Financial aid displacement is when a student's financial aid award is reduced because they receive a scholarship from an outside source, such as a private organization or employer. A student's need-based aid, grants, or loans may be reduced because the total financial aid they are receiving now exceeds their demonstrated need or the school's cost of attendance. This practice should be considered when applying for financial aid.
Gift aid for admissions applications
U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizen students must submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA collects information which determines financial need and aid eligibility.
How to apply for gift aid at UTHealth Houston
- Include UTHealth Houston's federal school code on the FAFSA: 013956.
- Apply on https://studentaid.gov to complete and submit FAFSA.
- Submit FAFSA as early as October 1, 2025, the Office of Student Financial Services does not have any hard deadline for gift aid, but it is best to apply earlier than later.
Below is the timeline for financial aid processes at UTHealth Houston, including application deadlines, suggested deadlines to report gift aid, and other deadlines.
- October 1, 2025: Earliest date to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will determine your eligibility for federal aid such as the Pell Grant, state grants and Direct Loans. UTHealth Houston code: 013956.
- January 15, 2026: State aid priority filing deadline for the TASFA.
- Scholarship Organizations should report any external scholarships to Student Financial Services to ensure financial aid packages are adjusted to avoid exceeding cost of attendance for awardees.
How to apply for gift aid at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Include MD Anderson's federal school code on the FAFSA: 017249.
- Apply on https://studentaid.gov to complete and submit FAFSA.
- Submit FAFSA as early as October 1, 2025. The Office of Student Financial Services does not have any hard deadline for gift aid, but it is best to apply earlier than later.
Below is the timeline for financial aid processes at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, including application deadlines, suggested deadlines to report gift aid, and other deadlines.
- October 1, 2025: Earliest date to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will determine your eligibility for federal aid such as the Pell Grant, state grants and Direct Loans. MD Anderson - 017249.
- January 15, 2026: State aid priority filing deadline for the TASFA.
- Scholarship Organizations should report any external scholarships to Student Financial Services to ensure financial aid packages are adjusted to avoid exceeding cost of attendance for awardees.
Submit TASFA if ineligible for FAFSA
If you're a Texas resident but not eligible for FAFSA, you can apply using the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).
Students who have completed the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should not complete the Texas Application for State Financial aid (TASFA). Completing a FAFSA allows students to be considered for federal, state and institutional financial aid.
- TASFA is only for state financial aid programs
- TASFA is for Texas residents only
Recommendations
A list of recommendations to aid a prospective student in maximizing gift aid awards, as determined by UTHealth Houston.
- Apply on or before recommended deadlines.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Please refer to the SAP Guidelines for further details.
- Maintain full time status to receive maximum Federal PELL Grant program.
- Maintain at least half-time enrollment for other grants. (Texas Public Education Grant, Designated Tuition grant, etc.)
A list of recommendations for a prospective student to ensure the student's gift aid will not be reduced.
- Once awarded, gift aid will only be reduced upon formal request from the awarding organization.
- If students receive gift aid, student loans may be reduced or canceled to prevent exceeding student's cost of attendance in accordance with Federal regulations.
- Find your assigned Financial Aid Counselor.
THECB Financial Aid Displacement Advisory Contact Student Financial Services
