Complete Your FAFSA
The 2026 - 2027 FAFSA is open!
Start your Application: Access the FAFSA here.
Follow These 8 Simple Steps to Apply for Financial Aid
Help me choose my FAFSA information... | ||
|---|---|---|
| If I plan to attend LRSC: | Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Summer 2026 | Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Summer 2027 |
| I will fill out the FAFSA form for: | 2025–2026 | 2026–2027 |
| I will use the IRS Tax Year: | 2023 | 2024 |
1. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
School Code: 002991
A student and parent can take steps to make the process easier. Complete your Federal Text returns before completing the FAFSA. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. This tool lets students and parents access IRS tax return information needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Students. This information is generally available 2-3 weeks after taxes have been filed electronically.
- October 1st: To be considered for federal financial aid (grants, loans, or work-study), students can complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1st for the next school year.
- Early Spring: Priority funding for Supplemental Grant, Perkins Loan, Work-Study, and the North Dakota State Incentive grant.
- 2 weeks: Allow at least 2 weeks for processing the electronic FAFSA.
2. Complete the Lake Region State College Application for Admission
Students must be accepted as regular students seeking a degree in an eligible program to qualify for federal financial aid. Students must apply for and be admitted to Lake Region State College before financial aid can be disbursed.
3. Check your FAFSA Submission Summary for Accuracy
After your 2024–25 FAFSA is submitted and processed, you’ll receive an email with instructions to access your FAFSA Summary online. This document summarizes the information you reported on your FAFSA. It includes your estimated Federal Pell Grant and student loan eligibility, your Student Aid Index (SAI), and verification status. The FAFSA Summary replaces the Student Aid Report for the 2025–26 award year.
4. Verification
If selected, the LRSC Financial Aid Office will request documentation needed to complete the verification process, such as:
- Copy of your IRS tax return transcript:
- Click here for Verification worksheets found under Forms < Financial Aid Forms
- Independent Verification Worksheet
- Dependent Verification Worksheet
- Many students assume they qualify as independent for financial aid. They assume this if they live independently, pay their own expenses, and are not claimed on tax returns. The federal government has guidelines that determine which students are considered independent for financial aid purposes. We recommend reading this document to see who qualifies.
- You should read Lake Region State College's Verification Policy, found under Financial Aid Policies.
5. Financial Aid Offer Notice
First-year freshmen will receive a paper offer notice from LRSC detailing the amounts and types of financial aid the college is offering. Offers will be made on a rolling basis as Financial Aid Applications are received throughout the year. Financial Aid Packaging Process
- You can accept your offer using Campus Connection
- Click on your Financial Aid tile - Accept/Decline Awards
- Read more information - Offer Notice Supplement 2025-2026
6. Master Promissory Note
Students accepting a Federal Direct Loan for the first time must complete a Master Promissory Note.
7. Loan Counseling
First-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers must complete Loan Entrance Counseling before the first disbursement. Complete Loan Counseling here.
8. Financial Aid Disbursement
Financial Aid is disbursed during Tuition and Fee Payment which usually occurs during the 3rd week of class. Financial aid disbursement is based on the student’s enrollment status as of the 10th calendar day of each semester. Students must be registered in all classes and sessions for the semester to allow accurate financial aid eligibility calculation. Students who register after financial aid disbursement are responsible for tuition. Dropping credits before class begins will reduce their financial aid. The student may owe money back to the financial aid programs.
Most financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) is applied to tuition, fees, housing, meals, and books. Excess aid is disbursed to the student after direct costs are paid. Direct Loan or alternative loan funds are sent via Electronic Funds Transfer and credited to your college account. Students can deposit excess financial aid into their bank account by completing the direct deposit form on Campus Connection.
Kelsey Walters
Financial Aid Director
701-662-1517
Kelsey.Walters@lrsc.edu