Step 1 - Apply

• Apply for admission to LSU.

• Review helpful TIPS for applying for aid.

• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the applicable term each year.

Step 2 - Verification

Now that you have completed the FAFSA and have been admitted to LSU, the next step is to ensure that your financial aid application is complete.

All students requesting federal financial aid which includes grants, loans, and work-study are required to provide additional information/documentation to our office.   

Respond to any requests for additional information quickly!

Responding to the FAFSA:

The FAFSA that you submitted is processed by the Central Processing System (CPS) and generates a printed Student Aid Report (SAR). The following are some helpful hints to ensure that you have a valid SAR.

• Review your SAR for accuracy.

• If corrections are required revisit fafsa.gov and select "make corrections to a processed FAFSA."

• If you do not receive an email directing you to a website where you may view your SAR within four weeks, contact the CPS at 1-800-433-3243 to check on the status of your application.

Responding to LSU:

Based on your responses to the questions on the FAFSA, we may need additional information to validate your financial aid application. If additional information is requested, you will receive an e-mail from our office indicating the item(s) needed to complete your file. Additional information request can be found on MyLSU by clicking on financial services, financial aid, and verification documents.  

Step 3 – Award

Once your financial aid application file is complete, you will receive an award notification via your MyLSU account.  

• Review your award letter carefully.

• If your award includes loans, you will need to complete and submit the applicable promissory note(s) and entrance counseling.

Step 4 – Disbursement(s)

If you submitted all applicable documents, your funds are ready for disbursement to your student account.

If your semester funds are in excess of your semester charges, you may receive the excess in the form of a refund check. Depending on preference a check will be mailed or you may create a student direct deposit bank account via your MyLSU account.  

Some common things that prevent your aid from being disbursed to your student account:

• Master promissory notes have not been completed and submitted for Stafford and/or PLUS loans.

• Student has not yet registered for minimum required hours (enrollment must be at least half time).
  ***Special Note--Half time status for financial aid is not necessarily half time status for the University.

• Entrance Counseling has not been completed and submitted for Stafford loans.