Grants
A grant is a financial aid award that does not have to be repaid unless, for example, the student withdraws from school or does not meet satisfactory academic progress and owes a refund. Grants are need-based awards most commonly funded through the U.S. Department of Education including the Federal Pell Grant Program.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
What is it?
The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) Program is a source of grant aid sponsored by the federal government. In order to be eligible for SEOG assistance, a student must be enrolled at least part-time, meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress, demonstrate exceptional financial need, and be a Pell Grant recipient. Exceptional financial need is determined by a systematic and consistent need analysis system. Funding is limited and awards are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis.
How do I apply?
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
How much can I get?
The amount awarded is dependent on the students’ financial needs and the availability of funding.
Federal Pell Grant
What is it?
The Pell Grant is a need-based federal grant program for students who are seeking their first undergraduate degree, eligible certificate program, or Bachelor’s degree program. The annual Pell Grant award amount is determined by a student’s Student Aid Index (SAI) and enrollment status as of the drop deadline for each part of term you start classes). A Pell Grant is intended to be the basic type of aid and may be combined with other forms of aid in order to meet the student’s financial need. A student may receive Pell for up to 12 semesters before reaching the Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU).
Effective July 1, 2026, Federal regulations based on the One Big Beautiful Bill will make students ineligible for a Pell Grant if their non-federal grants or scholarships (state, institutional, private) equal or exceed their total Cost of Attendance. This change, largely impacts students receiving large scholarships or full-tuitional aid.
Additionally, students with an Student Aid Index (SAI) that exceeds twice the maximum Pell Grant will be prevented from receiving a Pell Grant.
How do I apply?
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
LSSC School Code: 001502
How much can I get?
Award amounts can change yearly. The U.S Department of Education determines the amount a student is eligible for based on the FAFSA information and it will also depend on the:
- Cost of Attendance (COA)
- financial need (difference between the COA at LSSC and your SAI).
- status as a full-time or part-time student
Statement on Pell Grant Adjustment Based on Cost of Attendance
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded based on a student’s eligibility as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), including the Student Aid Index (SAI), enrollment status, and the institution’s established Cost of Attendance (COA).
The Cost of Attendance represents the maximum amount of financial aid a student may receive for a given academic period. Lake‑Sumter State College (LSSC) uses the COA to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and student loans. When a student’s total financial assistance exceeds the established COA, federal regulations require the College to make adjustments to ensure compliance.
In these situations, a student’s Pell Grant may be reduced or adjusted to prevent an overaward. Adjustments are made in accordance with U.S. Department of Education regulations and LSSC policy to ensure that all aid remains within allowable limits. Changes in enrollment status, housing status, or other COA components may also result in adjustments to a student’s financial aid package, including Pell Grant eligibility.
Effective July 1, 2026, federal regulations resulting from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) will introduce additional Pell Grant limitations. Under these regulations, a student will not be eligible for a Pell Grant if the total amount of non‑federal grants or scholarships (including state, institutional, or private awards) equals or exceeds the student’s total Cost of Attendance. This change primarily affects students who receive large scholarships or full‑tuition awards.
Additionally, students whose Student Aid Index (SAI) exceeds twice the maximum Pell Grant amount will not be eligible to receive a Pell Grant.
LSSC is committed to supporting students through these changes. The College will work directly with students—and, when applicable, scholarship donors—to review and adjust financial aid packages to maximize available support while remaining compliant with federal regulations. Students with questions or who would like a personalized review of their financial aid package are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office.
Work-Study
Work where you study! Student Employment programs at Lake-Sumter State College are intended to provide real-world job experiences for students, including application and interview processes, on-the-job training and experiences, and professional soft skills.
LSSC student employee supervisors will work with student employees on their work schedules to ensure that education is the priority. The federal student employment programs at LSSC are administered without regard to race, creed, color, sex, physical disability, or national origin.
The benefits of working for LSSC:
- Earn funds to help pay for your educational expenses
- Gain valuable work experience to enhance your educational and/or occupational goals
- Create bonds with other students and staff at LSSC
- Learn new skills for your future employment
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
What is it?
The Federal Work-Study program provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for their educational expenses. Work-study jobs offer flexible hours that accommodate your class schedule. Jobs are available on campus in Leesburg, South Lake, Sumter and remotely.
The objectives of the federal student employment programs are:
- To offer jobs to students who need to earn funds to help pay for their educational expenses.
- To provide work experience that will enhance the student’s educational and/or occupational goals.
- To provide additional services which would otherwise not exist for LSSC and for participating public or private non-profit organizations.
How do I apply?
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must also go to LSSC Employment Opportunities page and follow these steps:
- Apply online by clicking on the job title in which you are interested and click the “Apply” link!
- After viewing the Job Posting, click the “Apply” tab. If this is the first time you are applying, you will need to create an account and select a Username and Password.
- After your account has been established, you can import your resume from LinkedIn, upload it from a saved document on your computer, or manually enter your personal information.
- Your application will be saved and can be used to apply for future job openings. Online applications are stored on a secure site. Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the information submitted.
How much can I get?
The amount awarded is dependent on the students’ financial needs and the availability of funding.
Direct Loans
Loans are available to students and parent(s) to help meet the cost of education after all other funding options have been exhausted. Student loans can be used to cover the cost of tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing, food, and transportation. Unlike scholarships, loans must be repaid so students should only borrow what is necessary to cover these expenses. Your eligibility for a Direct Loan is part of your Financial Aid Offer. You are not required to take out all or any of the Direct Loans offered to you. You can accept, decrease or decline your Direct Loan offer through your myLSSC account, under your financial aid offer.
Effective July 1, 2026, Federal regulations based on the One Big Beautiful Bill, the loan amounts for students who are enrolled less than full-time in any given semester are subject to a loan reduction based on the number of credits enrolled. For questions or a personalized review of your financial aid package, students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office.
Parent PLUS loans annual limits will be applied per regulation. Parents may borrow up to $20,000 per year, per dependent, limited by a student’s Cost of Attendance (COA). A parent will receive an aggregate limit of $65,000 per student.
Direct Loans – Frequently Asked Questions
Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 601.21, requires the development, administration, and enforcement of a code of conduct governing educational loan activities.
Our officers, employees, trustees, and agents, including the alumni association, booster club, and other organizations associated with Lake-Sumter State College, agree to the provisions of this Code of Conduct and will refrain from:
- Refusing to certify or delay the certification of an education loan based on a borrower’s choice of lender.
- Assigning a first-time borrower to a particular private education loan lender through the student’s financial aid award or another means.
- Packaging a private education loan in a student’s financial aid award, except when the student is ineligible for other financial aid, has exhausted his or her federal student aid eligibility, has not filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or refuses to apply for a federal student loan.
- Accepting impermissible gifts, goods, or services from a lender, lender servicer, or guarantor. The institution may accept default prevention, financial literacy, or student aid-related educational services or materials, or other items of nominal value.
- Accepting philanthropic contributions from a lender, lender servicer, or guarantor that are related to the educational loans provided by the entity that is making the contribution.
- Serving on or otherwise participating as a member of an advisory council for a lender, lender affiliate, or lender servicer.
- Accepting from a lender or its affiliate any fee, payment, or other financial benefits as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or other contracts to provide education loan-related services to or on behalf of the lender.
- Accepting fees or other benefits in exchange for endorsing a lender or the lender’s loan products.
- Requesting or accepting an offer of funds for private education loans from a lender, in exchange for our promise to provide the lender with placement on a preferred lender list, or a certain number of volumes of private education loans.
This institution is committed to providing the information and resources necessary to help every student achieve educational success. To accomplish this goal the financial aid staff will consider each student’s individual needs.
Your Rights as a Borrower
- You may accept all, some, or none of the student loan funds offered.
- You are entitled to a copy of your promissory note, which outlines the terms and conditions of your student loan, and will receive it before or after the loan is made.
- Before you begin to repay, your loan holder is required to give you a payment schedule and detailed information about interest rates, fees, the balance you owe, and your repayment options.
- You have a right to defer payments for certain defined periods or to request forbearance if you qualify.
- You may be eligible to repay under a graduated or income-based repayment plan.
- For federal student loans and most private student loans, you may prepay in whole or in part at any time without penalty.
Your Responsibilities as a Borrower
- You must notify your school if you want to borrow less than the amount that has been awarded.
- You must repay your student loans on time and in full even if you do not finish your education, get a job, or feel satisfied with the education you received.
- You must notify your loan holder or servicer immediately of any change to your name, address, telephone number, or Social Security number. Information about your loan holder or servicer is available at studentaid.gov.
- You must make scheduled monthly payments even if you do not receive a bill or coupon booklet.
- First-time Federal Direct loan borrowers must receive entrance counseling before funds can be disbursed.
- Students are required to complete exit counseling when they graduate, withdraw, drop to less than half-time enrollment, or do not return for the next term.
If the total loan amount you receive over the course of your education reaches the aggregate loan limit, you are not eligible to receive additional loans. However, if you repay some of your loans to bring your outstanding loan debt below the aggregate loan limit, you could then borrow again, up to the amount of your remaining eligibility under the aggregate loan limit.
Aggregate Limits for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
| LABLE NEEDED | Subsidized Loan Limit | Unsubsidized Loan Limit | Combined Loan Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent | $23,000 | $8,000 | $31,000 |
| Independent | $23,000 | $34,500 | $57,500 |
Annual Loan Limits
| Academic Level | Dependent | Independent |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Undergraduate | $5,500 Annual Loan Limit ($3,500 max in subsidized) | $9,500 Annual Loan Limit ($3,500 max in subsidized) |
| Second Year Undergraduate | $6,500 Annual Loan Limit ($4,500 max in subsidized) | $10,500 Annual Loan Limit ($4,500 max in subsidized) |
| Third Year and Beyond Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit (Bachelor Students Only) | $7,500 Annual Loan Limit ($5,500 max in subsidized) | $12,500 Annual Loan Limit ($5,500 max in subsidized) |
Most federal student loans have loan fees that are a percentage of the total loan amount. The loan fee is deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement you receive. This means the money you receive will be less than the amount you borrow. You’re responsible for repaying the entire amount you borrowed and not just the amount you received. Information related to Federal Student Loan fees are found at studentaid.gov.
Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loan - Direct Subsidized Loans are for students who have financial needs. With a subsidized Stafford Loan, the federal government will pay the interest while you’re enrolled at least half-time, during your grace period, and during deferment periods. The amount of a subsidized loan cannot exceed a student’s financial need. This loan is subject to verified financial need and not exceed educational costs. Repayment begins six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, with a fixed interest rate determined by the US Department of Education
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan - Direct Unsubsidized loans do not require students to have financial needs. With an Unsubsidized Loan, you are responsible for paying the interest during all periods, starting from the date the loan is first disbursed. Information regarding repayment can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office. Repayment begins six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, with a fixed interest rate determined by the US Department of Education
Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students - Parents of dependent students can borrow from the PLUS loan program. They require that the applicant not have an adverse credit history and have a fixed interest rate determined by the US Department of Education. Repayment begins on the date the loan is fully disbursed. If a parent is borrowing on behalf of a dependent undergraduate student, the student and parent must meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year. Your FAFSA must be received and processed by the federal processor. You must meet all of the below requirements to receive your Federal Direct loan:
- A separate application is required if you are applying for a Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan. Loan packets are available in the Financial Aid Office.
- Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note
- Degree-seeking student
- Must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
- Select only those courses in an AA or AS degree or approved certificate program at LSSC. Courses taken outside of those LSSC programs will not be paid for by financial aid.
- Enrollment in a minimum of 6 credit/load hours at Lake-Sumter State College.