Federal Grants
Federal Pell grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. These funds are not required to be paid back. The amount awarded is based on the student's Student Aid Index (SAI)/Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the number of credit hours the student is enrolled for the semester. A student must submit a FAFSA to be eligible.
Grant Totals
Awards are partially based on your SAI/EFC as determined by the FAFSA and enrollment. The amount you may receive will depend on your SAI/EFC, cost of attendance, enrollment status, and whether you attend school for a full academic year. You may only receive Pell grant funds from one institution at a time.
NOTICE!
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Students enrolled less than full-time may still receive a Pell grant subject to their SAI/EFC
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Lower SAI's/EFC's typically result in more Pell grants
Additional Information
Pell Recalculation Policy (PRD)
Each term, the Office of Financial Aid will establish a single Pell Recalculation Date (PRD). The PRD will occur after the census date for 8-week and 16-week courses but prior to the withdrawal deadline for the first 8-week courses. The student's enrollment intensity will be recorded at the end of the PRD. After this date, Pell Grant eligibility will remain unchanged, even if there are subsequent additions or drops in course enrollment, except in cases where an initial Pell calculation has not been established or a mandatory recalculation is required.
Exceptions:
- Initial Pell Calculation After PRD: If the initial Pell recalculation is performed after the PRD because the student was not enrolled in any classes at the time, the enrollment intensity from the initial Pell calculation will be used, regardless of the PRD. Once the initial Pell calculation is established, no further adjustments will be made for subsequent changes in enrollment intensity.
- Mandatory Pell Recalculation: A recalculation of Pell Grant eligibility is required if:
- The student officially or unofficially withdraws from courses.
- The student did not begin attendance in one or more enrolled courses.
Disbursement of Financial Aid
Overview of Disbursement: Disbursement refers to the process by which financial aid funds—federal, state, and scholarship are applied to a student's account to cover tuition, fees, and other eligible charges. Disbursements are processed after a student has met all eligibility requirements, including enrollment verification and passing the Pell Recalculation Date (PRD).
Direct Application to Student Accounts: Financial aid funds are first authorized to student accounts to cover institutional charges, including tuition and fees, as students register for courses.
Student Authorizations
Federal law allows Laredo College to use federal financial aid funds to automatically cover institutional charges, such as tuition, fees, and other related educational expenses. Students must provide authorization for the use of federal funds for non-institutional charges, such as late fees and penalties, at the Bursar’s Office.
- Automatic Authorization: Once a student’s financial aid file is complete and they meet the eligibility criteria, Laredo College authorizes financial aid funds upon registration to cover institutional charges. Students have the option to opt-out of this automatic authorization by submitting a written request to the Office of Financial Aid.
- Authorization Process for Non-Institutional Charges: Students who wish to use federal funds to cover non-institutional charges must provide written authorization to the Bursar’s Office before disbursement. Students who decide to revoke authorization must contact the Bursar’s Office promptly.
Student Notifications
Laredo College is committed to ensuring that financial aid disbursement, including Title IV funds, is conducted in a timely, compliant, and transparent manner. The goal is to keep students informed throughout the disbursement process.
- Authorization Confirmation: Financial aid is authorized upon student enrollment. Students receive an automatic email confirming that funds are authorized to cover institutional charges.
- Refund Confirmation: Students will receive notification via their official LC email when financial aid has been refunded to their account. The email is issued by the Bursar’s Office.
- Balance Notifications: If there is a remaining balance after financial aid has been applied, the Bursar’s Office will notify the student, including the amount due and the payment deadline.