It’s time to complete next year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)!

The 2027-2028 FAFSA is now available at StudentAid.gov. The FAFSA uses 2025 income and tax information and will help determine financial aid eligibility for the fall 2027, spring 2028 and summer 2028 semesters.

Completing the FAFSA allows students to be considered for federal, state and institutional financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study and student loans.

 

Grants

• Federal Pell Grant: A federal need-based grant generally available to eligible undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate or professional degree.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): A federal need-based grant for eligible undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Funding is limited.
• LCC Grant: An institutional grant awarded to eligible students who demonstrate financial need.

 

Scholarships

• LCC Foundation Scholarships: Scholarships offered through the LCC Foundation and funded by individuals, businesses, organizations and other donors. The application for the 2027-2028 academic year opens Nov. 1, 2026, and closes Jan. 31, 2027. Scholarship recipients are expected to be announced beginning April 1, 2027.
• Institutional Scholarships: Scholarships funded by LCC. Eligibility requirements vary by scholarship.
• State of Michigan Programs: LCC participates in a variety of State of Michigan financial aid programs. Eligibility requirements vary by program. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA and review available state aid opportunities.
• HOPE and Promise Scholarships: Available to eligible students who participated in the Promise Pledge Ceremony as sixth graders and meet applicable residency, high school completion and other program requirements. Eligible students may receive assistance for up to 65 credits within a four-year period at LCC.
• Community and Corporate Opportunities: Students are encouraged to explore scholarships offered by community foundations, nonprofit organizations, businesses, employers, professional associations and other organizations outside of LCC.

 

Federal student loans

Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans available to eligible students enrolled at least half-time. Loan eligibility is determined after the FAFSA is completed.

• Direct Subsidized Loan: Available to eligible undergraduate students with financial need. The federal government generally pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time and during certain other eligible periods.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loan: Available to eligible students regardless of financial need. Interest begins accruing after the loan is disbursed.

Federal student loan interest rates are established annually. Students should review StudentAid.gov for the interest rate applicable to loans first disbursed during their award year.

Students receiving a Direct Loan for the first time must generally complete:

• Entrance Counseling: Provides information about borrowing, repayment, interest and the responsibilities associated with federal student loans.
• Master Promissory Note (MPN): A legal agreement in which the borrower promises to repay the federal student loan and any accrued interest and fees.

 

Undergraduate annual loan limits

Annual loan limits vary based on the student's dependency status and grade level.

Dependent undergraduate students:

• First year: up to $5,500
• Second year: up to $6,500
• Third year and beyond: up to $7,500

Independent undergraduate students:

• First year: up to $9,500
• Second year: up to $10,500
• Third year and beyond: up to $12,500

The aggregate undergraduate loan limit is generally $31,000 for dependent students and $57,500 for independent students.

Actual loan eligibility may be lower than these maximum amounts based on enrollment, financial need, cost of attendance, other financial aid, prior borrowing and other federal requirements.

 

Other things to remember

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require LCC to monitor whether students receiving financial aid are making satisfactory progress toward completing their educational program. To maintain eligibility, students must meet LCC's SAP standards, including:

• Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA for credits attempted at LCC.
• Successfully complete at least 70% of cumulative attempted credits.
• Complete the program of study before attempting more than 150% of the published credit hours required for the program.

SAP requirements may also apply to certain state, institutional and private financial aid programs.

 

Enrollment changes can affect financial aid
Financial aid eligibility is affected by enrollment. Some awards are based on or initially calculated using full-time enrollment and may be reduced when a student enrolls less than full time or changes enrollment.

Students should always check with the Financial Aid Office before dropping or withdrawing from a course because an enrollment change may affect current or future financial aid eligibility.

 

Important federal student loan changes
Beginning with the 2026-2027 award year, federal law changed how annual Direct Loan eligibility is calculated for students enrolled less than full time.

Students enrolled less than full time may have their annual Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan limits reduced based on their enrollment. Students must continue to be enrolled at least half-time to receive a Direct Loan.

Because loan eligibility can vary based on enrollment and program requirements, students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office before changing their schedule.

 

Get started today!

Don't wait! Complete your 2027-2028 FAFSA as early as possible and review your LCC account regularly for additional requirements. Assistance for completing the FAFSA is available in the StarZone.

Questions? Contact the LCC Financial Aid Office at 517-483-1200, option 1, or financialaid@star.lcc.edu.