Financial Aid

When to Apply

You must apply for financial aid each year to be eligible. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the following academic year is made available on October 1.

The fall semester kicks off the academic year, which continues through the spring and summer semesters. When you complete and submit the FAFSA, you gain access to the largest source of college aid available.

Your FAFSA information is utilized by your college to determine your eligibility for federal help. Several states, college and universities use FAFSA data to offer their own assistance.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

The first step is to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Apply at Federal Student Aid - https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa  Include the FAFSA code 003582 for Laredo College in your application.                

When do I fill out the FAFSA application?

•For the 2021–22 year, you can apply between Oct. 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022 (Using the 2019 tax information)

•For the 2022–23 year, you can apply between Oct. 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023 (Using the 2019 tax information)

Federal student aid programs have limited funds, so be sure to apply as soon as you can.

FAFSA applicants must provide income information from the “prior-prior tax year.” For example, 2020-21 applicants must report 2018 income information. As a result of using “prior-prior tax year information" more students and families will be able to complete their FAFSA using income information imported electronically from the IRS.

Steps to fill out FAFSA:

1. Log in to fsaid.ed.gov and create an FSA ID and Password

2. Complete the FAFSA by logging on to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa (Must apply every academic year, starting October 1) and completing all requirements.

3. Be registered for three eligible hours or more for most types of aid in the summer, or six eligible hours or more for most types of aid (except PELL) in the Fall/Spring.

4. Meet all requirements before the priority deadline.

Fall March 1

Spring November 1

Summer May 1

Since some types of funds are limited, we recommend you submit your FAFSA before the priority dates. Students who submit their application after the priority dates are still eligible for financial aid but may need to pay their tuition before the payment due date.

The institutional policy for packaging grants, and employment assistance for students is as follows:

Packaging for eligible flexible entry classes will be done at the end of the semester and funds for those classes will be disbursed accordingly.

Students are awarded a combination of funds from all programs for which they qualify. Students are required to apply using the FAFSA to be processed for all aid programs. The financial aid package will attempt to meet 70% of the student’s need with grant assistance and 30% with self-help (Work-Study).

Students not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant but who demonstrate financial need, as defined by the federal government, may be eligible for campus-based programs (Federal Work-Study).

Students enrolled for the summer sessions may receive, if eligible, SEOG, PELL, and Federal Work-Study.

Texas Application for State Financial Aid - TASFA

Residency Status & Undocumented Students

Senate Bill 1528 - TASFA

The Office of Financial Aid at Laredo College is committed to assisting all students in achieving their educational objectives by providing state aid to those who qualify. Senate Bill 1528 is a state law that allows students who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents to be classified as Texas residents for purposes of admissions and financial aid, rendering them eligible for state aid.

State monies are limited, students are encouraged to apply on October 1st of each academic year as soon as the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is available. Students who are designated as Texas residents and are unable to apply for federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). For more information please visit http://www.collegeforalltexans.com  Undocumented students may qualify for State aid by meeting the requirements below:

Residency Status & Undocumented Students

Eligibility requirements

You must:

• Graduate from a Texas high school or receive your GED in Texas.
• Live in Texas for at least three consecutive years before graduating from high school.
• Live in Texas 12 months before enrolling in a college or university.
• Declare your intention to file for permanent residency when you become eligible.

To apply for Texas residency status

Visit the of Admissions at https://www.laredo.edu/admissions/index.html 

Eligibility

To qualify for financial aid, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Have a valid Social Security number
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Enroll at Laredo College in an eligible degree or certificate program.
• Meet Selective Service requirements, if applicable for state aid.
• Not be in default on any federal student loan or owe a federal grant repayment.
• Meet FAFSA criteria for financial need (for most financial aid programs).
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Some conditions that limit financial assistance:

• If you received a full-time Pell Grant for more than six years, you are no longer eligible for this award. The lifetime limit of the Federal Pell grant is 600%, which is equivalent to twelve semesters at full-time enrollment.

• If you are a transient student, meaning you are not pursuing a degree or certificate at Laredo College and are only attending classes for the summer sessions or wintermester, you are ineligible for financial aid.

Types of Aid

Financial aid comes in four types:

• Grants
• Loans
• Work-study programs
• Scholarships

These sources of aid can be combined in a financial aid package to assist with educational expenses. Scholarships and grants, in general, do not have to be repaid.

Ability-to-Benefit Alternatives

Ability to Benefit (ATB) allows a student without a high school diploma or equivalency to receive Title IV student financial aid to pay for postsecondary education and training if they are enrolled in a career pathway program. To receive aid, the student must first complete 6 credits (or equivalent) applicable toward a degree or certificate, pass a Department of Education (ED) approved exam, or complete a state process approved by the Secretary of Education. For more information, please visit the Office of Financial Aid.

Priority Dates to Apply for Financial Aid

Because some types of funds are limited, we recommend you submit your financial aid application (FAFSA) by the priority dates. Students who submit their application after the priority dates are still eligible for financial aid but may need to pay their tuition before the payment due date.

Priority Dates for Financial Aid   

Fall    March 1

Spring November 1

Summer May 1

Financial Aid Verification

Who selects the student’s FAFSA application for verification?

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) randomly selects some Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSAs) for verification others are selected by the institution to clarify discrepancies in the data entered on the FAFSA.

Please be advised not all students selected for verification have to submit the same documents. Every case is different.  

Students are notified by the Department of Education that they have been selected for verification when they print out their student aid report (SAR) after their application has been reviewed and processed by the Department of Education (DOE). Furthermore, Laredo College Student Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs Services Center will send an email or text notifying the students that he or she were selected for verification.

Student Financial Aid Verification Tool:

The Student Financial Aid Verification Tool is a web-based software that will facilitate the collection of data between students and the Student Financial Aid & Veteran Affairs Service Center. No more wasting time waiting in line or making trips to campus. The Student Financial Aid Verification Tool is here to alleviate the wait and is available to students 24/7. Those students who have completed their FAFSA and are selected for verification must turn in all requested documents via the student verification tool. Pending documents can be submitted using the mobile device of their choice. To access the Student Financial Aid Verification Tool please login into your PasPort account, go to the student tab located at the top of the page and click my finances.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, students who do not use the “IRS Data Retrieval Tool” when completing the FAFSA are more likely to get selected for verification. It does not mean that all students that use the “IRS Data Retrieval Tool” won’t be selected. Student selected for verification will have to provide an IRS Tax Return Transcript that can take weeks to obtain and delay your verification process. 

Please note that the IRS DRT may not be available for immediate use after filing your federal taxes. If you filed your taxes electronically, it could take up to 2 weeks for your tax information to become available on the DRT. If you filed a paper tax return, please allow 6-8 weeks to use the DRT.

How do I request a copy of my IRS Tax Transcript or Verification of Non-filing?

IRS Tax Transcripts can be requested one of several ways:

Online through http://www.irs.gov. Under the “Tools” section, select “Get a Tax Transcript”, or by calling 1-800-908-9946

Cost of Attendance

Each college or university determines an estimate of how much it will cost to attend school. An estimated cost of attendance (COA) is designed to assist students with their educational expenses for the academic year.

An estimated cost of attendance includes direct and indirect costs. Direct costs include charges a student pays directly to the college, for example, tuition and fees. Indirect costs include expenses the student will likely incur but will not pay directly to the college. Transportation is an example of an indirect cost.

The cost of attendance for each student is based on full-time enrollment and residency. Please visit our website at https://www.laredo.edu/admissions/financial-aid/related-links/index.html for more information on Laredo College's Cost of Attendance.

Grants

Scholarships

Palomino Scholar Dollars is powered by Scholarship Universe it is a one stop shop matching tool all scholarship opportunities for admitted Laredo College (LC) students. Palomino Scholar Dollars connects millions of dollars in internal and external scholarship opportunities to you.

The Scholarships are awarded based on academics, financial need, campus/community activities, and/or leadership positions. They are designed to reward, encourage, and assist students to pursue academic excellence and leadership roles.

For additional information regarding scholarships available at LC, please contact Ms. Brenda Y. Diaz, Scholarship Coordinator at any of our locations:

Fort McIntosh Campus Lerma-Peña Building Rm. 131 Monday-Thursday 8:00AM - 6:00PM Friday's 8:00AM - noon (956) 721-5144 scholarships@laredo.edu (Ms. Diaz is on campus on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s)

South Campus Billy Hall Center-One Stop Shop Rm. 109 Monday-Thursday 8:00AM - 6:00PM Friday's 8:00AM - noon (956) 794-4358 scholarships@laredo.edu (Ms. Diaz is on campus on Tuesday’s)

 

Over Awards

Federal and state regulations mandate that a student’s total financial aid package (grants and other resources) cannot exceed the student’s financial need. Financial need is defined as Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution (EFC calculated with FAFSA). Once a student has been selected as a scholarship recipient, the Student Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs Services Center must ensure that the student is not over awarded. Over awards occur when the student’s financial aid package exceeds his or her financial need.

Over Award Example:

Example: A dependent student, Marissa who is living at home with parents and is enrolled for fall and spring full time. Marissa’s total Cost of Attendance is $15,536 and has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $1,120. Marissa’s financial need ($15,536-$1,120) is $14,416. Marissa's Pell Grant Award is $4,626, Texas Grant of $1,325, and a scholarship totaling $9,000 +Pell $4,626+ Texas $1,325 =$14,951. The total awards caused an over award. In such cases, the student must decline one of the awards.

Student Employment

The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. Furthermore, the Work-Study Program provides eligible LC students with the opportunity to work part-time in a community service position or a field related to their area of study.

Student Eligibility requirements:

• Have applied for FAFSA
• Completed and submitted all outstanding tasks and documents
• Must have unmet need
• Must be in good standing
• Must be enrolled at Laredo College

Educational Loans

(Laredo College does not participate in federal William D. Ford Direct Program, State or Private students loans since the fall 2012)  All students who have borrowed a federal educational loan must perform an exit counseling in order to stay compliant for federal funding. For more Student Loan information, repayment options and to perform an exit counseling, please visit: www.studentloans.gov or www.studentaid.ed.gov.

Laredo College is committed to support students in succeeding in their federal student loan repayment. To assist, the institution has contracted with Loan Science. 

Loan Science

Loan Science is an organization designed specifically to serve borrowers with federal and private student loans. The benefits of working with Loan Science, a company with significant experience in both federal and private student loan default management include:

The ability to make contact attempts on a more frequent basis, creating more opportunities to provide the personalized assistance your borrowers need.

Industry-leading analytics that allow Loan Science to tailor outreach efforts to specific at-risk populations and provide you with enhanced reporting to illustrate success.

A track record of success when working with institutions with very high cohort default rates.

Loan Science has taken steps to comply with the Department of Education third party servicer regulations.

Its staff understands the repayment process, and their employees are trained to offer help for all types of borrowers, no matter the circumstance. Loan Science is a third-party service provider, not affiliated with any loan servicer or loan holders.

How can Loan Science help you?

Loan Science serves as your guide during grace period and repayment. Loan Science counselors answers student concerns, questions and explains options available to students. Students interested in knowing their servicer, wanting more information about repayment plans, or have concerns about making payments, Loan Science will assist. We have begun working with Loan Science, the leader in federal student loan debt management counseling, and default prevention.

Have questions?

Contact Loan Science at:

Phone: 866.311.9450

Email: contact@loansciences.com

Mailing: Loan Science

P.O. Box 81671

Austin, Texas 78708-9921

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The  Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies have been established to ensure that all students satisfy the institution's academic standards and expectations for success. Listed below are the policies for determining academic standing and financial aid eligibility based on Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students must read, comprehend, and adhere to these policies in order to achieve their educational objectives. The policies and procedures outlined in this document detail and delineate the requirements of successful Laredo College students.  The policies and practices presented in this document detail and outline the expectations of successful students at Laredo College. 

The primary responsibility for acceptable standards of academic student success at LC lies with the student. It is up to him/her to maintain their GPA in accordance with established academic standards. In order for students to be considered to be in good academic standing the following measures must be met. Students attending LC must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 or better to be considered in good academic standing.

1. Meet GPA Requirement - Student must make sure their overall GPA is at or above 2.0.
2. Complete 67% of Attempted credits - Student must complete a minimum of 67% of all attempted credits. Drops, failing grades, incompletes, and withdrawals will be counted in the 67% requirement. Developmental courses are also counted in the 67% calculation after each semester.
3. Graduate within the Maximum Time Frame - Maximum time frame is the total hours financial aid will fund while in a particular degree or certificate program. Students should only take required credit hours within their degree plan.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Determining Financial Aid Eligibility

Federal regulations (34 CFR 668.34) mandate that a student receiving financial assistance under federal Title IV programs must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in his/her course of study regardless of whether or not financial aid is awarded each semester. Students pursuing a certificate or associate degree are responsible for understanding and adhering to the financial aid satisfactory academic progress policy. 

For the complete SAP policy visit our website at https://www.laredo.edu/admissions/financial-aid/index.html 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal

Federal regulations allow for certain student cases in which the institutions may grant a SAP Appeal. SAP Appeals may be considered if a student’s failure to comply with one or more areas of Satisfactory Academic Progress is due to events beyond the student’s control, such as a student’s extended illness, serious illness or death in the immediate family or other significant life experience that impacted the student’s emotional and/or physical health, and if such mitigating circumstances can be appropriately documented for the specific term(s) in which the deficiency occurred. Eligibility to receive financial aid funds may be regained by appeal. Students wishing to appeal must have a current FAFSA application on file and complete all verification requirements. SAP Appeals are not considered in the Summer. Contact the Student Financial Aid & Veteran Affairs Service Center to obtain a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form. SAP Appeals are considered on a case-by-case basis; and when granted are granted only once. 

The following circumstances are not considered extenuating and beyond the student's control, but based on personal choices:

• Incarceration resulting from a guilty verdict
• Voluntary pause, lapse, or termination of employment
• Voluntary overtime
• Young and irresponsible

It is important for all students to understand that the primary financial responsibility for paying for college lies with the parent and the student. All appropriate applications, documentation, and information must be accurate.  In the case of a self-supporting student, the primary financial responsibility lies with the student and/or the spouse, if married. Therefore, the purpose in completing the financial aid application process is to determine the expected contribution from income and assets toward the total cost of education by the student, his/her parents or spouse if married.

Return to Title IV Funds (R2T4)

In accordance with federal law, if a student who has been awarded Title IV aid withdraws, is withdrawn, stops attending, or fails to earn a passing grade in a semester, Laredo College must calculate the amount that must be returned by the institution and/or student to Title IV programs.

If the amount awarded to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, unearned funds must be returned. If the amount awarded to the student is less than the amount the student earned, and for which the student is otherwise eligible, the student is eligible to receive a post-withdrawal disbursement of the earned aid that was not received.

Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Public Law 105-244 (the Amendments of 1998)

Students who completely withdraw from classes and who received federal or state financial assistance MUST refund to the appropriate program(s) a percentage of their aid AFTER tuition, fees, institutional short-term loans and other institutional charges or credits have been paid.

This Return to Title IV (R2T4) refund policy comes into effect when the student completely withdraws at or before the 60% point in time (of the semester) or approximately nine (9) weeks into the semester or four (4) weeks into the summer sessions.

Students who receives an "F_" as a grade for all courses will also be considered for a Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation, unless the student can provide documentation of attendance throughout the full 60% of the semester. The Office of Financial Aid makes every effort to verify the student's attendance, but ultimately it is the student's responsibility to provide evidence that he/she attended the class(es).

Failure to return the funds will result in an administrative "hold" being placed on all student records and ineligible for future financial assistance at any institution.  

For the complete R2T4 policy please visit our website: https://www.laredo.edu/admissions/financial-aid/index.html

Attendance Regulations

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of each student in every class. Responsibility for class attendance rests with the student. A student absent from class bears full responsibility for all material covered in class.

Attendance records will be kept for the first 12 class days during the fall semester and the spring semester, the first two days during Maymester, first four class days during the summer session. Students who fail to attend class during this period will be administratively withdrawn from the course by the instructor. No formal attendance is required after the official census date except in cases where a program is required to keep attendance records by their respective accreditation agency.

Students have the right and the responsibility to initiate a drop request from any course. Requests for withdrawal from a course may be submitted online or at the Office of the Registrar and Admissions.

Students on financial aid will be required to return financial aid funds if a non-participatory grade is received for all classes.

Non-Participatory Grading:

F_ - Failing

NC_ - No credit

NP_ - No pass

NPDV - No pass developmental

NCDV - No credit developmental

Department of Education (DOE) Definitions of Failing grade:

When students are awarded an F or F_ at the end of the semester. The difference is as follows:

• F (Failing) is awarded to students who complete the course but fail to achieve the course objectives or earn a passing grade.

• F_ (Non Participatory Failure) is awarded to students who did not officially withdraw from the course but who failed to participate in course activities.

Department of Education (DOE) definition of Academically Related Activities:

Face to Face Courses:

• Physically attending a class where there is an opportunity for direct interaction between the instructor and students;
• Submitting an academic assignment;
• Taking an exam, an interactive tutorial or computer-assisted instruction;
• Attending a study group that is assigned by the school;
• Participating in an online discussion about academic matters; and
• Initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studies in the course.

Distance Education Courses:

• Documenting that a student has logged onto an on-line class is not sufficient by itself.
• School must demonstrate that a student participated in class or was otherwise engaged in an academically related activity such as contributing to an on-line discussion or initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a course related question.

Other Grades (for documentation purposes only):

• NC (no credit) is awarded to students who complete the course but fail to earn credit.
• NC_ (no credit for non-participation) is awarded to students who did not officially withdraw from the course but who failed to participate in course activities.
• NP (no pass) is awarded to students who complete the course but fail to earn credit.
• NP_ (no pass for non-participation) is awarded to students who did not officially withdraw from the course but who failed to participate in course activities.
• Due to the current grading history the developmental courses underscore is opposite of the F grade.
• NP_DV (no credit developmental course) is awarded to students who complete the course but fail to earn credit.
• NPDV (no credit developmental for non-participation) is awarded to students who did not officially withdraw from the course but who failed to participate in course activities.
• NC_DV (no credit developmental course) is awarded to students who complete the course but fail to earn credit.
• NCDV (no credit developmental for non-participation) is awarded to students who did not officially withdraw from the course but who failed to participate in course activities.

Withdrawals

Students are responsible for withdrawing from courses after the official reporting day.

In order to assist with attendance issues faculty may choose to include participation as part of a course grade.

Procedures to Follow When Suspecting Fraud

If you suspect that a student, employee, or other individual has misreported information or altered documentation to fraudulently obtain federal funds, report that individual to the Office of Inspector General (OIG), at 214-661-9530. This includes false claims of independent student status, false claims of citizenship, use of false identities, forgery of signatures of certifications, and false statements of income. Fraud is the intent to deceive as opposed to a mistake.

The National Hotline address is:

Office of Inspector General
US. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1500

Telephone Number:

1-800-MIS-USED
(1-800-647-8733)

Hours:

M, W 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. T, Th 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Online:

To submit a complaint online at any time go to https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/hotline.html  and click on the appropriate link.

Financial aid information is available on the Federal Student Aid website, studentaid.ed.gov, and the College of All Texans website, www.collegeforalltexans.com. Undocumented students can use the college guide for undocumented students to discover information on the DREAM Act and DACA, as well as financial aid for undocumented students.

The Office of Financial Aid at Laredo College is committed to conducting business ethically and with the utmost integrity.  As members of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), we also adhere to their Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals. https://www.nasfaa.org/Statement_of_Ethical_Principles

If you require assistance with anything concerning financial aid, please contact us at finaid@laredo.edu.

 

Fort McIntosh

Lerma Pena Building Room 143

956.721.5361

finaid@laredo.edu

South Campus

Billy Hall One Stop Shop Room 109

956.794.4361

finaid@laredo.edu

Hours of Operation

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8AM-6PM	8AM-6PM	8AM-6PM	8AM-6PM	8AM-12PM