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High School Counselors » FAFSA INFORMATION

FAFSA INFORMATION

FILLING OUT THE FAFSA IS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT or FILLING OUT THE FAFSA OPT OUT FORM: 
FAFSA OPT OUT FORM (Print and Return to Counselor)
 
Here is a helpful link for parents / students relating to FAFSA:
 
Link to the FAFSA application:
 

Kilgore College’s TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is a one-stop shop resource center that provides FREE services to high school graduates, college students needing financial aid assistance or adults planning to enroll in college or vocational school. https://www.kilgore.edu/trio-educational-opportunity-center-eoc/

The EOC staff will provide students with assistance in the following areas:

  • Applying to College/Vocational School
  • Applying for College Application Fee Waivers
  • Completing the Financial Aid Applications (FAFSA)
  • Assisting with Scholarship Searches
  • Assisting with enrolling and taking College Placement Exams
  • Understanding and correcting Student Loan Default
  • Assistance or Referrals with applying for Adult Education (GED)

TRIO EOC mission statement & who we serve

TRIO EOC assists clients in Gregg, Harrison, Rusk and Upshur counties with the processes necessary to gain access to post-secondary education.

TRIO Eoc objectives

  • Completion of College Applications
  • Financial Aid Applications (FAFSA) and FA Verification 
  • Financial Literacy ( Budgeting, Scholarships, Loan Processes and Repayment, FA Maintenance)
  • Entrance or re-entrance into GED Programs  
  • Tutoring services
  • Career and Academic counseling individualized or via workshops
  • Individual Education Planning
  • Workshops on study skills, time management, and test taking
  • Resume writing instruction 
  • Assist with search for test and application fee waivers
  • Invitation to attend college campus tours
  • Invitation to attend educational and/or cultural trips

EOC Locations

Kilgore College – Kilgore campus
Student Support Services Building, Room 111
Office: (903) 983-8615
Fax: (903) 983-8267
Email: [email protected]

Kilgore College – Longview campus
Longview North Building – Room 205F
Office: (903) 236-2023
Fax: (903) 983-8267
Email: [email protected]

EOC Hours

Longview Office: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to Noon

Kilgore Office: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Contact info:

  • Call Rosa Hopkins at (903) 236-2026 to receive assistance at the KC Longview North Building (RM 205F).
  • Call Rubi Ramirez (903) 983-8615 for assistance at the Kilgore campus (SS 111).

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended.

 

 
You Tube videos to help with FAFSA for the class of 2024:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOgIb7StyPU - Changes for the 24-25 FAFSA
 
STEP 1: Creating an FSA ID
Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. It’s important to understand that the student and the parent may not share an FSA ID: Your FSA ID is your signature, so it must be unique to you.
 
If you are a parent of a dependent student, you will need your own FSA ID if you want to sign your child's FAFSA form electronically. If you have more than one child attending college, you can use the same FSA ID to sign all applications, but each child must have his or her own. Please note: Each FSA ID user must have a unique mobile phone number and/or email address. An email address or mobile phone number cannot be used for multiple accounts.
 
An FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as a legal signature. Only create an FSA ID using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You are not authorized to create an FSA ID on behalf of someone else, including a family member.
 
Create an FSA ID:
1. Open your internet browser and navigate to www.studentaid.gov.
2. Click on Create Account.
3. Provide your email address, a unique username and a password. Write the information below.
4. Enter your personal information: legal name (must match SSN card), date of birth, social security number, and a mailing address.
5. Provide your mobile phone number for account recovery (optional).
6. Complete the challenge questions and answers.
7. Agree to the terms and conditions of FSA ID usage, and submit your FSA ID information.
8. If you entered a mobile phone number, verify your number by entering a security code texted to your phone.
9. If you entered an email address, verify your email address by entering a security code emailed to the account.
This Site may contain links to other independent third-party Web sites... ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SITE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
 
There are basically four types of financial aid available for students:  grants, scholarships, employment and loans.  The Federal Pell Grant is the most widely known form of aid. The U.S. Department of Education has provided the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) to calculate the dollar amount a family should have available to pay toward educational expenses.  This amount is called EFC (Expected Family Contribution)
 
  • In the FALL OF THE SENIOR YEAR.....Students and parents should apply for the FSA ID to electronically sign the FAFSA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTb7hMVtzco
  • In order to start to college in the fall after students graduate from high school - In December of your Senior year, gather the data needed for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Your parents will need their tax information in order to complete the application
  • Beginning in December, complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to determine your eligibility for financial aid.  Some scholarships REQUIRE that you submit a FAFSA in order to be considered.  Check with your college to see what their deadline is for submitting the FAFSA; colleges have different deadlines.  Deadlines are listed on college websites under financial aid. 
  • Expect to receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the FAFSA in the mail.  Pay particular attention to the Expected Family Contribution(EFC) and discuss it with your parents. *Families should complete their Federal Tax Returns as soon as possible so that the FAFSA can be completed early enough to meet February/March deadlines set by some schools.  The State of Texas has a March 15th deadline for some state aid programs. 
 
TOP 6 REASONS YOU SHOULD FILL OUT THE FAFSA:
1. FEDERAL AID - If you want money from the government, you need to fill out the FAFSA.  Aid ranges from Pell Grants that don't have to be paid back to Stafford Loans which can be paid back based on your income.
2. STATE AID - Some states offer forms of financial aid as well in the forms of education grants and loans.  FAFSA must be filled out to qualify for state aid.
3. SCHOOL AID - In order to receive loans, scholarships, or grants from a school, you need to fill out the FAFSA.  Many merit scholarships offered by colleges don't need you to demonstrate need, but not filling out the FAFSA will leave you out of earning free money from your school.
4. ITS EASY - The FAFSA is short.  Low income students will no longer have to report parental assets.
5. ITS FREE - Access to billions of dollars of aid is available for free with the FAFSA.  You can always get help at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa or visit the East Texas Educational Opportunity Center in Longview for assistance.  You can call the center at 903-757-9660 to make an appointment.
6. It's a GRADUATION REQUIREMENT!!
 
What do I do first?

Fill out a FAFSA. The FAFSA is a FREE online tool for financial aid.  You should never pay anything to fill this information out.

Get a FSA ID at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing.  The FSA ID is your electronic signature for the Dept. of Education and is required to complete your online FAFSA. Your parents are required to have their own FSA ID if you are a dependent. After getting your FSA ID, complete your FAFSA at https://fafsa.gov (you will need tax return documentation to complete the FAFSA).