Applying for Financial Aid
How Do I Apply for Federal Financial Aid?
To apply for federal financial aid, first time and continuing students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is found online at fafsa.gov. The application is free; there is no cost to apply. The FAFSA is used to determine a student's federal Pell grant and Stafford loan eligibility.
Students must apply for federal financial aid each academic year. The FAFSA application for each upcoming academic year is accessible beginning October 1 and remains available until June 30 of the following year. The following FAFSA applications are now available online:
- 2021-2022 FAFSA - administers federal financial aid for Fall 21, Spring 22 and Summer 22 semesters
- 2020-2021 FAFSA - administers federal financial aid for the Fall 20, Spring 21 and Summer 21 semester
First time students applying for the Pennsylvania State Grant, known as PHEAA - the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency - must complete the FAFSA application by August 1 of the upcoming academic year; continuing students must complete the FAFSA by May 1st of the upcoming academic year to be considered for PHEAA state grant eligibility.
What Is The Next Steps After I File The FAFSA?
- Check Your US Postal Service Mail
It takes approximately three days for an electronic FAFSA form to process. A Student Aid Report (SAR) is then generated and sent to the student within three weeks of the date the FAFSA form was submitted. Please review the SAR for accuracy. Corrections can be made on the printed SAR and mailed to the address provided on the SAR or by logging into your application on fafsa.gov.
LCCC begins receiving FAFSA applications for the upcoming academic year in March. Student selected for verification will be contacted by mail if additional information is required. Please respond promptly to all requests for additional information.
- Check Email Account Registered With The College
First time students will receive an award letter - notification of federal financial aid eligibility - by email starting in March. Award letters are based on full time status. Federal awards may adjust if a student drops below a full time status. LCCC's school code - 006811 - must be listed on the FAFSA to receive an award letter.
First time and continuing students will also receive an award notification by email once their files are complete and financial aid packages processed. The award notification will direct students to their Self Service Portal to view and accept awards.
- PHEAA will notify student via email and/or traditional mail if additional information is required. Respond promptly to requests. Students are notified of PHEAA State Grant eligibility beginning May 15.
What Is the Financial Aid Self Service Portal?
Students accepted to the college will receive an email from the Admissions Office which provides their user IDs for the college's online information system called Self Service. Once the registration for Self Service is complete, students can log onto the system and access the Financial Aid Self Service Portal. The portal allows students to view and manage their financial aid from submission to completion. The portal outlines documents needed to process their financial aid with links to access the documents, Academic Progress information, and a link to access, accept or adjust their financial aid packages.
What Is Verification?
Verification is the process used to confirm that the information provided on the FAFSA is accurate. Students are selected for verification by the Department Of Education; selection is often random. However, it is the institution's responsibility to collect and process the information and documents needed to verify a student's FAFSA.
If selected for verification, a student will receive a letter from the college's Financial Aid Office outlining the additional documentation being requested. Documentation may include: IRS tax transcripts, W2s, proof of High School completion, state ID card, Identity Statement and/or verification worksheet. Verification worksheets can also be found at Financial Aid Forms tab on the college's website. Follow directions on the letter closely to insure accuracy. Please respond promptly to all requests for additional information. Delays in document submission could affect the awarding of financial aid by an academic start date.
To retrieve IRS tax return transcripts or a Wage and Tax Summary (W2), please visit the IRS website at IRS.gov.