LASSO Student FAQ

Using LASSO 

What is LASSO? 

LASSO stands for “Longhorn Awards & Student Scholarship Opportunities”; it is a new system where students may search and apply for awards at UT Austin for those colleges and departments that are using LASSO. 

Where can I see available scholarships in LASSO? 

The LASSO Scholarship Search page is available to everyone. This page displays all awards that are available through LASSO and includes information on how to apply for these awards (open to current UT students and applicants only).   

How do I only see scholarships for my school or status? 

You may refine the LASSO Scholarship Search page results by using “Category Search Filter” button towards the top of the page. After you return to the main search page, the page will update to display only those scholarships classified under the categories you checked the boxes for in the pop-up window. Click the “Clear” button towards the top of the page to remove your category filters.   

How do I find a specific scholarship? 

To find a specific scholarship, use the “Keyword(s) Search” bar towards the top of the LASSO Scholarship Search page and type in the scholarship name. Click the “Clear” button towards the top of the page to see all scholarships again.  

Why can’t I log in to LASSO? 

Only current UT students and applicants may log in to LASSO using their EID and password. If you are having trouble logging in due to DUO Multi-Factor Authentication issues, please see this page.   

Applying for Awards 

I want to apply for a scholarship but there is no link on the search page. How do I apply? 

The Scholarship Search page of LASSO lists all scholarships that are available in LASSO. To apply for scholarships in LASSO that require an application be completed, click the green "Apply Now" button at the top of the page. This will take you to a page displaying all applications you are eligible to complete. Click the "Start Application" button to complete the application. Note that not all scholarships require an application be completed; these awards will automatically match eligible students based on data from your official student records. 

The LASSO Scholarship Search page also includes several scholarship opportunities that are external to UT. If you are interested in applying for these awards, click the orange "Apply Now" button included in the award description. This will take you to an external site where you may apply for the award. 

Why don’t I see any scholarships or applications for my college in LASSO? 

Not all colleges and departments are using LASSO to award all of their scholarships. If you do not see the scholarship(s) or application(s) you are looking for in LASSO, check with your college, school, or unit to see if they are using LASSO.  

If they are using LASSO and you still cannot access their application(s) or apply for their scholarship(s), the application period is not yet open or is restricted to a particular group of students. Please check with your college, school, or unit for further details. 

I want to apply for a scholarship but there is no link on the search page. How do I apply? 

The Scholarship Search page of LASSO lists all scholarships that are available in LASSO. To apply for scholarships in LASSO that require an application be completed, click the green "Apply Now" button at the top of the page. This will take you to a page displaying all applications you are eligible to complete. Click the "Start Application" button to complete the application. Note that not all scholarships require an application be completed; these awards will automatically match eligible students based on data from your official student records. 

Why are some of my application answers already filled in? 

If you have already answered a question on an application in LASSO, your answer will automatically fill in on all other applications that include the same question within the year. If you make any changes to your answer, this will update your answer on all applications, including any applications you’ve completed previously for the year.  

All questions will need to be answered again in the next award year; answers will not carry across years. 

Why do some of the “locked” answers on an application have information that doesn’t look right? Can I change the answer?  

These are pieces of information that LASSO obtains from other UT systems and, in cases when you are applying for scholarships that you won’t receive until the next academic year, LASSO is projecting certain information about your eligibility; i.e., it is pushing the data forward based on the idea that your answer today is different from what it will be at the time you receive the scholarship (examples include classification and total hours).

You cannot change these answers because they are a reflection of current UT data or a projection of current UT data.

If you are in the Dell Medical School or the School of Law, much of your information is held in that department, not in the central UT systems that LASSO communicates with and will not be shown on an application. When certain information is needed to determine your eligibility for a scholarship, your department will coordinate with the LASSO team to load it into LASSO or they will ask you to enter the information on an application.

Do I have to complete an application all at once or can I stop and finish it later? 

You may start and application and finish it at a later date. Any answers you have completed will be saved. To return to an application that you started, log in to LASSO and click the “My Applications” tab at the top of the page. This page will indicate which applications you’ve started but have not completed yet, as well as the application deadline. 

My application requires a Letter of Recommendation. How do I get this? 

For applications in LASSO that require a Letter of Recommendation, your recommender will be contacted via email at the email address you provide with instructions on how to complete their recommendation in LASSO. The recommender will not need to log in to LASSO with an EID; they will be provided with a unique link and PIN where they will complete their recommendation. 

Receiving Awards 

What is the status of my application? 

To see the status of your application, log into LASSO and click the “My Applications” tab at the top of the page. Here you will see the current status of each of your applications in LASSO, including the deadline for each application. 

When will I know if I’ve received a scholarship? 

Awarding timelines vary depending on the department that is administering the scholarship. Please check with your college, school, or unit to learn more about their awarding timeline.  

Any scholarships you receive will show up on the “My Awards” tab in LASSO. Many scholarships require “Next Steps” that you must complete before funds release.  

When will my scholarship be released? 

Scholarships awarded through LASSO will be paid through UT Accounting. Once it has been paid, you can see the status of your payment on the “Where’s My Check?” page of UT Direct.  

The Texas One Stop is able to provide further details about your scholarship disbursement date, if needed. 

Why haven’t I received my award even though it’s been released?  

If your award required “Next Steps” in LASSO, you must complete these before funds will pay out. Depending on timing, there may be a delay from when you complete these and when your payment may go out. 

You can see the status of your payment on the “Where’s My Check?” page of UT Direct. (Payments will only be issued via Direct Deposit if your bank information is provided on the “My Bank Information” page of UT Direct.).  

Your award payment will automatically apply to any outstanding UT bills you may have first, before any remaining funds will be issued directly to you. 

Additionally, if you’ve been awarded financial aid up to your full cost of attendance and your other financial aid has already disbursed, your award may replace some of this aid. This is because you cannot be awarded over your cost of attendance for a semester. This financial aid adjustment may affect how the award is applied to your student account but the adjustment may be advantageous; for example, when a scholarship replaces a loan. In these instances, details may be seen on the “My Financial Aid” page. 

The Texas One Stop is able to provide further details about your award payment, if needed.  

Financial Aid & LASSO 

How will receiving a scholarship impact my financial aid package?  

Scholarships awarded in LASSO will be automatically be added to the My Financial Aid portal and will be included in your total cost of attendance. For more details on how a scholarship may impact your aid package, please see this page. 

Why can’t I see all of my financial aid in LASSO? 

LASSO is only for scholarships, fellowships, and some select awards. Your full financial aid package is listed in your My Financial Aid portal; any LASSO awards you receive will be shown there once your department finalizes your award.  

You may receive some award payments that do not appear in your My Financial Aid portal. This is because they are not included in your financial aid packaging; these include emergency funds, cash prizes, certain travel funds, direct tuition payments, etc. 

Why did my financial aid change after receiving a scholarship? 

If you’ve been awarded financial aid up to your full cost of attendance your scholarship may have replaced some of this aid. This is because you cannot be awarded over your cost of attendance for a semester. In these instances, details may be seen on the “My Financial Aid” page. 

The Texas One Stop is able to provide further details about your award payment, if needed.