Have the student fill out the FAFSA. The FAFSA for the 1920 academic year will use taxes from 2017. If there have been major changes since 2017 (it seems like that may be likely), the student needs to collect ALL documentation of this, and speak with a financial aid advisor about it. Tell the student they NEED to fill out their FAFSA by December 15th (priority deadline), and they need to speak with an advisor about recent circumstances as soon as possible after that. The student needs to know they do not have to physically be here to meet or speak with a financial aid advisor. If the student calls in or emails, they can still speak with a full time financial aid advisor.

Do you know if the student filled out the scholarship application when they applied? If they selected that they were going to apply for scholarships but did not complete the application, they can (and NEED to) still log in, complete it and submit it. This is the only way they will be considered for scholarships for their freshman year. If they selected that they did not want to apply for scholarships, unfortunately there is no way to go back.

The final option would be alternative loans. These are loans that are not backed by the department of education, and often times require a co-signor. I know that no one wants to take out loans, but sometimes it's necessity with college.

The student can also reach out to the Money Education Center here on campus. They can work with the student with budgeting and planning out the entire 4 years. They can also help explain and go over loan options and what the repayment plans would look like for them.

If the student is looking for someone to talk to about all of this, they can reach financial aid at financialaid@tamu.edu or 979-845-3236. They can also reach the money education center at money@tamu.edu or 979-845-7283.