Attending Texas Tech University with Financial Aid: 10-Step Guide

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX) offers robust financial aid pathways. Follow this process:

1. FAFSA (Priority: Oct 1): Submit FAFSA (school code 003644). Determines federal/state/institutional eligibility. Texas residents: also complete TASFA if ineligible for FAFSA.
2. Review Award Letter: TTU Financial Aid Office sends package (scholarships, grants, loans, work-study) via Raiderlink.
3. Accept/Decline: Act on each component by deadlines. Grants/scholarships auto-accepted; loans require action.
4. Scholarship Hunting: TTU Scholarship Office (merit, departmental, diversity); external (Fastweb, BigFuture, community orgs). Apply year-round.
5. Work-Study: Federal/state funded; on-campus/approved off-campus jobs. Indicate interest on FAFSA. Earnings don't reduce next year's aid.
6. Loans (Last Resort): Federal Direct (subsidized/unsubsidized) → Parent PLUS → Private (compare rates, terms). Borrow only essential.
7. Special Circumstances: Appeal if financial situation changes (job loss, medical, divorce). Professional judgment review available.
8. Verification: If selected, submit tax transcripts, W-2s, household docs promptly. Delays disbursement.
9. Renewal: FAFSA annually. Maintain SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress): 2.0 GPA, 67% completion rate, 150% max timeframe.
10. Financial Literacy: TTU Red to Black program (peer coaching, workshops). Budget, credit, loan repayment planning.

Key Resources

• TTU Financial Aid: depts.ttu.edu/financialaid, 806-742-3681
• Raiderlink portal: real-time status, documents, messages
• Texas Higher Ed Coordinating Board: state grants (TEXAS Grant, TEG)

Start early, communicate proactively, and treat aid as partnership—not entitlement.