TCU Financial Aid

Information for Parents

Applying and Deadlines
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs
Scholarships
Grants
Work Study
Student and Parent Loans
Useful Sites

Academic Scholarships

Apply for admission to the University by December 15. No additional application is necessary.

Be in the top 15% of your high school graduating class.
Scholarship recipients will be notified in mid March.
Fine Arts Awards: Auditions for these awards generally take place at the beginning of the spring semester. Please schedule auditions by early January.
To schedule an audition, contact the specific department.
Recipients will be notified in April.
Need-Based Financial Aid

Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. TCU's school code is 003636.

Important Dates
- March 15 - Recommended Filing Date
- May 1 - Priority Funding Deadline: If FAFSA is received by TCU on or before May 1, student will be evaluated for all types of need-based aid (grants, work-study, and loans).
- After May 1 - If TCU receives your FAFSA data after May 1, students will be awarded loan eligibility; grant funds only awarded if funds are available.

Once TCU receives the electronic results from your FAFSA, we may request additional supporting documentation. Please be sure to submit any additional requested information to the TCU Financial Aid office as soon as possible. The Financial Aid office will begin notifying recipients in early to mid-March.

Other Financial Aid

Please contact the TCU Office of Scholarships and Student Financial Aid for information on any assistance program.

Important Dates and Deadlines

December 15
Any student wishing to be considered for academic scholarship awards must have a complete application, including counselor and teacher evaluations, on file in the Office of Admissions.

January 1
Earliest date a student may submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid to the processor.

March 15
Free Application for Federal Financial Aid should be filed by this date to insure the results will be in the Financial Aid Office by May 1.

April 1
First financial aid award letters will be mailed to freshmen who filed a FAFSA before March 15th.

May 1
Financial Aid Office must receive the results of the FAFSA by this date to qualify for priority funding on grants and work study.

June 1
Financial Aid Office must receive the results of the FAFSA for transfer students by this date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is financial aid and how do we apply?

Financial Aid is money from the federal and state government, the institution of higher education, and private resources that assist a family in meeting the cost of the student's education. Financial aid is composed of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. Student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine eligibility for need-based financial aid.

How do I become eligible for financial aid?

To be eligible for any federal financial aid, your student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available from your high school guidance office or public library; or on the internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA may not be submitted before January 1 but must be submitted no later than March 15. This form, completed annually, is used by the government to determine your child's financial aid eligibility.

How is financial aid determined?

The majority of financial aid is awarded based on "need". A family's financial need is calculated according to a standard formula based on the information provided on the FAFSA. When the application is processed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) with a calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This contribution is a dollar amount that is used to determine eligibility for financial aid. The amount of aid is calculated as follows:

Cost of Attendance (COA)

(minus) Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

= Financial Need (eligibility for financial aid)

Be aware that some colleges use additional formulas for awarding non-federal aid. Consequently, your child's financial aid award will vary from school to school.

What is TCU's School Code for the FAFSA?

The TCU School Code is 003636.

Must I complete the FAFSA every year?

Yes, the FAFSA is required each year a student attends school. Following the prescribed calendar deadlines is essential for maximizing your potential to receive aid.

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