Awarding Financial Aid
Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are completed. This allows students aid files to be processed fairly. (Complete files include a FAFSA/(Student Aid Report), an Lone Star College System Application for Financial Assistance, and all documentation required by the Dept. of Education or Lone Star College System.)
What an advisor looks for when reviewing your file:
- That documents are complete and signed,
- The accuracy of data reported on FAFSA (if selected for verification),
- Determine whether you meet federal and state eligibility requirements for aid,
- That Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements are being met.
3 possible results after your file is reviewed by an advisor:
- Aid will be awarded and an award notice will be emailed to you.
- If you are not awarded aid you will be sent a non-eligible email.
- Additional information is needed to complete your application. You will be notified by email of the documentation needed.
- Academic requirements for receiving aid have not been met as outlined in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirement. You will be notified of this by email with instructions for the proper appeal procedure.
Award Letters
When you are awarded financial aid an award letter will be mailed to you. The award letter contains information about your eligibility for aid and the amount of aid you were awarded. Important parts of your award letter include:
- Your Cost of Attendance (COA)-is the cost to attend Lone Star College System (a combination of tuition, books, supplies, personal expenses and other factors)
- Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)-this is the amount the Dept. of Education has calculated that you are expected to contribute toward your education. It is calculated by applying a federal formula to the data you submitted on your FAFSA.
- Your Financial Need-calculated by subtracting your EFC from your cost of attendance. (COA-EFC)
- The number of hours on which your financial aid is based. Most financial aid must be recalculated if your enrollment status changes. When your enrollment status changes a revised award email will be sent to you.
READ your award email carefully.
It is your responsibility to know the requirements for receiving your financial aid awards. Our advisors will be happy to answer any questions, but the Terms and Conditions Policy is the best source of information about keeping your financial aid.
If you have any questions about your financial aid award email, please contact our office.