Financial Aid FAQs

How do I have my Federal or private student loans put into deferment?

Federal Loans

Starting the third week of each semester, LSC automatically sends your enrollment information to your loan servicer.  If you are in 6 or more non-repeated classes, your loan servicer will put your loans into in-school deferment.  This is done each month of the semester. There is no need to complete Deferment Request paperwork for Federal Loans.

Private Loans

After completing the student section of your lender’s paperwork, email it to and use “Deferment Request” in the subject line.

Deferment paperwork will not be completed until the semester begins, and it will be returned to you to submit through your lender’s website.

My loans are in default. What can I do to get back into good standing?

Log in to your www.studentaid.gov account to identify your loan holder and review your loan status.

Your loans may be held by the U.S. Department of Education's Default Resolution Group, or a loan servicer.

Contact them directly to discuss your options and determine whether loan rehabilitation or consolidation is the best solution for your situation. 

LSC cannot assist with loan rehabilitation questions nor has access to your loan information.

If you are unsure who holds your loan, your StudentAid.gov account will provide that information.

The best option for loan rehabilitation depends on your individual circumstances, including your income, repayment goals, and whether restoring eligibility for future federal financial aid is a priority.

Once you receive written confirmation that your federal student loans are no longer in default, please forward the documentation to [email protected]. Be sure to include your STAR ID or Student ID in the email. After we receive and review the documentation, we will be able to continue processing your FAFSA.

How do I apply for financial aid, including the Pell Grant, MN State Grant, work-study, loans?

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year, which can be found at studentaid.gov. Undocumented students should complete the Minnesota Alternative State Financial Aid Application (MASFAA) instead of the FAFSA.

How often do I need to complete the FAFSA or MASFAA?

The FAFSA or MASFAA must be completed each year.

Where do I find information about North Star Promise?

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) has a list of FAQ’s: North Star Promise.

How long can I receive financial aid?

You can be considered for financial aid if you have remaining eligibility. Grants from either federal or state, and loans have lifetime limits.  Once a student reaches the lifetime limit, that grant and/or loan will no longer be included in their financial aid package.

What financial aid options are available for students with special circumstances or if my family situation changes after I submit the FAFSA?

If you believe you have extenuating circumstances or changes in your family situation, please contact the financial aid office to discuss options available.

What types of financial aid am I eligible for, and how is my eligibility determined?

Your eligibility is determined by using information from your FAFSA.  Federal and state regulations, your enrollment status, your program of study, academic progress, and cost of attendance.

When you submit an aid application, you will be considered for:

• Pell Grant
• Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Minnesota State Grant
• North Star Promise Scholarship
• Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• Federal/State Work-Study

Why was I eligible for financial aid in the past but not this year?

Financial aid eligibility can change from year to year based on updates to your FAFSA information, changes in your or your family’s income, household circumstances, enrollment status, academic progress, and legislative changes. Eligibility may also be affected if you change programs, reach annual or lifetime aid limits, do not complete required financial aid steps, or no longer meet specific program requirements.

How do I accept, track, and manage my financial aid award, and what steps must I complete before funds are disbursed?

Students can view their financial aid status, review award information, accept or decline eligible aid, and monitor any pending requirements through their e-Services. After submitting a FAFSA or Minnesota Alternative State Financial Aid Application, the application will take 3-5 days to reach our campus.  Please allow 2 weeks for us to process your FAFSA.

Requests for additional documentation, verification requirements, or other steps needed to complete their financial aid file will be sent to the students’ e-Services, in addition to a notice being sent to the students’ email address. Before financial aid can be disbursed, students must complete all required steps, including submitting requested documents, maintaining eligibility requirements, enrolling in eligible coursework that applies toward their program, and completing required loan steps if accepting federal loans.

Where can I check my financial aid status?

Online, go to e-Services and select "Financial Aid."

When will my financial aid be applied to my student account, and when will I receive any remaining funds or refunds?

Financial aid is first applied to student accounts after the add/drop period, which is the first week of each semester. If you have a refund, it will be sent to Bank Mobile on the second Friday of the semester.  Then, we will process financial aid on Monday and Thursday starting the third week of the semester.

What happens if I add, drop, withdraw from, or register late for classes?

Financial aid is provided in full at the beginning of the semester for all your classes. If you change your enrollment after the first week of classes (add/drop week) you may be required to pay back a portion of your financial aid. 

What if I need to take classes at another school for my program at LSC?

A consortium agreement allows Lake Superior College students to use financial aid for eligible coursework taken at another institution while remaining enrolled at LSC. The course must apply toward the students’ LSC program requirements, and consortium agreement paperwork must be completed and proved prior to financial aid paying out. Once approved, credits from the other institutions may count toward enrollment status and aid eligibility, while financial aid continues to be administered through LSC. Your financial aid package will be updated to include the credits you are enrolled in at your other institution. You must take any leftover funding you receive in a financial aid disbursement and manually apply it to your balance at your other institution, as LSC will not send funding to your other institution.

How do I pay for books, housing, meals, childcare, and other educational expenses not fully covered by financial aid?

Financial aid may not cover all of your educational expenses. If you have a remaining balance or additional school related costs, you may want to consider the following options for helping cover those remaining expenses:

• Payment plans directly through the Student Payment Office.
• Federal Direct Loans, if eligible and not already accepted.
• Private educational loans through a lender of your choice.
• Scholarships through Lake Superior College and outside organizations.
• Employment, including Federal Work-Study (if eligible) or other part-time work.

If you are experiencing financial hardship or need assistance exploring your options, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

What expenses does financial aid cover, and what costs am I responsible for paying?

Financial aid isn’t guaranteed to cover all your tuition, fees, books, and supplies expenses.  To view your tuition bill, log into your e-services and select “Bills and Payments.”