Many students are not aware they may be eligible for financial assistance to help them attend college. These funds are intended to supplement the student's financial contribution to their educations.

Numerous types of aid are available. The financial aid staff at LSC-O is eager to help with the application process, but the applicant has the responsibility of completing paperwork in a timely manner.

Not sure where to start? All students must complete the online Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FASFA).

Have questions? Contact Laura Cooley via e-mail (Laura.Cooley@lsco.edu) or by phone (409) 882-3936 for all financial aid needs.

Operating Hours
Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

School Code Number: 016748

How To Apply
Lamar State College-Orange is committed to assisting students who require financial assistance to attend college. An institutional application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are required for all needs-based financial aid programs; a separate institutional application is required for all scholarships. These forms are available from the Financial Aid Office. The FAFSA may also be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Many high school counselors have the FAFSA available in their offices. Returning students will receive a renewal FAFSA in December each year.

When To Apply
Application should be made each spring for the following award year. The award year begins with Summer I. Priority deadlines are as follows:
Summer May 1
Fall and Spring June 1
Spring (only) December 1
Scholarships June 1 (no applications will be accepted after this date)

Financial Aid Forms

• General Financial Aid Application (FAA)
• FAFSA Permission Form
• Verification Worksheet (V.W.)
• Declaration that No Taxes Were Filed
• Consortium Agreement
• Documentation of Separation for Student
• Documentation of Separation for Parent
• Tuition Rebate
• Scholarship Application

Types of Aid Available

Grants
Federal Pell Grant - The Federal Pell Grant is a federally funded grant based upon financial need as determined by the information received from the FAFSA.

Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) - TPEG Grants are based on financial need and are designed to assist students in enrolling and remaining in college. Priority consideration is given to applicants who do not qualify for the Pell Grant.

Towards Excellence Access and Success Grant (TEXAS) - Texas Grants are based on financial need and the high school curriculum of the student as well as other guidelines. For more information on this and other state programs, please visit www.collegefortexans.com.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant - SEOG Grants are available to students who demonstrate exceptional need. Because funding is limited, priority is given to those who receive Pell Grants and meet application deadlines.

Loans
Short-Term Loans
Short-term loans are available during registration for fall and spring semesters. Loans may be made to eligible students as temporary aid to assist in paying their tuition and fees. Students may obtain promissory notes in the Financial Aid Office.

Stafford Loans
Federal Stafford Loans are available through the Federal Family Educational Loan (FFEL) Program. The funds for Stafford Loans come from a bank, credit union or other lender that participates in the FFEL Program. In order to apply for Stafford Loans students must complete the FAFSA form.  First-time borrowers at LSC-O must also complete both an in-person and an online entrance counseling session. 

Stafford Loans must be repaid.  Stafford Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. The federal government pays interest on the loan ("subsidizes" the loan) until repayment begins and during authorized periods of deferment. An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. Interest is charged from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.

The FFEL Programs also offer Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loans for parents of dependent students.  In this program the parent is responsible for repaying the loan.

Students with previous loans should remain with the same lender. First time borrowers may obtain a list of lenders from the Financial Aid Office.

College Work Study
Students with documented financial need are eligible to apply for part-time employment. Employment will be either on campus or in a community service setting. Applications for student employment may be obtained in the Advising and Counseling Office.

Scholarships
Scholarships are available through the LSC-O Financial Aid Office and various other sources. Possible sources include, but are not limited to, organizations within the community, foundations, corporations, the parents' and/or the student's employer, churches, fraternities, sororities and various non-profit organizations. Information concerning scholarship sources can be found through numerous publications available in the library, via the Internet and by contacting the student's high school counselor.

LSC-O Scholarship Applications

• Spring 2007 Scholarship Application
• 2007-2008 Academic Year Scholarship Application
• Riparian Business and Professional Women
• Service League of Orange Health Care Professions Scholarship
  

Links to Scholarship Search sites

ExPAN provided by the College Board
http://cbweb10p.collegeboard.org/fundfinder/html/fundfind01.html

Mach 25 provided by CollegeNET
http://www.collegenet.com/mach25/

FastWeb provided by finaid.org
http://fastweb.org/

Scholarship Help
http://www.scholarshiphelp.org

Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress Statement
Students receiving financial aid are required by federal regulations to be making satisfactory progress toward a degree or certificate program. Copies of the standards of satisfactory progress are available in the Financial Aid Office and are distributed to all students receiving state and/or federal funds.

Withdrawal Policy
Because of the Department of Education's withdrawal policy, students receiving Pell Grants who withdraw from school before 60 percent of the semester is complete may have to repay portions of their grants. Students will be ineligible to receive any future assistance until satisfactory repayment arrangements have been made.