Your financial aid award letter will outline different financial aid options available to help finance your education. The aid offered to you is based on your expected family contribution (EFC), your cost of attendance (COA), and the availability of funding.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

When you submit your FAFSA application each year, a federal formula is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. This number is an estimate of how much a student and their family can contribute toward educational expenses. This number is not an actual dollar amount that you are expected to pay.

It is the number we must use to determine eligibility for need-based aid such as the Pell Grant and the Direct Subsidized Direct Loan.
Once the EFC is calculated for the aid year, it may only be revised based on limited exceptional circumstances such as loss of employment or medical expenses. If your resources are not accurately reflected by this year’s EFC, you may contact our office regarding the Special Circumstance Appeal process.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

This is an estimate of the total cost of attendance at LSCPA. This estimate includes tuition and fees, books and supplies as well as living costs such as housing, food, personal and miscellaneous expenses. Award amounts offered to reflect a two-term, full-time cost of attendance. These are estimated costs only and subject to change based on factors such actual credits are taken. The actual charges you can expect to see billed to the student account by LSCPA will only be tuition and fees on a per term basis. On Campus housing is not included on a student’s account.

Total Financial Need

Financial need is determined by subtracting EFC from the cost of attendance. The remainder is considered "unmet need". If no financial need remains, the student eligibility will consist of non-need based aid such as an unsubsidized loan.

How Financial Aid is Awarded

Funds are awarded to eligible recipients on a first-come-first-serve basis. Certain programs, such as the Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant, require the funding to go to students with the highest need. Need is determined by using the estimated costs for students by categories. The component used when estimating the cost include; (1) tuition and fees, (2) books (3) room and board, (4) transportation, (5) personal and (6) loan fees (if applicable). The expected family contribution (EFC) is generated through the financial information supplied on the student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid. "Need" is determined by the following formula. Cost of Attendance - EFC = Need. Certain programs such as the Federal Direct PLUS loan program may exceed the need, but may not exceed the total cost of attendance as established by the institution. Generally, students with a zero EFC will receive priority in the awarding process.

Students are considered for and awarded grant assistance and non-interest bearing loans prior to the awarding of the self-help aid. Work-study funds are awarded to a student if they are hired for a position. Federal Loans will be included in the award package but must be accepted by the student in order to initiate the loan process. Additional steps, such as the completion of Entrance Loan Counseling and the Master Promissory Note, are also required for the federal loan programs. You may review your aid package through the use of your MyLSCPA account.

Although self-help aid (Ce.g., federal loans) is included in the award package, the student should carefully construct a financial plan that fits the student’s comfort level for accumulating debt. The student is free to accept, reduce or decline the aid based on personal preference or need. Additionally, students have 14 days after the disbursement of the federal loan to rescind and return the funds to the program. Funds that are recouped due to declination by students or attrition of previously awarded students are awarded based on need, the timing of the receipt of the application, and/or the number of eligible applicants at the time of award.

Your Aid Offer

The financial aid offer is based on the expectation of full-time enrollment and is divided up over the two-term academic year. Summer term is optional and awarded based on the previous Fall and Spring disbursements. If a student has exceeded the maximum allowed in combined aid, prior to Summer, they would not be eligible for additional aid until the next award period begin. However, they may apply for a private loan. Your financial aid offer may include federal, state and institutional aid. The federal loan offers are limited by both yearly and aggregate limits.

Accept, Decline, Adjust

You can accept, decline, or adjust most parts of your financial aid award. The Pell Grant does not require your acceptance.  A student cannot make an upward adjustment, only reduce an existing award.

How Does My Aid Get Disbursed?

Your federal aid is disbursed (paid onto your account) in two equal installments during the fall and spring. Each term, your aid is disbursed onto your student billing account about a week prior to the start of that term.

Your aid can only be disbursed if:

• You have no outstanding holds or requirements. You can always check requirements in MyLSCPA under Eligibility.
• You have been awarded and accepted your financial aid.
• All required promissory notes for your loans have been signed and loan counseling is complete.
• You are enrolled.  Aid is always packaged for full-time enrollment. Your budget and aid may need to be adjusted if you are less than full-time.
• The credits you are registered for count towards your aid eligibility. Courses may be excluded due to retaking a passed class more than once or taking a class that does not apply to your degree plan.

How Does Adding and Dropping Courses Impact My Aid?

The timing of your enrollment changes can have a significant impact on your aid. We freeze your aid eligibility on our Census Date each term. Be sure to familiarize yourself with our policies regarding Census, Dropping Courses, and Withdrawals, which can be found in the college catalog, and our Satisfactory Academic Policy. 

How Does Financial Aid Work With Billing?

Financial aid disbursed to your student account pays your tuition and other university fees first. If the amount of your aid is greater than the eligible charges on your student account, the difference will be refunded to you by the Business Office. The Business Office is responsible for processing refunds from a student's account once financial aid has been applied. If you have questions about your bill or your refund, please contact the Business Office.

Students who receive money from Federal Work-Study programs are paid wages for the hours worked during the pay period. These funds do not go toward paying student tuition and charges. Federal Work-Study funds are paid out through a regular paycheck which comes from the Payroll Department.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

You are responsible for managing your Financial Aid experience, so be sure to check your MyLamarPA account frequently and review any emails you receive from us as they may include requests for additional information or action. Call, email, or make an appointment if you have any questions, we are here to help you!