Strategic Financial Counseling

  It is a core goal of EIF for students to not only graduate from college, but to do so with the least amount of debt possible. Navigating the confusing array of funding options can be difficult, and often students wind up saddled with student loan burdens that can be crushing. That's why EIF makes it a point to sit down with each student once all the acceptance letters and scholarships have come in to analyze which school and which combination of scholarships and loans is most financially feasible in the long term. 
                                 
Need a scholarship? Find just what you're looking for in our EIF scholarship database. Quickly search more than a 100 local, regional and national scholarships by school, area of interest, cultural focus and geographic location

                      

Financial Aid Resources on the Web

There are thousands of different websites that offer a wide array of online scholarships. Here is a list of scholarship search engines that have been narrowed down for your convenience.

Government Financial Aid

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents. It is managed by the Department of Higher Education and is available to anyone who wants financial aid for college. The application is used to determine the dollar amount you or your family will be expected to contribute towards college, and will accordingly offer grants and loans to cover the remainder of your cost. Every college in the U.S. uses the FAFSA as the basis for their own financial aid awards. The FAFSA application should take about one hour to fill out, and you will need the following documents before you begin the online application:
  • Your parent's most recent income tax return (and yours if you filed taxes)
  • Your parent's current bank statements
  • Your current investment records (if any)
  • Records of any untaxed income you may have received
  • Your Driver's License (if you have one)
  • Your Social Security Number
  • If you are not a U.S. citizen: your alien registration or permanent resident card
Students can fill out the FAFSA online at the FAFSA website,

You can also download the current application form:

FAFSA English Application

FAFSA Spanish Application

FAFSA Worksheet (English)

FAFSA Worksheet (Spanish)

TASFA


The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is for students who qualify for state residency under House Bill 1403/Senate Bill 1528. All public institutions in the state of Texas will accept the TASFA. Below is a list of documents you will need to supplement your application:  

  • Your most recent income tax return (or your parents' return if you are a dependent)
  • Your current bank statements
  • Your current investment records (if any)
  • Records of any untaxed income you may have received
Click to download the current application: