Scholarships
Laredo College offers a limited number of scholarships that have been generously donated in honor of individuals or organizations. Each of these scholarships has specific and unique criteria. While some are available to one or more students each academic year, others are renewable and only become available after the current recipient has graduated or becomes ineligible for the scholarship. Scholarships are designed to reward, encourage, and assist students in pursuing academic excellence, athletics, financial need, campus/community activities, and leadership roles. Because competition for scholarships is intense, merit scholarships are usually available only to the most outstanding new freshmen and continuing students as determined by the LC Scholarship Committee.
Unless otherwise noted, students must complete the General Scholarship Application and submit the application to the Student Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs Services Center anytime throughout the year. Please visit the Student Financial Aid website www.laredo.edu/cms/fa. If you do not have Internet access, contact either center for alternative application instructions. This application only applies to scholarships awarded by the Student Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs Services Center . The scholarship application remains open through out the year. Some students are automatically considered from the college’s transcript records. Most scholarships are awarded in the late spring or early summer for the upcoming academic year.
How do I find scholarships?
Students can learn about scholarships in several ways, including contacting the Student Financial Aid at the school students plan to attend and checking information in a public library or online. Be careful and make sure scholarship information and offers students receive are legitimate; and remember that students do not have to pay to find scholarships or other financial aid. Check out our information on how to avoid scams. For an updated listing of scholarships available please contact either of the Student Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs Services Center located at the Ft. McIntosh or the South Campus.
Try these free sources of information about scholarships:
- The financial aid office at a college or career school
- high school or TRIO counselor
- The U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool
- Federal agencies
- Your state grant agency
- Your library’s reference section
- Foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups
- Organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
- Ethnicity-based organizations
- Your employer or your parents’ employers
Over Awards
Federal and state regulations mandate that a student’s total financial aid package (grants and other resources) cannot exceed the student’s financial need. Financial need is defined as Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution (EFC calculated with FAFSA). Once a student has been selected as a scholarship recipient, the Student Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs Services Center must ensure that the student is not over awarded. Over awards occur when the student’s financial aid package exceeds his or her financial need.
Over Award Example:
Example: A dependent student, Marissa who is living at home with parents and is enrolled for fall and spring full time. Marissa’s total Cost of Attendance is $15,536 and has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $1,120. Marissa’s financial need ($15,536-$1,120) is $14,416. Marissa's Pell Grant Award is $4,626, Texas Grant of $1,325, and a scholarships totaling $9,000 +Pell $4,626+ Texas $1,325 =$14,951. The total awards caused an over award. In such cases, the student must decline one of the awards.
For more information about Scholarships please visit our website: www.laredo.edu/cms/fa.