Which Type Is Right For You?
There are several types of financial aid available to LSC students and financial aid packages may include more than one type of award.
The combined total of all awards must not exceed a student’s cost of attendance (COA). If a student’s financial aid package exceeds his/her COA, awards will be adjusted according to federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
Gift Aid
- Grants
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What Are Grants?
A grant is money set aside by both the state of Texas and the federal government for students who need it to pay for college. The most common federal education grant is the Pell Grant.
What Is The Benefit of A Grant?
Grants are based on need and are often called "gift aid" because they do not need to be repaid.
- Scholarships
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What Are Scholarships?
Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor of the award. Scholarships can be based on merit, need, demographics, or career focus.
What Is The Benefit of A Scholarship?
Scholarships are often called "gift aid" because they do not need to be repaid.
- Workforce Grants
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What Are Workforce Grants?
Workforce grants are based on financial need and allow students to obtain the skills needed to successfully reenter the workforce.
How Are Workforce Grants Different?
Workforce grants are only for students who are interested in short-term workforce training so they can quickly enter the workforce.
- Workforce Scholarships
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What Are Workforce Scholarships?
Workforce scholarships, provided through a third party vendor, allow students to obtain the skills needed to successfully reenter the workforce.
What Do They Cover?
The scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, and other related costs for individuals who enroll in one of the approved training programs.
How Are Workforce Scholarships Different?
Workforce scholarships are for students interested in entering the workforce upon completion of certificate or AAS, not to transfer to a University.
- Relief Fund
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Lone Star College received $216,291,757 million in HEERF funding for Student Financial Aid.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) were provided to higher education institutions through three different legislative acts: first the CARES Act passed in March 2020, then the CRRSAA passed in December 2020, and finally the ARP passed in March 2021. LSC is using these funds to provide students with financial aid grants, which may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.
Self-Help Aid
- Student Loans
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What Is A Student Loan?
A student loan is designed to help students pay for tuition, books, and living expenses. Student Loans must be repaid.
How Are They Different from Other Loans?
Usually, student loans will have a substantially lower interest rate and the repayment schedule may be deferred while the student is in higher education.
- Work-Study Program
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What Is Work-Study?
Federal and State Work-Study Program provide jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses.
How Does It Work?
Each campus has a career service office that can also help you with other student job opportunities. Work study can be awarded to students with need who work on campus and who are paid according to the hours worked.
Awards vary based on amount of need and work-study students are not guaranteed a job. Work study earnings are not paid in advance so they cannot be used to pay the direct costs (tuition, books, etc.) of the semester in which they are awarded.
Additional Aid
- Veterans Affairs
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What Does LSC Offer For Veterans?
Financial aid is available to students receiving VA educational assistance. Contact your campus VA Financial Aid counselor and find out more information today. VA Financial Aid Counselors will assist you with scholarships, grants, loans, Hazlewood Act, Active Duty Military Tuition Assistance, and National Guard Tuition Assistance.
