Meet your College Advisor

Stephanie Mintz

Previously, as a College Guidance Counselor at Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep, Stephanie helped high school students navigate the admission process. She connected them with institutions aligned with their goals, built relationships with university representatives, and taught a college seminar course to equip students with the skills for post-secondary success.

A proud Dallas native from Oak Cliff, Stephanie is a first generation college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from Texas Tech University. She is also an active member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and remains engaged in various community initiatives.

Contact Stephanie

College Ready Programs for Seniors Class of 2026

Senior year programs focus on execution and completion of all college and financial aid steps. Students graduate with a confirmed postsecondary plan and completed financial aid and enrollment steps.

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Financial Aid FAQ’s

  • FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is the form used by the U.S. Department of Education, states, and colleges to determine your eligibility for:

    • Federal grants (such as the Pell Grant)

    • Federal student loans

    • Federal work-study

    • Many state and college-based grants and scholarships

    Even if you think you won’t qualify for need-based aid, many schools require the FAFSA for scholarships or loan eligibility.

    • FAFSA opens: Fall 2025

    • Federal deadline: June 30, 2027

    • State and school deadlines: Often much earlier

    Apply as early as possible. Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Yes. You must submit a new FAFSA for each academic year you want to receive financial aid. Filing one year does not carry over to the next.

  • The 2026–2027 FAFSA uses 2024 federal tax information. Most applicants can securely transfer tax data directly from the IRS during the application process.

  • Key updates include:

    • A shorter, simplified application

    • Mandatory IRS Direct Data Exchange for tax information

    • Continued use of the Student Aid Index (SAI) instead of Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

    • Expanded eligibility for some federal aid programs, including Pell Grants

    • Updated asset-reporting rules for certain families

    These changes are designed to make FAFSA easier and more accurate.

  • This depends on your dependency status:

    Students

    All applicants must provide their own information.

    Dependent Students

    At least one parent must provide financial information and consent to IRS data sharing.

    Independent Students

    You provide your own information (and spouse’s, if applicable). Parental information is not required.

    Dependency status is determined by federal criteria — not by whether a student lives independently or pays their own bills.

  • An FSA ID is your electronic username and password used to:

    • Sign the FAFSA

    • Access federal student aid websites

    • Make corrections or updates

    Students and parents (if required) must each have their own FSA ID.

  • Yes. The FAFSA is completely free to complete and submit.

    Be cautious of websites or services that charge a fee to file FAFSA.

  • Most applicants finish the FAFSA in 30–45 minutes, especially if tax data is transferred directly from the IRS.

  • Yes. The FAFSA is fully mobile-friendly and can be completed on a phone, tablet, or computer.

  • You can list up to 20 colleges or universities. Each school listed will receive your FAFSA information and prepare a financial aid offer if you are admitted.

  • After submission:

    1. You receive a FAFSA Submission Summary

    2. Your information is sent to the schools you listed

    3. Each school creates a financial aid offer outlining grants, loans, and work-study

    You’ll receive these offers directly from the schools — not from FAFSA.

  • Yes. You can log back into your FAFSA to:

    • Correct mistakes

    • Add or remove schools

    • Update information (if allowed)

    Be sure to make changes before school or state deadlines.

  • If your income has changed due to job loss, medical expenses, or other special circumstances, contact your school’s financial aid office. You may request a professional judgment review, which allows schools to reconsider your aid eligibility.

  • Yes. Many students from higher-income households still qualify for:

    • Federal student loans

    • Merit-based scholarships

    • Institutional aid that requires FAFSA

    Submitting the FAFSA keeps all options open.

  • Yes. Graduate and professional students must complete FAFSA to be considered for federal student loans and certain grants.

    • Missing the federal deadline means you cannot receive federal aid for that year.

    • Missing state or school deadlines may significantly reduce or eliminate aid eligibility.

    Apply early to avoid losing financial aid opportunities.

    • Visit StudentAid.gov for official guidance

    • Contact your college’s financial aid office

    • Attend FAFSA workshops or advising sessions offered by schools or community organizations

FASFA 2026-2027

  • TASFA stands for Texas Application for State Financial Aid. It is used by Texas public colleges and universities to determine eligibility for:

    • Texas state-funded grants

    • College or university institutional aid

    • Certain scholarships that require financial need information

    TASFA does not provide access to federal financial aid.

    • You should complete TASFA if:

      • You are classified as a Texas resident for tuition purposes

      • You are not eligible to submit the FAFSA

      • You plan to attend a Texas public college or university

      Many TASFA applicants include students eligible under the Texas Dream Act and other qualifying non-citizens.

  • Do not complete TASFA if you are eligible to submit the FAFSA. Students should complete only one application: FAFSA or TASFA.

    If you are unsure which application applies to you, contact your college’s financial aid office.

  • TASFA may be used to determine eligibility for:

    • Texas state grants (such as TEXAS Grant, if eligible)

    • Institutional grants and scholarships

    • Limited state-funded aid programs

    TASFA does not provide:

    • Federal Pell Grants

    • Federal student loans

    • Federal work-study

    • TASFA typically opens: Fall 2025

    • Deadlines: Determined by each college or university

    Important: TASFA deadlines vary by school and may be earlier than FAFSA deadlines. Submit as early as possible.

  • Yes. TASFA must be completed each academic year you are seeking financial aid.

  • TASFA for the 2026–2027 academic year uses 2024 income and tax information.

    You may be asked to submit:

    • Tax returns (if filed)

    • W-2s or income statements

    • A TASFA worksheet or affidavit

    Each institution may require different supporting documents.

  • TASFA is not submitted through a federal website.

    To apply:

    1. Complete the TASFA form or worksheet required by your school

    2. Gather required income documentation

    3. Submit all materials directly to your college’s financial aid office

    Submission methods may include online upload, email, mail, or in-person delivery.

  • Yes. There is no fee to complete or submit TASFA.

  • Yes. Information submitted through TASFA is used only to determine eligibility for state and institutional financial aid and is protected by institutional privacy policies.

  • This depends on dependency status.

    Dependent Students

    A parent must provide financial information and may be required to sign the TASFA form.

    Independent Students

    You will provide your own income information (and your spouse’s, if applicable).

    Dependency status follows state and institutional guidelines.

  • You may still complete TASFA. Your school may request:

    • A statement of non-filing

    • W-2s or proof of income

    • A signed affidavit

    Contact your financial aid office for guidance.

  • After submission:

    1. Your college reviews your TASFA and documents

    2. Your eligibility for state and institutional aid is determined

    3. You receive a financial aid offer from the school, if eligible

    Processing times vary by institution.

  • Yes. If you need to correct information or submit updated documents, contact your school’s financial aid office as soon as possible.

  • If your 2024 income does not reflect your current situation (job loss, reduced income, medical expenses), contact the financial aid office. Schools may review special circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

  • Missing your school’s TASFA deadline may result in:

    • Reduced eligibility for state grants

    • Loss of access to limited funding programs

    Submit TASFA early to maximize aid opportunities.

    • For assistance:

      • Contact your college’s financial aid office

      • Attend TASFA or financial aid workshops

      • Speak with a trusted counselor or advisor

TASFA 2026-2027