2025-2026 FAFSA Timeline

December-March

  • Complete the FAFSA: The FAFSA application is your first step in the financial aid process. The 2025-2026 FAFSA opens December 1, 2024. You can list up to twenty schools to receive your application, so make sure you list Tarleton on your application! (School Code: 003631)
  • Tarleton State University Reviews Application: Tarleton Office of Financial Aid will receive your application from the Department of Education in mid-March and begin to review the information. The information on your application is how the type and amount of aid you qualify for is determined.
  • Receive Aid Notification: Once your application is reviewed and aid is determined, the Tarleton Office of Financial Aid will send out financial aid award notifications. This process begins in early Spring.

Early Spring-Late Summer

  • Review and Accept Awards: You have received your financial aid notification, but need help understanding it. Visit our Next Steps page to watch a video on how to read your aid letter, learn what your next steps are, and make an appointment with a financial aid advisor.
  • Complete Outstanding Items: Monitor your myGateway to see which steps you will need to complete for all required financial aid items. 

One Month Prior to Class

  • Billing Statement Released: Your statement will be released with your estimated financial aid amount. You will receive a notice to your university email address (@tarleton.edu) once your statement is ready to view. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Tarleton does not mail paper statements. You can view/pay statements through Texan Bill Pay.

Two Weeks Before Class

  • Financial Aid Disbursed: Your Financial Aid will disburse 10 days before the first day of the semester. Remember, you DO NOT have to accept any or all of the aid offered to you.
  • Check for Outstanding Items: Check your myGateway account one more time to make sure you do not have any outstanding items that will keep your aid from disbursing (example: loan entrance counseling).
  • Submit Payment: Bills are due 7 days before the start of the semester. Don’t worry! There are payment options if you are not prepared to pay the balance for the semester. Take a look at our payment plan and short term loan options. Here is a video about how to use our Texan Bill Pay system.

First Week of Class

  • Receive Refund: For some students, the amount of financial aid accepted may exceed your bill or some of your aid is applied after you have made a payment. In this case, Tarleton’s Office of Business Services will issue a refund 2-3 business days after financial aid is applied. Learn more about the refund process here.