When applying for financial aid, do not wait. The process can be lengthy at times and many funds that students are eligible for are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Financial aid is not disbursed until you have been admitted into a degree seeking program and all required documents have been received by the Lamar University Financial Aid Office.

STEP 1
Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by applying online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will have to complete the FAFSA every year using the most recent income tax information. You need to complete a new FAFSA the first year and a renewal FAFSA in subsequent years. You and one of your parents can speed up the process by obtaining a PIN to be able to sign the application on the Internet and never submit paperwork to the U.S. Dept of Education. A PIN can be obtained at www.pin.ed.gov. Make sure that Lamar University receives the information by listing Lamar University when you complete the FAFSA. Our school code is 003581. You will receive an acknowledgement from the U.S. Dept of Education upon receipt.

STEP 2
Once you have been admitted to Lamar University, you can log into your student account online and view what documents the Financial Aid Office is requesting. Once your electronic information is received by Lamar University, the Financial Aid Office will request additional documentation before you are awarded. Many times we will request a signed copy of your and your parents’ tax returns from the tax year requested on the FAFSA, a copy of all corresponding W-2’s, a verification worksheet (available on LU’s Financial Aid website), and documentation of additional untaxed income such as child support, IRA/Keogh deductions, workers compensation, and interest on tax-free bonds.

STEP 3
Once we have received all of the requested paperwork, reviewed it, and verified it; you will be awarded grants and loans for which you are eligible. During this process we will also re-evaluate your academic progress. If you are not meeting Lamar University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards, then your aid will be put on hold. You will have an opportunity to appeal, if you are not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards, by submitting an appeal letter to the Financial Aid Office. Make sure that all necessary documentation is submitted and you fully explain why academic standards were not met.

STEP 4
Once financial aid has been awarded you will need to accept the grants and loans online and follow the additional instructions for student loans to ensure the funds arrive as soon as possible. Students must completely follow all instructions to receive all of their financial aid. Once students accept their loans, students will need to complete an additional step by completing the loans by web process. The link to loans by web: LoansbyWeb This step is available 24 hours after the student has accepted their loans. Parents wishing to request a PLUS loan need to follow the PLUS loan request instructions on our website. Once we receive a request for the PLUS loan and all required documentation is complete the parent will have to complete a Plus Loan Refund Release form telling us whether the refund, if any as a result of the PLUS loan, should be given to the parent or the student. Graduate students requesting a Graduate PLUS loan must submit the appropriate loan worksheet. Federal Perkins Loan Awards must be accepted in person in the Financial Aid Office.

STEP 5
Provided you have registered during the priority registration time frame, registered for the number of hours stated on your FASFA, and all your processing is complete, money will be disbursed to your account up to three days before classes begin. Any residual money (refund) will be disbursed to you through the Cardinal One Card. Note: Prior to Lamar University releasing your funds, we will check the number of class hours in which you are enrolled, satisfactory academic progress, default status, and if you have completed the entrance counseling requirement.

TO CHECK THE PROGRESS OF YOUR STUDENT LOANS/GRANTS ONLINE

1. Go to www.lamar.edu.

2. Click on “myLamar”

3. Log in. If you do not have a user name and password go to “How do I get a user name and password?”

4. Once logged in click on the “Student Services” tab

5. In the Web for Students box click on:

**New**

6. Look under the “Financial Aid” tab. Under this title you will see various links that provide a large amount of information concerning your financial aid account.

TO DOWNLOAD STUDENT FINANCIAL AID FORMS

1. Go to the Financial Aid Website at www.lamar.edu/financialaid

2. Click on “Forms” Lamar University is committed to helping students attain their educational goals and expand their opportunities. Financial aid is monetary assistance to help with costs associated with attendance at Lamar University. The three main types of financial aid are Grants/Scholarships, Work-Study, and Educational Loans.

Lamar University is committed to helping students attain their educational goals and expand their opportunities. Financial aid is monetary assistance to help with costs associated with attendance at Lamar University. The three main types of financial aid are Grants/Scholarships, Work-Study, and Educational Loans.

THINGS TO REMEMBER
The priority date for submitting all documents required for financial aid awards is April l.

Satisfactory Academic Progress must be maintained in order to continue to receive financial aid. Lamar University will not automatically award or process any loans for individuals who have defaulted on their student loans. Students 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.