The Laredo College Student Financial Aid Center is bringing students a step closer to funding their college education by hosting multiple events to help them complete their financial aid applications.
The 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) applications open on Oct. 1 each academic year. Thus, October is crucial for students to get a head start on submitting their applications early and ensure they are covered for the following academic year.
The LC FAFSA & TASFA Blitz Super Saturday events are designed for current and prospective students needing assistance completing the FAFSA and TASFA applications.
This year’s Super Saturday events will be hosted at both LC campuses. The Ft. McIntosh Campus Super Saturday will be on Oct. 1 at the Lerma Peña Building in room 148 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The second event will be held at the South Campus on Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Billy Hall Jr. Student Center in room 109.
In addition to helping students complete their FAFSA and TASFA applications, the Student Financial Aid Center can assist with financial aid status information, verification assistance if selected, appeals, scholarships, emergency loans and more. Although each case is different, most FAFSA and TASFA applications can be completed in 15 to 30 minutes.
Students who attend these events can enjoy refreshments, door prizes, giveaways and music. Other educational departments and programs such as the Veterans Affairs Office, Bursar’s Office and Cosmetology Program will have informational tables to provide information to students about their services and career opportunities.
“FAFSA is the key to becoming eligible to receive financial aid,” said Financial Aid Director Steven Aguilar. “Join us to receive free, individualized assistance completing the FAFSA and TASFA. Seniors and parents from UISD, LISD and other surrounding area high schools, as well as existing Laredo College students, are invited to this event.”
Applying for financial aid early helps students avoid long lines. Students who submit their FAFSA early are more likely to qualify for federal, state and college-offered grants. According to the educational website Saving for College, students who fill out the FAFSA between October and December get twice as many grants on average compared to students who file the FAFSA later.
Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA early because schools and states have limited amounts of student aid available, and some of it is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. If students wait until the spring to submit the FAFSA, their state or school could run out of money, and they may miss out on financial aid they otherwise could have received if they had submitted their FAFSA earlier.
Additionally, certain scholarships sponsored by businesses or organizations will ask for a student’s FAFSA information, and these frequently have early deadlines. Completing the FAFSA early will allow students to search for and apply for scholarships, minimizing the amount of student loans they need to take out.
During the month of October, the Student Financial Aid Center will have extended hours at both the Ft. McIntosh Campus Lerma Peña Building in room 148 and at the South Campus Billy Hall Jr. Student Center in room 109 to assist current LC students and high school seniors in completing their FAFSA or TASFA applications. They will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays.
Visit
www.laredo.edu/cms/fa for a complete checklist of all the required documents and information necessary to complete the FAFSA or TASFA.
For more information about financial aid or our October FAFSA & TASFA Blitz, contact the LC
Student Financial Aid Center at finaid@laredo.edu or (956) 721-5361.
