The Questions Everyone Asks

Financial Aid FAQs

Have questions about financial aid? Our frequently asked questions cover FAFSA, eligibility, scholarships, grants, student loans and other topics to help you navigate the financial aid process with confidence.

Applying for financial aid doesn’t have to be difficult! Learn the ground rules by browsing these frequently asked questions.

Do I need parental information on the FAFSA?

My parents aren’t helping me pay for college. Do I need parental information on the FAFSA?

Even if your parents don’t contribute money toward your education, you are considered a dependent of your parents and need their information unless you can answer yes to any of these following questions.

All applicants for federal student aid are considered either “independent” or “dependent.”

Independent Student

If you answer YES to ANY of these questions, then you may be an independent student. You may not be required to provide parental information on your Free Application or Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Dependent Student*

If you answer NO to ALL of these questions, then you may be considered a dependent student and may be required to provide your parents’ financial information when completing the FAFSA form.

  1. Will you be 24 or older by Jan. 1 of the school year for which you are applying for financial aid? For example, if you plan to start school in August 2023 for the 2023–24 school year, will you be 24 by Jan. 1, 2023 (i.e., were you born before Jan. 1, 2000)?
  2. Are you married or separated but not divorced?
  3. Will you be working toward a master’s or doctorate degree (such as M.A., MBA, M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.)?
  4. Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
  5. Do you have dependents (other than children or a spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you?
  6. Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training?
  7. Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?
  8. At any time since you turned age 13, were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a ward or dependent of the court?
  9. Are you an emancipated minor or are you in a legal guardianship as determined by a court?
  10. Are you an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

*If you don’t answer “yes” to any of the questions above, you’re still considered a dependent student for purposes of applying for federal student aid
even if you don’t live with your parents, are not claimed by your parents on their tax forms, or are paying for your own bills and educational expenses.

For more information, visit: StudentAid.gov/dependency.

Is there any additional funding available to help with the costs?

I received my Financial Aid Offer and did not get enough money to pay my tuition and fee bill. Is there any additional funding available to help with the costs?

Yes, there are additional loans that can provide additional assistance for students.

  • The Federal Direct PLUS program is available for parents of dependent students to borrow money. These loans are in the parent’s name and payments typically start while the student is in school. Interest accrues while the student is in school, and rates are set by the government at 9.08% as of July 1, 2024.
  • There are also non-federal private education loans for the student to borrow. The student will typically need a co-signer. Interest accrues while the student is in school at a rate set by the lender (usually prime + 0-6%). Payments are usually deferred until six months after the student graduates or drops below half time. For more information on non-federal private education loans, contact the Financial Aid Office.

What is Lake Area Tech’s Federal School Code for the FAFSA?

Lake Area Technical College Federal School Code for the FAFSA is 005309

How do I know which parent(s) information to use on my FAFSA?

Sometimes the hardest part about completing the FAFSA is figuring out which parent(s) information to use, especially if your parents have divorced and possibly remarried.

Your biological and/or adoptive parents are considered your legal parents. Grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, older brothers or sisters, and aunts and uncles are not considered parents unless they have legally adopted you.

For additional clarification, please contact the Financial Aid Office and we can help you determine the correct information to use.

What is the difference between a Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan?

If you are eligible for and borrow a subsidized loan, the federal government will pay the interest for you while you are in school and during your grace period. Subsidized loans are based on financial need.

If you are eligible for and borrow a unsubsidized loan, you are responsible for the interest that accrues. You will have the option of either paying the interest as it accrues or capitalizing the interest (adding it to the principal balance). If you choose to pay the interest as it accumulates, you will pay less in interest overall. Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need.

You will begin repayment six months after you cease half-time enrollment, graduate, or withdraw from school.

Do I need to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) every year?

Yes. You need to fill out either a FAFSA or a Renewal FAFSA for the academic year for which you would like to receive federal financial aid. After the first year you fill out the FAFSA, you should receive a Renewal Reminder E-Mail Notification from Federal Student Aid. Complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA online at www.studentaid.gov and use your FSAID (student and parent) available at fsaid.ed.gov.

What is Lake Area Tech’s FAFSA priority date?

Our priority date for completing the FAFSA is April 1.

The Lake Area Tech Foundation Scholarship application has a March 31 deadline date.

What does “selected for verification“ mean?

Verification is not an audit! If you are selected, it doesn’t necessarily mean you did something wrong. The Federal Processor selects about 17% of applicants for verification, which requires the school to obtain documentation to verify the accuracy of the FAFSA information.

HINT – If you and your parents are eligible to use the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) feature of the FAFSA, use it! This will automatically populate tax information directly from the IRS into your FAFSA.