Financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and employment is available to a number of qualified students. Information regarding programs and eligibility criteria can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid, 410 Front Street, Orange, Texas 77630, at (409) 882-3317 or by visiting https://www.lsco.edu/financialaid/financialaid.asp.
How to Apply for Financial Aid and Awards
Students wishing to apply for grants, work-study, and/or loans must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may complete the FAFSA online at https://studentaid.gov/.The FAFSA is a good for one academic year, a renewal FAFSA will need to be submitted in subsequent years.
After the application is submitted, the student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Department of Education. The Student Aid Report contains the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) that is used in determining the student’s eligibility to receive financial aid. The type and amount of assistance will be determined by the Office of Financial Aid based on several factors. The FAFSA is used to apply for both federal and state financial aid.
Texas residents who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA may apply for state aid by submitting the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) at www.collegeforalltexans.com. A new TASFA must be submitted every aid year to apply for state aid.
Students wishing to be considered for scholarships must submit a scholarship application at https://www.lsco.edu/scholarships/scholarships.asp. Students should be aware that scholarship funds are limited and recipients normally must have grade point averages above 2.5 to be considered.
When to Apply for Financial Aid and Awards
Students may begin applying for financial aid as early as October 1st for the upcoming academic year. Texas has a state priority deadline of January 15th for state grants. The most desirable types of financial aid such as grants and scholarships are limited so students should apply as soon as possible, preferably before April 1st.
To ensure all financial aid requirements are complete before the first day of class, applications and required documents should be completed by June 1st.
Types of Aid
LSCO offers numerous federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs to assist with the cost to attend school. A financial aid handbook is available in the Financial Aid Office and published at https://www.lsco.edu/financialaid/financialaid.asp with detailed information for each program.
Types of aid available to LSCO students include:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Work-Study
- Veteran Education Benefits
- State Exemptions and Waivers
- Federal Student Loans
Grants
A grant is a form of need based financial aid that doesn’t typically have to be repaid, unless it is determined that the student is no longer eligible due to a change in enrollment or financial need. With the exception of the Federal Pell Grant, grants are allocated to colleges in yearly, limited amounts, so a student may show eligibility but may not receive an award if grant funds have been exhausted.
The following grants are available to eligible students at LSCO.
Pell Federal Pell Grant
Federal SEOG Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
TPEG Texas Public Education Grant
TEOG Texas Educational Opportunity Grant
Students can apply for these grants by submitting a FAFSA. Texas residents who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA may apply for TPEG and TEOG by submitting a TASFA. Students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours and meeting eligibility requirements to receive a grant. Students with exceptional need as determined by the Department of Education may receive a Pell grant if enrolled in less than six credit hours.
Male students, between the ages of 18-25, must be registered for selective service to receive TPEG or TEOG.
Work-Study
Federal and state work-study programs provide part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for education expenses. To apply, students must complete a FAFSA and apply for employment at https://jobs.lsco.edu/.
Students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours and meeting eligibility requirements. Male students, age 18-25, must be registered for selective service to receive Texas Work-Study.
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. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours to receive a loan.
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.
Students must complete Exit Counseling at https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/ if they withdraw, are graduating, or if their enrollment drops below half-time (six credit hours).
Financial aid staff are available to provide guidance to students who may need to borrow a student loan. Students may visit the Financial Aid Office or https://www.lsco.edu/financialaid/financialaid.asp for more information about student loans.
Information about repayment and managing loan debt can be found at, https://www.lsco.edu/financialaid/become-responsible-borrower.asp.
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
- Betty Jo Spence Scholarship – for students seeking a degree in Liberal Arts, based on merit.
- Chevron Phillips Scholarship—first-time freshmen and/or non-traditional students from an Orange County high school with a 3.0 GPA, based on merit, preferably majoring in Industrial/Process technology.
- Cloeren, Inc Scholarship – for new students or returning students in good academic standing that enroll in at least six (6) semester hours per long semester and pursue a certificate or degree in the Electro Mechanical Technology program.
- 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.
- Invista Scholarship Program – for Orange County students seeking a certificate or degree in industrial/process technology, welding, business mgmt., safety, health and environmental, computer science, EMS or nursing.
- Mary Schlesinger Endowed Scholarship—first-time freshmen or presently enrolled students with full-time status, based on merit.
- Sabine Federal Credit Union—members of the Sabine Federal Credit Union, based on merit.
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:
- Del Papa Centennial Scholarship – for students majoring in business or marketing fields.
- Hulda and Carroll B. Shaddock, Jr., MD Endowed Scholarship – this scholarship fund is established by Mr. Bill Shaddock to honor and perpetuate the memory of his mother and father, for students of Orange County.
- Master Gardener Scholarship – for any student, based on merit and need.
- Orange County Board of Realtors – this scholarship is for students living in Orange County.
- Orange Memorial Endowed Scholarship – for Orange County students enrolled in health-related fields such as nursing, dental assisting, pharmacy technology, medical office professional, medical office assistant and natural science.
- The Houseman Scholarship – for students majoring in business or a related field, (two-year term).
- President’s Scholarship—for first-time freshmen, based on merit, recommended for local high schools.
- Womack Scholarship—for first-time freshmen students, based on merit and need, recommended for local high schools.
Stark Foundation Scholarships
- 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.
Wellspring Credit Union Scholarships
- Wellspring Credit Union Scholarship – for new or returning students in good academic standing that enroll in at least six (6) credit hours during the semester, and submit the required application and essay.
- Kevin Hanks Memorial Scholarship- this scholarship was established to honor and perpetuate his memory and is for new or returning students in good academic standing that enroll in at least six (6) credit hours during the semester, and submit the required application and essay.
Exemptions/Waivers
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
- Firefighters 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
- Educational Aide Exemption
Students must meet the requirements established by the state to be eligible. 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 office 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 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
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
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.
Financial Aid Award Notification
The Financial Aid Office will begin sending financial aid award notification emails in late spring for the upcoming academic year. Students are able to access their financial aid package in their Gator Self Service account. All emails sent from the Financial Aid Office will be sent to the student’s LSCO student email address. The college will continue to package federal student aid throughout the academic year and state and institutional aid as long as funds are available.
Grants and work-study are automatically accepted for the student, however additional documents may be required for certain state grants. Students will be notified by email if additional documents are needed.
Loans are NOT automatically accepted for the student, instead positive confirmation through either a written request or Gator Self-Service is required. Students may accept their loan offer by logging into their Gator Self Service account. Information on how to accept a loan can be obtained by visiting the Financial Aid Office or at https://www.lsco.edu/financialaid/Applying%20for%20Direct%20Loans.pdf.
Students are awarded financial aid under the assumption that they will be attending full-time (12 semester credit hours) for the entire academic year. The student’s financial aid package may be adjusted if the student does not attend full time for this entire period.
Financial Aid Disbursement
Financial aid will be disbursed no more than ten days before the students first day of class. If receiving a loan for one semester, the student will receive two loan disbursements. The second disbursement will be applied mid-way through the semester. First year, first time loan borrowers will have a 30-day hold placed on their loans.
Students may view their anticipated disbursement date in Gator-Self Service.
Academic Progress Standards for Federal and State Aid Programs
Students are required to meet LSCO’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to receive federal and state financial aid. The SAP standards are:
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA. Included in this calculation will be all college coursework attempted at all schools attended.
- Maintain a pace of at least 70%. Courses attempted include all courses for which a student is registered. In order for a course to be considered complete, the student must receive a grade of A, B, C, D, or S. Grades of W, Q, F, U, NG or I will not be considered as complete for SAP purposes. Included in this calculation will be all college coursework accepted at the institution.
- Complete degree within 150% of the published length of the degree program. For example, if the stated number of hours for a degree program is 60 hours the student may receive aid for no more than 90 hours. (60 x 1.5 = 90) Included in this total will be all college coursework attempted at all schools attended.
- TEOG recipients are required to meet the state’s more stringent requirements at the end of a renewal year. Visit http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/ for more information.
Students should visit https://www.lsco.edu/financialaid/standards-of-satisfactory-academic-progress.asp to learn more about the SAP policy and appeal procedures.
Academic Progress Standards for State Exemptions and Waivers
In accordance with Texas Senate Bill 1210, undergraduate students receiving certain waivers/exemptions are required to meet the following academic requirements.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0- The GPA calculation includes coursework attempted at all schools for which the institution has evaluated a transcript.
- Not have attempted as of the beginning of the semester or term, a number of semester credit hours that is considered to be excessive under Section 54.014. Students are considered to have excessive hours if before the semester begins, the student has attempted credit hours that exceed the credit hour required by the student’s degree program by at least 15 credit hours. For a 60 credit hour program, the student cannot exceed 75 credit hours. Students who are not enrolled in a degree program are considered to be enrolled in an associate degree program and must not exceed 75 credit hours.
Visit https://www.lsco.edu/financialaid/hardship-policy-for-state-waivers-exemptions.asp to learn more about these requirements and the hardship policy.
Academic Progress Standards for Scholarships
Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA to receive institutional scholarships.
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
Students who do not qualify for work-study may seek employment as a student assistant. 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 job programs on line at https://jobs.lsco.edu.
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.
|
