Lone Star College System wants all current and future students to be aware; it’s not too late to apply for financial aid.
“The majority of our students that complete the Free Application For Student Aid form and institutional worksheet will qualify for some type of assistance,” said LSCS financial aid director, Jason Kot.
“There are a number of avenues students can receive assistance, from federal and state grants to federal Stafford loans,” he said.
During the 2007-2008 academic year, 9,525 student received federal grants or federal loans totaling $32,376,540. LSCS students also applied for and received state grants totaling $2,480,197.
“When you compare that we have more than 51,000 students enrolled to the number that apply for financial aid, you can see we have a much greater potential to assist students,” said Kot.
To date for the 2008-2009 academic year, 7,086 students have already received financial aid in the amount of $15,363,092.
Registration for the spring 2009 semester is underway and the LSCS financial aid department is encouraging all students to complete the necessary forms to be eligible for financial assistance.
‘What we want to communicate to students is the majority that applies will qualify for some type of assistance. It also doesn’t matter when they apply. If they are enrolled in the fall semester it is still not too late,” said Kot.
Steps to beginning the financial aid process, necessary forms and contacts are all available at http://www.lonestar.edu/6402/. The FAFSA form is also available by accessing http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Counselors are available at all colleges to assist with questions regarding the financial aid process.
“The new FAFSA will be available beginning Jan.1 and some funds are based on availability. Students who complete the process early have a better chance of receiving those funds,” he said.
Lone Star College System consists of five colleges, including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers and Lone Star College-University Center. With more than 51,000 students in credit classes this fall, LSCS is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and third largest community college system in Texas. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.
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