Types of Aid

Grants

The Federal Pell Grant is the foundation for all other need-based programs. Students are considered for other financial aid awards after their eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant has been determined. Students must adhere to the satisfactory academic progress policy along with meeting the need-based eligibility requirement to receive financial aid. The requirements of the satisfactory academic progress policy are available in the Office of Financial Aid.

The final amount of the Federal Pell Grant is determined at the time of Leverage Educational Assistance Partnership Program enrollment.

In addition to the Federal Pell Grant Program, Lamar State College Orange participates in the following need-based grant programs:

Loans

Federal Direct Loans are available through the U.S. Department of Education. In order to apply for Direct Loans, the student must complete the FAFSA form. They must also complete an online entrance counseling session and a Master Promissory Note.

Direct Loans must be repaid. Direct Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. The federal government pays interest on loan (subsidizes the loan) until the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time status. An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. Students will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.

Scholarships

Scholarships are funds that cover portions of students’ expenses. A limited number of Lamar State College Orange and endowed scholarships are available to students who qualify based on merit and/or need. The amounts and numbers of these awards will vary each year depending on available funding and student need.

Scholarships at Lamar State College Orange are of two types: those administered solely by the College, including the selection of recipients; and those administered by the College at the request of donors who select the recipients themselves. Scholarship application forms and information concerning other requirements and deadlines are available in the Office of Financial Aid and online at http://www.lsco.edu/scholarships/scholarships.asp.

General Scholarships

• Better Business Bureau – for full-time students, based on merit and need.
• Chevron/Phillips Scholarship – entering freshmen and/or non-traditional students from an Orange County high school with a 3.0 GPA, based on merit.
• Del Papa Centennial Scholarship – for students majoring in a business or marketing field.
• Don & Claire Marshall Memorial Scholarship – a student who has a physical disability.
• Donald T. Boumans Memorial Scholarship – this scholarship fund is established by the Donald T. Boumans Foundation to honor and perpetuate his memory, for students enrolled in process technology or business management.
• Hulda and Carroll B. Shaddock, Jr., MD – this scholarship fund is established by Mr. Bill Shaddock to honor and perpetuate the memory of his mother and father, for residents of Orange County.
• Mary Schlesinger Endowed Scholarship – entering freshmen or presently enrolled students with full-time status, based on merit.
• Master Gardener Scholarship – for all students, based on merit and need.
• Orange Memorial Scholarship – for Orange County students enrolled in a medical program such as nursing, dental assisting, or pharmacy technology and in good academic standing.
• Sabine Federal Credit Union – members of the DuPont Credit Union or members of their families, based on merit.
• Service League Health Care Scholarship – for students enrolled in allied health programs.
• Tony Houseman Memorial Scholarship – for students majoring in business or a related field.- -

Lamar State College Orange Foundation Scholarships

The Lamar State College Orange Foundation provides scholarship assistance to students who meet the minimum eligibility requirements. In addition to the general scholarship fund, the foundation has endowed programs designed for specific purposes:

• A.H. Montagne Memorial Scholarship – Orangefield High School graduate, based on merit and need.
• Betty Jo Spence Scholarship Fund – for students seeking an associate degree in liberal arts, based on merit and need.
• Cecil Beeson Endowment – for Orange County students who are pursuing technical programs of study.
• Claude W. Smith Endowment – for Orange County students, based on need.
• Martin Thomen Fund – provides scholarship aid to students enrolled in allied health programs, based on need.
• President’s Scholarship – for first-time entering freshmen, based on merit, recommended by high schools.
• Service League of Orange Scholarship – for high school seniors selected by the Service League.
• Womack Scholarship – for all students, based on merit and need.

Stark Foundation Scholarships

• Nelda C. and H. J. Lutcher Stark Scholarship – focuses on students majoring in industrial arts and similar business, economic-related studies, or education fields of study.
• Nelda C. Stark Scholarship – focuses on students majoring in allied health and similar medical, health, nursing, or science-related fields of study.

Short-Term Loans

Lamar State College Orange provides short-term loans. Short-term loans for 60 days are designated to pay tuition and fees during registration and must be repaid within the semester in which the loan is made. Students withdrawing from the College remain responsible for the repayment of the short-term loan. Students interested in acquiring short-term loans should contact the Business Office/Cashiers Office for information and application forms.

Employment

Employment opportunities under Federal Work-Study, State Work-Study and other employment programs of the College are available to Lamar State College Orange students as part of the financial assistance program. The College and local businesses and industries provide a number of part-time jobs that enable students to earn part or all of their expenses while attending the College. Students are able to apply for student assistant and work-study job programs on line at https://jobs.lsco.edu.

Exemptions

The state of Texas allows certain students to be exempt from paying all or a portion of tuition and fees. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid if they meet any of the conditions listed:

• Residents of the state of Louisiana
• Highest ranking high school graduate
• Veterans who do not receive Post 9/11 or VA Voc Rehab veteran education benefits
• Students who graduate from high school in three years or fewer
• Children of fire/peace officers who were killed in the line of duty
• Fire fighters enrolling in classes related to fire fighting
• Peace officers enrolled in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice courses
• Students who are blind and/or deaf
• Senior Citizen Tuition

For more information on these exemptions, visit www.collegeforalltexans.com.

Financial Assistance and Special Services for Disabled Students

The Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services offers assistance for tuition and non-refundable fees to students who have certain disabling conditions, provided their vocational objectives have been approved by a TWS-VRS counselor. Examples of such conditions are orthopedic deformities, emotional disorders, diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, etc. Other services are also available to assist handicapped students to become employable. Application for such services should be made at the Texas Workforce Solutions, Beaumont District Office, 5550 Eastex Freeway, Suite D, Beaumont, Texas 77708-5300, at (409) 924-7320 or (800) 242-8334.

The Advising and Counseling Office works closely with the Texas Workforce Solutions. Visually and hearing impaired students may be eligible for assistance, aid for the purchase of books, and assistance in acquiring specialized equipment. For more information call the Texas Workforce Solutions Division of the Blind, 5550 Eastex Freeway, Suite D, Beaumont, Texas, 77708, at (409) 899-8490 or (800) 687-7013.

Veterans’ Affairs Office

A Veterans’ Affairs Office is maintained in the Office of Financial Aid and assists veterans in obtaining their educational benefits. Possible VA benefits available for eligible veterans and their dependents include:

• Post 9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33
• Montgomery GI Bill, Chapter 30
• Montgomery GI Bill- Selected Reserve Chapter, 1606
• Montgomery GI Bill- Reserve Educational Assistance Program, Chapter 1607
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Vet Success Program, Chapter 31
• Survivors and Dependents Assistance, Chapter 35

For more information on any of these programs contact the financial aid office or visit www.gibill.va.gov.

Hazlewood Exemption for Texas Veterans

The purpose of the Hazlewood Exemption is to provide an education benefit to honorable discharged or separated Texas veterans and to eligible dependent children and spouses of Texas veterans. For eligibility requirements and other information visit https://www.tvc.texan.gov/education.

Policy Regarding Referrals of Suspected Fraud or Criminal Misconduct

In the event that an applicant is suspected of participating in fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with application for Title IV, HEA program assistance, the information will be referred to the appropriate college, state and/or federal authorities. These authorities may include, but are not limited to, college discipline officer, college police, Orange Police, and the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education.