1Apply for Admission to Trinity Valley Community College
Students must be fully accepted to TVCC before the Financial Aid Office can begin processing any aid you might qualify for. You can begin here by filling out your application, or head over to TVCC's "Get Started" checklists for a more comprehensive list of admission steps.
2Turn in all required admissions documents to the Registrar's Office
Once you have applied to TVCC, you should receive your admissions correspondence to the email address provided on your paper application, or the email address provided to ApplyTexas. Please be aware that your admittance is conditional upon you completing the rest of the admissions process. TVCC's Registrar's Office will require more documentation from you to complete your student file before releasing you to qualify for aid, if eligible, and register for classes.
- Transcripts (GED, high school, college and/or military).
- TSI Scores (degree seeking students will be required to submit college readiness documentation).
- Bacterial Meningitides Shot Record (applies to students under the age of 22).
3Create an FSA ID
During your admissions process, if you have not previously done so, it will be time to head over and begin the process of applying for financial aid. Before you can dive right in, you will need to create an FSA ID. Both students and parents of dependent students will need an FSA ID to complete and sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
4Fill out the FAFSA
Once you have an FSA ID, you can proceed with filling out the FAFSA. Both students, and parents of dependent students, will need to completely fill out and sign the FAFSA. Be sure to list TVCC on your FAFSA so that they send your information to us once they have processed your application. The code for TVCC is 003572. Typically, TVCC will receive your information within 3-5 business days. Those applying after the priority deadline may experience delayed processing.
The FAFSA form applies to a single academic year. That means you need to submit a new FAFSA form each year. At TVCC, our academic year starts in the Fall (August) and end in the Summer (July).
Need help completing the FAFSA? Visit www.studentaid.gov , or watch this instructional video using your browser or mobile app.
5Meet with Academic Advising
Now you are an accepted TVCC student, and you have already filled out the FAFSA. While you are waiting for the Financial Aid Office to receive and begin processing any aid you might qualify for, it is time to meet with an academic advisor and register for classes. When you meet with an advisor they will setup your major/degree plan and complete your first semester registration (as long as you have already fully completed your admissions process). Financial Aid can not complete the processing of your aid until this step is completed.
6Check your Financial Aid Status
A student’s financial aid status and eligibility is available online through My Cardinal Connect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are having trouble accessing your My Cardinal Connect please contact our IT Department, IT Services .
Acknowledgment of receipt of your FAFSA will go to the email address you used to fill out the FAFSA; however, every notice/update after that will be sent to your student Cardinal Email as well as being posted to your My Cardinal Connect student portal (TVCC has login assistance available for new users). The Financial Aid Office may have to request additional steps or information from you. A swift response to any further required documentation or action will expedite the financial aid process. In the event that you do need to provide further documents, you can find many of the appropriate forms on our Awarding Process/Forms page.
7View and Accept your Aid Offers through My Cardinal Connect
Once your financial aid has fully processed, any aid you meet eligibility for will be offered via your My Cardinal Connect student portal. You should accept the aid you wish to receive within your portal in a timely manner. There may be more than one type of aid available to you; some types of will require further action on your part. Your My Cardinal Connect will prompt you to complete these steps within the "Financial Aid" module.
Once you have completed the process of applying for aid, you should be able to see your aid being applied to your balances on your tuition statement.
The FAFSA form applies to a single academic year. That means you need to submit a new FAFSA form each year. At TVCC, our academic year starts in the Fall (August) and end in the Summer (July). Begin the aid process early so that it is completed well before TVCC's priority processing deadlines.
Semester:
Priority Processing Deadline:
When the FAFSA is Available:
Fall
July 1
October of the previous year
Spring
November 1
October of the year prior to last
Summer
April 1
October of the year prior to last
The award year for federal student aid runs from July 1 of each year, through June 30 of the following year. Which years application you need to submit will depend on when you plan to begin your enrollment.
Fall: Students beginning enrollment during a fall semester, should fill out the application that begins with the year of that semester, and stretches into the following year. For example, if you wish to begin enrollment in the fall of 2023, you will apply for the 2023-2024 award year.
Spring: Students beginning enrollment during a spring semester, should fill out the application that began with the year prior to that semester, and stretches into the current year. For example, if you wish to begin enrollment in the spring of 2024, you will apply for the 2023-2024 award year.
Summer: Don't let this one trick you! Students beginning enrollment during a summer semester, should fill out the application that began with the year prior to that semester, and stretches into the current year. For example, if you wish to begin enrollment in the summer of 2024, you will apply for the 2023-2024 award year. This is because summer aid trails at the end of the award year.