Can I submit TASFA after already filing FAFSA? Conflicting advice from financial aid office

You generally shouldn't submit both FAFSA and TASFA for the same academic year. FAFSA is for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, while TASFA is specifically for Texas residents who don't qualify for federal aid due to immigration status. If you were eligible to complete the FAFSA (meaning you have U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status), then TASFA isn't the right form for you. Submitting both could potentially flag your application for verification and delay the whole process. If there are concerns about immigration status that might affect FAFSA eligibility, you should speak directly with your financial aid office about whether to withdraw your FAFSA and submit TASFA instead. This is a case-by-case situation that depends on your specific circumstances.

i did both last yr and it was a HUGE mess!!! financial aid office made me pick 1 and then had to do all this verification stuff and almost lost my housing guarantee bc of the delays. dont do it unless ur 10000% sure u need to switch!!!

The confusion here is understandable. TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) is specifically for students who are not eligible for federal financial aid but meet Texas residency requirements. If you're eligible for FAFSA, then you should stick with FAFSA as it gives you access to both federal AND state aid. Clarification points: 1. If you're eligible for FAFSA (citizen or eligible non-citizen), use FAFSA only 2. If you're ineligible for FAFSA due to immigration status but meet Texas residency requirements, use TASFA only 3. You should never need to submit both for the same academic year If your parents' immigration status impacts your dependency status or financial information, that's a separate issue that should be addressed through the financial aid office.

Honestly the system is so stupid sometimes. Like why even have 2 diff forms that do basically the same thing?? Just more paperwork and confusion for everyone. Typical government mess lol

Have you tried calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center directly? Sometimes college advisors don't have all the specific details about these edge cases. I had a similar situation last year (though with FAFSA and CSS Profile), and I spent WEEKS trying to get through to someone who could actually help.

This is actually a common misunderstanding. To clarify the main points others have mentioned: 1. FAFSA is for federal aid (and some state aid programs), while TASFA is ONLY for state aid programs in Texas for those who don't qualify for federal aid. 2. Regarding your parents' immigration status: If YOU are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, you should use FAFSA regardless of your parents' status. Parents' immigration status doesn't disqualify you from FAFSA. 3. If your parents are undocumented or have certain non-eligible statuses, they can still be listed on your FAFSA - they would just use 000-00-0000 for SSN. 4. If your parents are concerned about providing their information due to status issues, you can speak with your financial aid office about potential professional judgment adjustments. Don't withdraw your FAFSA until you get definitive guidance from a financial aid professional who understands your specific situation. Withdrawing now could potentially put you at the back of the line for limited aid funds.

btw has anyone gotten their SAI score back yet?? applied 2 weeks ago and still nothing 😤

Based on the additional details you've shared in the comments, since you're a U.S. citizen and your parents are permanent residents (even with one renewing their green card), you should definitely stick with the FAFSA. The renewal process for a green card doesn't change their status as permanent residents. What you might want to do is provide documentation about the renewal process during verification if you're selected. Your financial aid office can accept this explanation and documentation. TASFA would actually give you LESS aid opportunity in your situation since you'd only be eligible for state aid rather than both federal and state aid through FAFSA.

Just wanted to add some reassurance here - you're definitely making the right choice by sticking with FAFSA! I went through a similar situation last year where my family was worried about documentation issues during the application process. One thing that really helped me was keeping a folder with copies of all our immigration documents (including renewal receipts and any correspondence) ready for verification. The financial aid office was actually very understanding when I explained the situation upfront. Also, since you're at UT Dallas, they have pretty good financial aid counselors once you get past the front desk staff. Try asking specifically to speak with a "financial aid counselor" rather than just general staff - they tend to be more knowledgeable about these complex situations. You've got this! The fact that you're asking the right questions and doing your research shows you're on the right track.

Hey! As someone who works in financial aid, I want to echo what others have said - you're absolutely making the right choice by sticking with FAFSA given your situation. Since you're a US citizen with permanent resident parents, FAFSA will give you access to the full range of federal aid (Pell Grants, federal loans, work-study) PLUS state aid programs. One quick tip: when you do speak with FSA or your school's financial aid office, have your parents' A-numbers (alien registration numbers) ready - these don't change even during green card renewal. This can help speed up the verification process if you're selected. Also, don't stress too much about the renewal process. Immigration services typically provide receipt notices that extend the validity of expired green cards, so your parents' status remains protected during renewal. Your financial aid office has definitely seen this situation before! You're being really smart by getting clarity on this now rather than later. Good luck with everything!