Resources
Financial Resources
- Houston Financial Empowerment Centers The Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs) provide one-to-one, professional financial counseling to Houstonians at no cost to residents. An initiative of the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities and with support from the national nonprofit organization, Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund and Regions Bank.
- FAFSA Houston: Information on how to apply for FAFSA including eligibility and the application process.
- Brainfuse FAFSA live tutor: Connect with a live tutor to get assistance filling out your application. Just click on “Featured Service”.
- Scholarship resources: Money awarded to students to help pay for college and college expenses.
- College Board BigFuture: Determine of costs of tuition by college annually.
- Click2Houston: Tips on how to save money when paying for college.
- SwiftStudent: Will help you write a financial aid appeal letter for free!
- FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- FSA ID: An FSA ID is a username and password that gives you ( Student and Parent) access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature.
- TASFA: Texas Application for State Financial Aid
- Federal Student Aid: Coronavirus announcement
- IRS Tax Transcripts: Order online through the IRS
Federal Student Aid Special Announcement:
Coronavirus Information
Students will need to request emergency aid by contacting their institution financial aid office directly.
If you’re concerned about your studies or loan repayment, we can help you understand what to do in certain circumstances. We’ll be adding information for students, borrowers, and parents on a regular basis, so please check frequently.
For more information please visit the Federal Student Aid website by clicking link below.
https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus
uAspire’s
College Cost Calculator is here! This free online tool helps students compare financial aid offers and know what college will really cost.
Dallas College TASFA Videos
TASFA is an alternative for college hopefuls in Texas that may not meet eligibility requirements for FAFSA.
Dallas College has developed two new resources for information on the TASFA. Check out their videos:
Sallie Mae:
Free Financial Literacy Tools & Resources:
www.payingforcollegeresource.com (Access to free information and online tools to help save, plan & pay for college)
www.salliemae.com/collegeplanning (Additional resources on planning for college)
www.salliemae.com/FinLitTools.com (Financial Literacy materials and national webinars)
www.salliemae.com/blog (Tackle school and money decisions with confidence thanks to expert tips and help from those who have been there before)
Bankrate
Guide to help prospective students understand the deadlines and get the best grants, loans, and work-study opportunities possible when applying. It includes
- When students should apply
- State and institutional deadlines
- How COVID-19 has impacted FAFSA
Here’s the link:
https://www.bankrate.com/loans/student-loans/fafsa-deadlines
Understand Financial Aid
Click on the Federal Student Aid link below to learn more.
Types of Financial Aid
Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career school. Grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships help make college or career school affordable.
Click on the Federal Student Aid link below to learn more.
SER jobs: Young Adult Reentry online application (houston hire youth INCENTIVE)
Have you been involved with the juvenile or adult justice system? Do you believe your background is holding you back from attending school, getting a job, or obtaining valuable training?
If you are between the ages of 18-24, involved with the juvenile or adult justice system, reside in the city of Houston, Harris County, and interested in making a change in your life, this program is for you!
The Department of Labor funded program will provide education (GED classes), training (Occupational Skills Training), Paid Work Experience (paid internships), and employment support (job search, job readiness, and placement) all at no cost to you. If you are interested in any of these services or in all of them, complete your application now!
Please click link below to begin the application process.
DOL Young Adult Reentry Application
Gulfcoast workforce: High-skill High-Growth occupation list 2021
Texas OnCourse: Covid-19 Must-Have Resources for the College Admission Process
College admission has never looked more different. Testing requirements and application deadlines are ever-changing, and students are faced with financial uncertainty in the wake of COVID-19. To help ease the college planning process for your students, we’ve compiled a list of the most useful resources we’ve come across. We’re here to help keep your college-bound students on track!
- Adjusting to College Planning under COVID-19.
- College Planning during COVID: Texas College Virtual Tours.
- Future Focused Texas: Supporting Texas College Enrollment. .
- COVID-19 Update: Financial Aid Tips for Students.
- Is the TASFA Right for Your Students?
- From the Pros: How to Boost FAFSA Completion Rates at Your School.
Digital Literacy Resources
- GFC Learn Free: Help with computer, software, and internet usage.
- Techboomers: Computer help oriented towards a mature audience.
- Typing: Computer typing lessons.
- College Wise: Free College readiness webinar’s
Houston Public Library Resources
- College and Career
- Homework Help
- Personal Finance Education
- Writing and Citation
- Language Learning
- Living English Lessons (ESL)
*A Houston Public Library card may be required to access certain resources. Sign up online or visit or call your local branch for more details on applying for a library card.
Practice Tests
- Khan Academy: Courses on math, science, humanities, and more. Also includes SAT, MCAT, and NCLEX-RN practice tests and questions.
- McGraw-Hill: Includes practice tests and videos for the ACT, AP, GRE, GMAT exam tests.
- TSI: Texas Success Initiative- College entry exam