Find answers to frequently asked questions about federal and state financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, loans, and other types of assistance.
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.
Submitting the FAFSA early may improve eligibility for limited funding opportunities, including state grants and scholarships offered by Louisiana State University Shreveport.
What determines Dependency Status on the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines dependency status using federal guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education. Factors that may affect dependency status include:
- Age
- Marital status
- Enrollment in a graduate or professional program
- Military service or veteran status
- Having dependents who receive more than half of their support from the student
- Foster care, legal guardianship, homelessness, or orphan status
Most students under the age of 24 are considered dependent students and must provide parent information on the FAFSA. Dependency status is not based on whether a parent claims the student as a dependent on a tax return.
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 myLSUS 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 a 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 do I apply for LSUS scholarships?
Guaranteed Academic Scholarships and Transfer Scholarships are automatically considered during the admissions process. No separate application is required for these awards.
LSUS Foundation and Departmental Scholarships must be applied for through the AcademicWorks page on our school website.
- Check your student email and the LSUS Scholarships page regularly for scholarship opportunities throughout the school year.
- For additional inquiries about scholarships call 318.797.5063 or email scholarships@lsus.edu.
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 be used 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.
Do I have to be full-time to receive aid?
Enrollment requirements vary depending on the type of financial aid:
- Work-Study and most scholarships: Full-time enrollment is typically required.
- Grants: Award amounts may be adjusted based on enrollment status
- Federal student loans: Loan amounts may be reduced if you are enrolled less than full-time under the federal loan proration guidelines.
Students can visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn more about loan proration and other changes to aid affected by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
What's the difference between Direct Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Loans?
|
Direct Loan
|
Interest Accrual
|
Eligibility
|
|
Subsidized
|
Interest paid by U.S. Dept. of Education while student is enrolled at least halftime
|
Considered as Need-Based aid
|
|
Unsubsidized
|
Students are responsible for paying interest during all periods
|
Not considered as Need-Based aid
|
Students can learn more about the differences between undergraduate loan types on the Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans page on the Federal Student Aid website.
How do I reduce or decline a 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.
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.
It's past the census date. Why hasn't my loan been 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.
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
