failing to maintain eligibility
Pro Tips
- File the FAFSA by March 1 to cover all state deadlines
- Check your state's portal regularly
- Stack state aid with federal and institutional aid
- Look for state-specific forgiveness programs
- Apply even if you are borderline