The following types of financial aid can be combined into a comprehensive financial aid package to assist with all educational expenses, up to a students cost of attendance. 

Grants

Financial aid that does not require repayment, provided specific conditions are met.

Federal Pell Grant

U.S. Department of Education Title IV program

The Federal Pell Grant is a form of financial aid that does not require repayment, provided specific conditions are met, and is awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is determined based on the number of semester credit hours in which a student is enrolled, the Student Aid Index (SAI), the cost of attendance and whether the student attends school for the full academic year. 

Pell Grant funds may only be received from one institution at a time. 

Laredo College issues award notifications detailing student eligibility for Federal Pell Grant funds, typically based on a 12-credit hour enrollment per semester and adjusts Pell Grant awards if a student's credit hours change through the census date of each semester and up to the Pell Recalculation Date (PRD).

For detailed information visit: Pell Grant Eligibility and Recalculation.  

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

U.S. Department of Education Title IV program

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a grant awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The Federal Pell Grant and the FSEOG differ in terms of availability. While the Federal Pell Grant is available to all eligible students, the FSEOG is limited by the funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid. Laredo College receives a limited amount of FSEOG funds each year. Once the allocated FSEOG funds for the year are exhausted, no additional awards can be made.

Priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grant and have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of zero. In compliance with federal regulations, Laredo College awards FSEOG funds to students with the lowest SAI, prioritizing those who have received Federal Pell Grant eligibility within the same award year.

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board program

The Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) was established by the Texas Legislature to provide financial assistance to students with financial need who attend Texas public community colleges, public technical colleges, or public state colleges. This grant helps cover the cost of tuition and fees.

Eligibility for Initial Award

To be eligible for an initial TEOG award, a student must meet the following requirements:

• Be a Texas resident
• Demonstrate financial need
• Have applied for all available financial aid assistance through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)
• Hold a diploma from a Texas high school or a GED certificate
• Have no felony or controlled substance convictions
• Be enrolled at least half-time (6 semester credit hours) in the first 30 credit hours of an associate's degree or certificate program at a public two-year institution of higher education
• Not be concurrently receiving a TEXAS Grant
• Not have earned an associate's or bachelor's degree
• Comply with Selective Service registration requirements and provide a Statement of Registration Status from the institution, confirming registration or exemption

Eligibility for Renewal Award

To qualify for a renewal TEOG award, a student must meet the following conditions:

• Satisfy all requirements for an initial award
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the institution's policy
• At the end of the initial year, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and meet the institution's SAP requirements
• In subsequent years, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and successfully complete 75% of the credit hours attempted in the prior academic year
• Continue to comply with Selective Service registration requirements and provide a Statement of Registration Status from the institution, confirming registration or exemption

TEOG Eligibility Limitations

Eligibility for the TEOG ends when any of the following conditions are met:

• The student earns an associate's degree
• The student attempts 75 credit hours under the TEOG
• Four years have passed since the initial TEOG award was received

Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board program

The Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG) was established by the Texas Legislature to provide financial assistance to students with financial need who attend Texas public community colleges, public technical colleges, or public state colleges. TPEG provides financial aid to cover educational expenses while attending Laredo College. 

Eligibility and Awarding Guidelines

• Grants are awarded to students who have been admitted to Laredo College as degree-seeking regular students and are enrolled in the term(s) for which the grant is provided.
• Be enrolled at least half-time (6 semester credit hours) for Fall/Spring semesters and 3 semester credit hours for Summer sessions.
• Awards are based on the financial need of the applicant, as determined by the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).
• Financial need is determined using federal methodology.
• Priority for TPEG awards is given to students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 1600 or higher
• Must meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
• Have no felony or controlled substance convictions
• Comply with Selective Service registration requirements and provide a Statement of Registration Status from the institution, confirming registration or exemption

Scholarships

Financial aid awarded based on merit and/or financial need, which does not require repayment. 

Laredo College's Palomino Scholar Dollar portal, is home to all scholarship opportunities (internal and external) available to enrolled students. Students must complete a short questionnaire that will match the student to scholarship eligibility and ease the application process. 

To learn more about Palomino Scholar Dollars, login to PasPort to access all scholarship opportunities. 

Student Employment

Financial aid earned through part-time employment, available on-campus and off-campus.

Federal Work-Study Program

U.S. Department of Education Title IV program

The Federal Work-Study Program, as outlined by U.S. Department of Education regulations, is designed to provide part-time employment opportunities for students who demonstrate financial need, helping to defray the cost of higher education. This program allows students to earn their financial aid through employment, with the primary focus on ensuring that work does not interfere with academic responsibilities. Studies are given priority.

The Federal Work-Study Program offers on-campus and off-campus jobs for undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn funds to cover educational expenses. The program encourages employment in community service and work related to the student’s course of study. The employment period under the Federal Work-Study Program for each Award Year is from September 1 through June 30.

Prospective work-study students must complete a hiring process and secure a position in order to earn the eligible funds. The total amount of funds earned may vary, and students may not earn more than the full amount they are eligible to receive. Employment will conclude once allocated funds in the students award package are exhausted.

Texas Work Study and Texas Work Study Mentorship Programs

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board program

The Texas Work-Study Program, as outlined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is designed to provide part-time employment opportunities for students who demonstrate financial need, helping to defray the cost of higher education. This program allows students to earn their financial aid through employment, with the primary focus on ensuring that work does not interfere with academic responsibilities. Studies are given priority. 

The Texas Work-Study Program offers both on-campus and off-campus jobs for undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn funds to cover educational expenses. The program encourages employment in community service and work related to the student’s course of study. The employment period under the Texas Work-Study Program for each Award Year is from September 1 through August (date to be determined by state budget approvals).

Prospective work-study students must complete a hiring process and secure a position in order to earn the eligible funds. The total amount of funds earned may vary, and students may not earn more than the full amount they are eligible to receive. Employment will conclude once allocated funds in the students award package are exhausted.

Student Employee Program

Laredo College offers a Student Employee Program for students who do not qualify for Federal or State Work-Study but wish to gain valuable work experience while supporting campus operations. This institutional employment program provides part-time positions across various departments, allowing students to develop workplace skills, strengthen their résumés, and contribute to the college community.

Student Employee Program positions are funded through institutional resources and are not based on financial need. Students earn an hourly wage and are expected to balance work responsibilities with academic commitments.

Exemptions & Waivers

Financial assistance that reduces or eliminates tuition and fees for eligible students.

State Exemptions and Waivers

Exemptions and waivers refer to the reduction or full payment of a student's tuition and fees. Effective Fall 2014, Senate Bill 1210 (83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session) introduced a Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement for the continuation of most, though not all, state exemptions and waivers. The bill also establishes a cumulative limit on the total number of credit hours a student may take while continuing to receive certain exemptions and waivers. This regulation is governed by the Texas Education Code (TEC) Section 54.014.

In compliance with Senate Bill 1210, Laredo College has implemented a minimum 2.0 GPA requirement for exemptions and waivers affected by this legislation. Visit the Bursar’s Office website for additional State Exemptions & Waivers or the My Texas Future website at www.mytexasfuture.org.

Veterans Educational Benefits

Financial aid available to veterans and/or their dependents, provided by the U.S. Armed Forces. Additional information can be obtained from the Office of Veteran Services.

Third-Party Assistance

Financial aid provided by external agencies or sponsors (such as employment companies) to support educational expenses.

Loans

Federal, State and Private Student Loans

A loan is a form of financial aid that must be repaid with interest. When a loan is accepted, funds are borrowed to cover educational expenses at a college or career school. Repayment of both the principal amount and any accrued interest is required. It is essential to understand the available repayment options to ensure successful loan repayment.

As of Fall 2012, Laredo College, under the direction of the Board of Trustees and Administration, ceased participation in federal, state, and private student loan programs.

Students who borrowed a federal educational loan before Fall 2012 are required to complete exit counseling upon graduation to remain compliant with Title IV regulations and are encouraged to visit https://studentaid.gov/ for re-payment options. 

Emergency Tuition Loan

Laredo College offers short-term, institutional Emergency Tuition Loans to assist enrolled students who are unable to pay their tuition and mandatory fees by the published deadlines. These loans are intended for students who have financial aid processing underway, have exceeded their lifetime federal aid eligibility, or do not have the funds to pay for classes upfront.

Emergency Tuition Loans are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is limited each semester. As payment deadlines approach, funds may be depleted. Students receiving an Emergency Tuition Loan must agree to all repayment terms and satisfy the balance in full by the specified due date to remain in good standing with the College.

Institutional 

The Palomino Pledge: A Commitment to Student Success

Laredo College's Palomino Pledge, a program designed to support students by covering the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for those working toward a degree or certificate who meet all specified requirements and deadlines. The Palomino Pledge ensures that any remaining tuition and fees not covered by financial aid are addressed, allowing students to focus on their studies without the worry of financial constraints. This program is structured to prevent the accumulation of student loan debt, promoting a debt-free educational experience. Detailed information about this program is available at Laredo College Palomino Pledge. 

Additional Information:

Refund for Sponsored or Donor-Funded Payments

If tuition and fees are paid by a third-party sponsor, donor, or scholarship, and no enrollment has been verified, the funds will be returned to the original source rather than directly to the student.

For all Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board programs the following conditions must be met:

Convictions of Felonies or Offenses Under the Texas Controlled Substances Act

Students convicted of a felony or any offense under Chapter 481 of the Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act) are not eligible for the TEOG or TPEG. This restriction applies to convictions of any felony or controlled substance offense, as outlined in the Texas Education Code, Sections 56.304 and 56.305 for the TEXAS Grant, and Sections 56.404 and 56.405 for the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG).

Selective Service Statement (TAC, Title 19, Section 22.3)

Under TEC, Title 3, Section 51.9095, all individuals applying for state-funded financial aid must submit a statement confirming Selective Service registration or exemption. This requirement also applies to federal funds or private grants that pass through the state Treasury or the governor’s office, including programs funded by tuition set-asides, exemptions, and waivers.

Acceptable forms to meet the statutory requirement include:

• THECB Selective Service Statement of Registration Status (available in English and Spanish)
• Printout from the SSS.gov website
• Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR), if status is available (Note: Beginning in FY 2023-24, registration status is no longer reported on the ISIR, but prior ISIR records may be used if they confirm registration.)

Institutions are not required to verify the accuracy of a student's statement or provide proof of registration unless conflicting information is found. Further guidance on statutory requirements affecting financial aid is available in the Updated Guidance on Statutory Requirements that Impact Financial Aid Memo.