Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

When to Apply:

Students must apply for financial aid for each academic year of enrollment.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the following academic year is made available in December of the current academic year.

An academic year is defined starting in the Fall semester and continuing through the Spring and summer semesters. In addition, FAFSA applicants must provide income information from the “prior-prior tax year” model. See examples below:

  • For the 2023–2024 academic year, the FAFSA may be submitted between Oct. 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023 (using the 2021 tax information).
  • For the 2024–2025 academic year, the FAFSA may be submitted between Oct. 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024 (using the 2022 tax information).

By utilizing the “prior-prior tax year'" model, an increased number of students and families should be able to complete the FAFSA using income information imported electronically from the IRS - data retrieval tool. 

How to Apply for Financial Aid

The first step is to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Apply at Federal Student Aid - FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid Include the FAFSA code 003582 for Laredo College in your application.

Steps to Fill Out FAFSA

  1. Create an FSA ID and password for you, the student (and your contributor, if a dependent student).  https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
  2. Complete the FAFSA by logging on to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa (Must apply every academic year, starting October 1) and completing all requirements.
  3. Be registered for three eligible hours or more for most types of aid in the summer, or six eligible hours or more for most types of aid (except PELL) in the Fall/Spring.
  4. Meet all requirements before the priority deadline.
    • Fall March 1
    • Spring November 1
    • Summer May 1

Since some types of funds are limited, we recommend you submit your FAFSA before the priority dates. Students who submit their application after the priority dates are still eligible for financial aid but may need to pay their tuition before the payment due date.

The institutional policy for packaging grants, and employment assistance for students is as follows:

  • Packaging for eligible flexible entry classes will be done at the end of the semester and funds for those classes will be disbursed accordingly.
  • Students are awarded a combination of funds from all programs for which they qualify. Students are required to apply using the FAFSA to be processed for all aid programs. The financial aid package will attempt to meet 70% of the student’s need with grant assistance and 30% with self-help (Work-Study).
  • Students not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant but who demonstrate financial need, as defined by the federal government, may be eligible for campus-based programs (Federal Work-Study).
  • Students enrolled for the summer sessions may receive, if eligible, SEOG, PELL, and Federal Work-Study.

When you complete and submit the FAFSA, you gain access to the largest source of college aid available. Your FAFSA information is utilized by your college to determine your eligibility for federal help. Several states, college and universities use FAFSA data to offer their own assistance. 

Federal student aid programs have limited funds, so be sure to apply as soon as you can.