Financial Aid in Texas (2026–27)
Your FAFSA deadline, Texas's grant programs, and how to get every dollar you qualify for: federal, state, and scholarships.
Texas FAFSA deadline for state aid
January 15, 2026 for priority consideration (private and two-year schools may differ).
The FAFSA for 2026–27 opened October 1, 2025; the federal deadline is June 30, 2027. State and school funds often run out well before deadlines, so file early either way.
Not sure what you'll get? Estimate your federal aid in 2 minutes
Texas grant programs
TEXAS Grant
Covers average tuition and fees at Texas public universities for eligible need-based students.
Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)
Need-based grant for students at Texas community and technical colleges.
Administered by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Filing the FAFSA is how you're considered for most state programs.
Scholarships for Texas students
Grants and federal aid have income cutoffs. Scholarships don't, and they stack on top of everything above. Award Scholar matches Texasstudents with scholarships they actually qualify for (including state-specific awards) and writes the application essays. It's free.
Common questions
When is the FAFSA deadline in Texas?
For 2026–27 state aid: January 15, 2026 for priority consideration (private and two-year schools may differ). The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027, but state and school money often runs out far earlier, so file as soon as you can.
What grants does Texas offer?
TEXAS Grant: Covers average tuition and fees at Texas public universities for eligible need-based students. Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG): Need-based grant for students at Texas community and technical colleges. You're considered for most of these automatically when you file the FAFSA as a Texas resident.
How do I apply for financial aid in Texas?
File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. It covers federal aid (Pell Grants, loans, work-study) and is how Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board determines state awards. Then apply to scholarships separately; they stack on top of everything else.