How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for federal and state financial aid programs (including grants, work-study, student loans, and TOPS scholarships) students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
How to Apply
- Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID on the Federal Student Aid website.
- Complete the FAFSA and enter the Louisiana State University Shreveport school code: 002013.
- Review, sign, and submit the FAFSA application. After submission, LSUS will receive your information electronically for processing.
To help ensure consideration for the greatest amount of available aid, students should submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1.
When should I apply?
Students must complete a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each academic year, which runs from August through July. A FAFSA submitted for a previous academic year will not apply to future academic years.
Are scholarships available for graduate students?
Yes. Graduate students can apply for donor-funded and departmental scholarships through our AcademicWorks webpage. Please visit to see what scholarships are offered to graduate students. Scholarship opportunities are also sent to your LSUS student email throughout the year.
I am an accelerated 100% online student admitted today. When will I be awarded financial aid?
Financial aid awards cannot be processed until you are fully admitted to your program. All academic transcripts must be received and evaluated before awarding can begin. After you receive confirmation of admission and submit all required financial aid documents, please allow approximately two weeks for processing and awarding.
What is FAFSA verification?
FAFSA verification is a process used to confirm the accuracy of information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Because FAFSA information is primarily self-reported, some students may be required to submit additional documentation for review.
If verification is required, the Louisiana State University Shreveport Financial Aid Office will notify the student of any required documents. Students may also review outstanding requirements through the myLSUS portal under Financial Aid Application Status.
Verification processing times may vary depending on when all required documents are received. Financial aid eligibility cannot be determined until the verification process has been completed. Submitting the FAFSA early may help reduce delays in processing and awarding financial aid.
How do I check my financial aid status?
Students can check their financial aid status by logging into myLSUS and selecting Financial Aid Application Status. From there, choose the appropriate aid year to view any outstanding requirements.
Be sure to review your status for missing documents or alerts that may indicate required action. If selected for verification, submit all requested documentation as soon as possible. Processing may take up to two weeks after all required documents are received.
Students should keep copies of all documents submitted for their records.
How do I view my financial aid awards?
Students can view their financial aid awards by logging into myLSUS and selecting Financial Aid, then Financial Aid Awards. Choose the appropriate aid year to review available grants, loans, and scholarships.
A paper award notification will also be mailed to the address listed on your student account. Financial aid funds will appear in the credited (posted) section of your student account after the official census date for the semester or session in which you are enrolled.
How do I use my aid to pay for tuition and fees?
To use your financial aid toward tuition and fees, you must first accept your aid in myLSUS.
Steps to Accept Aid
- Log in to myLSUS and select Financial Aid Acceptance.
- Select the appropriate semester and change your acceptance status from No to Yes.
- Click Save Changes.
- Review your student account balance by going to Registration, then Tuition and Fees.
If your balance shows $0, no additional action is needed. If a balance remains, it will be displayed with a due date.
If a balance remains by the due date, students must either pay the balance in full or enroll in a payment plan through myLSUS to avoid having classes dropped.
Students must accept financial aid prior to published tuition deadlines each semester.
How much financial aid is available for accelerated online graduate students?
Graduate students enrolled at least half-time (3 credit hours per session) may be eligible for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan with an annual borrowing limit of up to $20,500. Your loan award may be reduced or prorated based on your enrollment status, and your eligibility may be lower if your cost of attendance is less than the annual loan limit. For accelerated programs, loan eligibility is typically divided evenly across the six academic sessions in the school year.
How many hours do I need to receive a student loan?
You must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for a student loan.
On-campus traditional graduate students
- Full-time enrollment: 9 or more credit hours
- Half-time enrollment: 6-8 credit hours
Accelerated 100% online graduate students
- Half-time enrollment: 3 credit hours per session
Optional 500-level foundation courses do not count toward enrollment status for financial aid purposes. Your enrollment status becomes official after the last day of dropping classes, also known as the census date, for each session.
Are other loans available for graduate students?
Yes. Starting fall 2026, students may apply for alternative or private student loans to help cover educational expenses up to the LSUS cost of attendance. Loan approval is determined by the lender, and the amount you may borrow is limited to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received. Students interested in borrowing may visit the ScholarNet website to begin the private loan application process.
How do I reduce or decline my student loan?
To reduce or decline your loan, complete the Aid Adjustment Form and submit it via email, fax or in person to our office. The Aid Adjustment Form is available for download on the Financial Aid Forms page.
LSUS students may also email, fax, or bring their award letter to the LSUS Financial Aid Office for any award changes.
Please allow 7-14 business days for processing.
Can I purchase books using my financial aid?
Yes. If your financial aid exceeds the cost of tuition and fees, the remaining funds may be used to purchase textbooks and course materials.
Eligible students may use financial aid at the LSUS Bookstore approximately two weeks before the start of each semester. When making a purchase, select financial aid as the payment method.
Can financial aid pay for Dining Dollars, or Pilots Pointe Apartments?
Yes. Financial aid and scholarships may be used for eligible university charges, including bookstore purchases, Pilot Dining Dollars, and housing at Pilots Pointe Apartments.
Financial aid is applied to student charges in the following order:
- Tuition and fees
- Bookstore charges
- Dining Dollars
- Housing charges
If financial aid does not fully cover housing costs, any remaining balance can be paid through a monthly payment plan in myLSUS.
Students should regularly review their myLSUS account to monitor current balances and ensure charges are paid on time.
When will I receive a refund?
Credit balance refunds are issued within 5-7 business days after the last day to drop a class or the census date.
Your refund amount is calculated as:
Net Amount Award Amount − Tuition − Fees − Books − Other Charges etc.
Students are encouraged to set up direct deposit through myLSUS to receive refunds more quickly.
For questions about direct deposit, contact Accounting Services at 318-797-5275 or accounting_services@lsus.edu.
Why did my AP1/1C disbursement pay for both AP1/1C and AP2/1D tuition?
Financial aid is applied to all outstanding charges on your student account at the time funds are disbursed. If you would like your financial aid to pay only toward your current session, you must enroll in one session at a time. Please note that course availability cannot be guaranteed for students who choose to enroll in one session at a time.
It's past the census date. Why hasn't my loan disbursed?
Your loan may not have been disbursed if you still need to complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling requirements on the Federal Student Aid website.
LSUS typically receives confirmation of completed requirements within 5-7 business days.
How do I set up a payment plan if I don't have aid?
Payment plans are available through myLSUS under the Payment Plans section.
For questions about payment plans, contact Accounting Services at 318-797-5275 or accounting_services@lsus.edu,
I have a payment plan and was later awarded financial aid. Do I still have to make payments?
Yes. Please be prepared for scheduled payment plan drafts to continue while your financial aid is being processed.
Payment plans are reconciled after financial aid has been applied to your student account, which occurs after the census date. Adjustments are typically completed within 10-14 business days.
Will failing a class affect my aid?
Not necessarily. However, continued eligibility for financial aid depends on meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, including minimum GPA, course completion rate, and maximum timeframe standards.
All federal financial aid recipients are evaluated for SAP at the end of the spring semester. For more information, review the SAP Policy.
Will dropping or withdrawing from courses affect my financial aid?
Possibly. The impact on your financial aid depends on the number of courses dropped, the type of aid received, and your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status. Students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office before dropping any courses.
If you withdraw from all courses before completing 60% of the term, you may be required to repay a portion of your financial aid. For more information, review the Financial Aid Title IV Return Policy.
What happens to my financial aid award if I do not attend a session?
Financial aid is only disbursed for sessions in which you are enrolled and actively attending. If you do not attend a session, the financial aid disbursement for that session will be canceled, and your future financial aid eligibility may be affected. After re-enrolling, review your financial aid status in myLSUS to confirm your eligibility and award information.
Where can I access my 1098-T form?
You can access your 1098-T tax form in myLSUS under My Financials.
If you have questions, contact Accounting Services at 318-797-5275 or accounting_services@lsus.edu,
Need more help?
Contact LSUS Financial Aid Office: Phone: 318.797.5363, Email: finaid@lsus.edu
