Financial Aid in Texas for Military Families for College

Hello everyone! I'm a high-schooler currently in Texas, born into a military family. I'm starting to look into college, but the financial part seems a little daunting. I wanted to ask if there are any specific financial aid or grants available for kids from military families in Texas.

Hello! Bravo to you for taking the initiative to research about financial aid opportunities. The good news is that being from a military family does provide certain benefits when it comes to college funding, especially in Texas.

One of the most significant ones is Texas's Hazlewood Act. Under this, veterans, and certain dependents of veterans (which you would be), can be exempt from paying tuition and fees at public colleges in Texas. This potentially covers up to 150 credit hours!

Additionally, there's the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP). It offers scholarship money to students who commit to becoming members of the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, Texas State Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, or U.S. Merchant Marine, or to be commissioned officers in any branch of the armed services of the United States. The TASSP can provide up to $10,000 for an academic year, but there are certain eligibility requirements, so you may want to look into this further.

On the federal level, there's the GI Bill that could be applied to you. If your military parent transferred their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to you, you could receive tuition coverage, a housing allowance, and funds for books and supplies. This could potentially be a significant source of funds.

Remember, apart from these, you should fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to see if you qualify for federal aid, and apply for scholarships, both related and unrelated to military affiliation. Good luck with your college and financial aid search!