When applying for financial aid, do not wait. It is important for you to get started as soon as possible and take the time to make sure you have completed all the right forms. Financial aid is not awarded until all required documents have been received by the Office of Lamar University Financial Aid (LUFA) .

Step l
Complete and mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in the envelope provided, or you can complete the application on-line . With the information provided, a Student Aid Report (SAR) will be generated for your records. In order to ensure that LUFA receives the SAR promptly, include the Federal School Code and Housing Code on page 6 of the FAFSA. Lamar University's Federal School Code is OO3581. When you list our Federal School Code, the Department of Education will release an electronic record of your financial information to the Financial Aid Office. We are not able to process your financial aid application until a valid electronic record is received from the U.S. Department of Education.

Step 2
Once we receive the FAFSA information we will mail ONE missing information letter that lists all documents that are required. From this point on we will email all notifications to your Lamar University email account, or if you have never registered for class you are responsible for checking your status by logging into SIS Online at www.lamar.edu/touchnet, clicking on “Personal Financial Aid Information “ then clicking on “Student Requirements”

Step 3
Once your file is complete, LUFA will review all the forms you submitted to determine your eligibility for grants, Federal Work-Study and loans.

Step 4
LUFA will email your Lamar University email account with notification that you have been awarded financial aid. You must login to SIS Online to view and accept your awards. We do not award or process any Stafford student loans without the student’s request. If you would like a student loan you must submit a Loan Worksheet once all of your paperwork is complete and you are registered for classes. If your parent would like a parent PLUS loan processed a PLUS Loan Worksheet must be submitted to our office once all paperwork is complete and you are registered for class.

Step 5
LUFA certifies your loan. If the lender you have chosen your application guarantees with Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC), the loan information is transmitted to TGSLC. If your lender does not have a Master Promissory Note (MPN) on file for you, TGSLC will mail you a MPN to complete and mail to your lender. If you are a first-time Stafford Student Loan borrower, you must either complete the entrance interview on-line or attend a Loan Entrance Interview session.

Step 6
Money received from scholarships, grants and institutional loans will be applied to your university student account of Lamar University no sooner than three days prior to the start of the term. If your lender guarantees its loans through TGSLC and participates in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), the proceeds from your loans will arrive by EFT. After payment of tuition and fees, any remaining funds will be refunded (by check) and mailed to the student's mailing address.

Things to Remember
The priority date for submitting all documents required for
financial aid awards is April l.

V.A. benefits may need to be verified with an award letter from the V.A. Office.

Eligible non-citizens are required to submit a copy of their immigration visa
and additional documents, if requested.

Y ou must be admitted to Lamar University before financial aid can be awarded.

Satisfactory Academic Progress must be maintained in order to
continue to receive financial aid.

LU will not automatically award or process any loans for individuals
who have defaulted on their student loans. Student submitting documentation that the defaulted loan has been repaid or satisfactory repayment arrangements have been made may be considered for grant and work study. The letter (from the respective guaranty agency) must also state that the student is now eligible for further financial aid.