Basic Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for financial aid at Laredo College, a completed application for financial aid must be submitted by the student seeking assistance.  

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 

Basic Eligibility Requirements:

1. Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

2. Have a valid Social Security Number.

3. Have a high school diploma or GED.

4. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at Laredo College.

5. Be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program and taking eligible courses.

6. Adhere to Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable.

7. Not be in default on any federal student loans or owe a repayment on a federal grant.

8. Demonstrate financial need according to FAFSA criteria.

9. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by LC financial aid standards.

10. Ability to Benefit (ATB): In December 2014, the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), was changed to allow a student who does not have a high school diploma or the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma or who did not complete a secondary school education in a homeschool setting, to be eligible for Title IV aid, such as Pell Grants, if they are dually enrolled in an eligible career pathway program (ECPP) and a high school equivalency or college-level course. 

How ATB Works:
Dual Enrollment: Students are simultaneously enrolled in a high school equivalency course and a postsecondary career pathway program. 
 
Eligibility Demonstration: Students must show they have the "ability to benefit" from postsecondary education through one of these methods: 
 

Passing an Approved Test: Taking and passing an independently administered test approved by the U.S. Department of Education. (ATB test)

Completing College Credits: Successfully completing a minimum of six college credits or 225 clock hours that are applicable toward a degree or certificate offered by the postsecondary institution.
 

State Process: Completing a state-defined process that has been approved by the Secretary of Education. (Note: As of now, no state process has been submitted for the Secretary’s approval.)

Financial Aid: Once eligible, students can receive federal student aid to pursue their education and simultaneously work on their high school equivalency. 
 

Information from the Dear Colleague Letter (DCL): the term ECPP only refers to programs that are approved by the Department to be used to establish student eligibility for Title IV funds through the ATB alternatives listed above. The term Career Pathway Program (CPP) refers to programs that have been developed for purposes of establishing student eligibility under the ATB alternatives but have not yet been approved by the Department.

(GEN-24-08) Ability to Benefit State Process and Eligible Career Pathway Programs website: For more information about the Ability to Benefit provisions and eligible career pathway programs, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Limitations on Financial Aid Eligibility:

Certain factors may affect eligibility for financial aid:

  • Students who have received a full-time Pell Grant for more than six years are no longer eligible for this award.
  • Co-enrolled students or those enrolled as transient students, financial aid must be obtained from the home college or university. A consortium agreement must be requested from the home institution to apply financial aid to courses taken at Laredo College.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education has established regulations to prevent fraud and abuse within the Federal Student Aid program. These regulations may identify students with unusual enrollment histories. If selected for unusual enrollment, submission of additional documentation and completion of specific requirements will be necessary to be considered for financial aid.