Securing financial aid for college is a significant achievement, and outside scholarships can be an essential part of reducing your educational costs. Louisiana State University (LSU) allows students to use outside scholarships to cover tuition and fees, but getting these scholarships to reflect in your student account requires following specific procedures.
This guide will walk you through the process of how to get outside scholarships to show up at LSU, including application steps, necessary documentation, and tips for ensuring your scholarship funds are applied correctly and on time.
What Are Outside Scholarships?
Outside scholarships are funds awarded by organizations, foundations, or companies that are not directly affiliated with LSU. These scholarships can come from a variety of sources, including:
- Community foundations
- Corporations or businesses
- Non-profit organizations
- Religious groups
- Civic organizations
- Private donors
These scholarships are often merit-based, need-based, or awarded for specific skills, extracurricular activities, or community involvement.
Why It’s Important to Report Outside Scholarships to LSU
When you receive an outside scholarship, it’s essential to report it to LSU. The financial aid office must account for all funds you receive, as your financial aid package might need to be adjusted to accommodate these scholarships. Failing to report outside scholarships could lead to complications such as reduced financial aid or delayed disbursement of funds.
Additionally, ensuring that these scholarships show up correctly in your student account helps in reducing the amount of loans or out-of-pocket expenses you need to cover.
How to Get Outside Scholarships to Show Up at LSU
1. Understand LSU’s Policy on Outside Scholarships
Before you start the process, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with LSU’s policy regarding outside scholarships. LSU encourages students to report all outside scholarships to avoid any disruptions in financial aid distribution. Outside scholarships are generally applied to your financial aid package, but they may affect other forms of aid like grants, loans, or work-study awards.
For more detailed information on LSU’s policies, you can visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships section of LSU’s official website.
2. Notify LSU of Your Outside Scholarship
The first step in getting your outside scholarship to show up at LSU is to notify the Office of Financial Aid about the award. Here’s how you can do that:
a) Submit the Outside Scholarship Notification Form
LSU requires students to submit an Outside Scholarship Notification Form to alert the financial aid office of the external funds they have been awarded. This form ensures that your scholarship information is on file, and the university knows to expect the funds from the donor organization.
- How to Submit the Form:
- Download the Outside Scholarship Notification Form from the LSU financial aid website.
- Complete all sections of the form, providing details about the scholarship amount, the donor organization, and the semester(s) it covers.
- Submit the form either online through your student portal or directly to the financial aid office.
b) Include Necessary Documentation
In addition to the form, you may be required to submit a copy of your award letter or any correspondence from the scholarship provider. This document serves as proof of your scholarship and helps the financial aid office verify the amount and disbursement schedule.
3. Inform the Scholarship Provider of LSU’s Contact Information
To ensure that your scholarship funds are sent to LSU on time, you must provide the donor organization with the correct information. Most scholarship providers will send the funds directly to the university, so it’s essential to give them LSU’s payment address and financial aid office contact details.
- LSU Financial Aid Mailing Address: LSU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships 1146 Pleasant Hall Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Make sure the scholarship provider includes your name and LSU student ID number on any checks or correspondence they send to the university.
4. Follow Up with Your Scholarship Provider
Once you’ve provided the necessary details to your scholarship provider, it’s a good idea to follow up and confirm when the funds will be sent. Timing can be critical, especially if your scholarship is meant to cover tuition or fees that are due by a certain date.
Here are a few key questions to ask the scholarship provider:
- When will the funds be sent? This will help you plan and ensure that the money arrives before tuition deadlines.
- Are there any stipulations on how the funds can be used? Some scholarships may be limited to covering tuition, while others might also cover books, housing, or other expenses.
- Will the scholarship be disbursed in one lump sum or multiple payments? Knowing the payment schedule will help LSU properly allocate the funds to your account.
5. Monitor Your LSU Student Account
After you’ve submitted the necessary forms and your scholarship provider has sent the funds, it’s important to monitor your student account through the myLSU portal. This will help you verify that the scholarship has been applied correctly to your account.
- Log in to myLSU: Once logged in, navigate to the Billing Statement section, where you can view any payments or credits applied to your account.
- Check the Financial Aid Section: If the outside scholarship has been processed, you should see it reflected in your financial aid summary.
If the funds have not been applied by the expected date, it’s important to follow up with both LSU’s financial aid office and the scholarship provider to resolve any issues.
6. Make Adjustments to Your Financial Aid Package
Receiving an outside scholarship can impact your overall financial aid package. In some cases, your scholarships, grants, or loans may be adjusted to ensure that you do not exceed the Cost of Attendance (COA) limit set by the university.
- Loans: If your total aid package (including outside scholarships) exceeds LSU’s COA, the university may reduce the amount of loans you are eligible for. This can be beneficial, as it allows you to minimize debt.
- Grants: In rare cases, your grants might also be adjusted if the outside scholarship leads to overfunding.
- Work-Study: If you’re participating in a work-study program, receiving additional scholarship funds might reduce your eligibility for these earnings.
To avoid any surprises, it’s helpful to speak with a financial aid advisor about how your outside scholarships might impact your total aid package.
7. Keep Track of Scholarship Requirements
Each scholarship has its own requirements, such as maintaining a specific GPA, enrolling in a certain number of credits, or submitting periodic progress reports. Failing to meet these requirements could lead to the loss of the scholarship.
- Stay Organized: Keep a list of all your scholarships and their renewal criteria. This way, you can make sure you’re meeting all the conditions to keep the funds for future semesters.
- Communicate with Donors: If you encounter any academic difficulties or need clarification on the scholarship’s requirements, don’t hesitate to reach out to the donor organization. Open communication can sometimes help you retain the scholarship.
8. Plan Ahead for Future Semesters
If your outside scholarship is renewable, make sure to submit any necessary renewal documentation to both the donor and LSU. Renewals often require maintaining certain academic standards, and failing to meet deadlines could result in the loss of funding.
- Submit Renewal Forms Early: Many scholarships require you to submit renewal forms before the end of the academic year. Mark your calendar with important deadlines to ensure you don’t miss out on future funds.
- Provide Updated Information: If your circumstances change, such as a change in major, housing status, or enrollment status, be sure to notify both LSU and the scholarship provider.
Conclusion
Understanding how to get outside scholarships to show up at LSU is crucial for maximizing your financial aid and minimizing the cost of your education. By following the steps outlined in this guide—submitting the necessary forms, communicating with your scholarship provider, and staying organized—you can ensure that your scholarship funds are applied correctly and in a timely manner.
Taking the time to report and manage your outside scholarships properly can lead to significant savings and reduce the need for student loans, setting you up for long-term financial success during and after your college years.
Andrew White