Financing Your Education

The decision to invest in a quality education for your future may be one of the most important decisions you and your parents will ever make. At Lewis & Clark, we believe that your college choice should be based on the quality of academic programs and opportunities available to you. We also recognize that college costs and finances are important factors and will play a significant role in your final choice.

During the 2001-02 academic year:

• Approximately 69 percent of Lewis & Clark students received some form of financial assistance.
• We awarded more than $23 million to our students from College, federal, state, and private sources.
• Individual aid packages ranged from $500 to $31,980.

Education is an investment. Lewis & Clark’s costs, like those at most private colleges, may seem high. Through financial aid, however, private education is accessible to students from families with a wide range of incomes.

Our merit scholarships, part-time employment, and loan programs are particularly helpful to students who may not qualify for need-based aid programs.

If you decide to attend Lewis & Clark, you and your family will have the primary responsibility for funding your education. Financial aid helps to bridge the gap between the costs of education and the financial resources of your family.

Need-based financial aid

Lewis & Clark’s primary funding commitment is to a need-based financial aid program. Eligibility for need-based funds is based primarily on an analysis of the income and asset information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Household size and the number of students in college (excluding parents) are also considered in the analysis. The analysis is applied consistently to all applicants and calculates a minimum expected family contribution. The cost of attending Lewis & Clark is also considered in determining your eligibility for assistance. Additional information such as copies of your and your parents’ federal income tax returns, documentation of untaxed income and benefits, and/or documentation of college enrollment by other family members reported on the FAFSA may be requested and used in the determination of need-based aid eligibility.

Applying for need-based aid

First-Year and Transfer Students

As an incoming student in the academic year 2003-04, you should do the following:

1. Apply for admission to Lewis & Clark. Only students who are admitted to the College will be considered for financial aid.
2. The 2003-04 FAFSA must be received by the federal processor no later than March 1, 2003, to receive priority consideration for aid. The FAFSA is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to list Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon, as one of the recipients of your FAFSA analysis. The Federal School Code for Lewis & Clark is 003197.

Note: You should file the FAFSA with estimated income information rather than risk missing the priority date of March 1.

Continuing Students

Continuing undergraduate students must reapply for aid each year and adhere to the March 1 priority consideration date. Continuing students are encouraged to file a Renewal FAFSA, which is sent from the federal processor to the address the government has on record for the student. Continuing students who do not receive a Renewal FAFSA should file the FAFSA to be considered for need-based financial aid. Continuing students must also complete Lewis & Clark’s College Aid Application (CAP), which is distributed to all continuing students at the beginning of the spring semester.

Helpful hints in the application process

1. Keep copies of all documents submitted in case questions arise concerning your application.
2. Complete the admission process, but do not wait for notification of admission to apply for financial assistance. You should apply for admission and financial assistance simultaneously.
3. If you miss the priority deadline of March 1, you can still apply for financial assistance. Complete the application materials as soon as you can. Late applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. Financial assistance will be offered to those who demonstrate eligibility according to existing funding levels at the time of review.
4. For any information submitted on the FAFSA that you feel needs further explanation, please submit written clarification directly to the Office of Student Financial Services, and not to the federal processing center. Be sure to include your name and Social Security number on all correspondence.

After the forms are filed

You may receive a request for additional information to determine your eligibility for need-based financial aid. Please respond as quickly as possible—a delay in responding will cause a delay in our ability to provide you with an offer of financial assistance.

If you are admitted to Lewis & Clark, you will receive an Award Notification from the Office of Student Financial Services. This Award Notification will indicate the programs and amounts of assistance being offered to you by the College. A need-based financial aid award typically consists of gift aid in the form of grants and/or scholarships, subsidized student loans, and an offer of work-study. If you do not qualify for need-based aid, you will receive an Award Notification indicating your eligibility for an unsub-sidized Federal Stafford Loan in addition to any merit scholarships awarded through the Office of Admissions.

You will be asked to review the Financial Aid Guide that accompanies the Award Notification, accept or reject the aid offered, sign the Award Acceptance indicating your decision, and return it to the Office of Student Financial Services. The Award Acceptance must be received before funds can be applied to your educational costs.

You must also pay a tuition deposit to the Office of Admissions to reserve your place in the entering class and to secure your financial aid award. Instructions about the tuition deposit will be included in your letter of acceptance.

Sources of aid at Lewis & Clark College

Grants and scholarships

This type of financial assistance requires no repayment by students. Scholarship and grant funds received in excess of tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment are considered taxable income and should be reported on students’ federal income tax returns.

Lewis & Clark Grants

These grants are from institutional resources and are awarded to students based on demonstrated financial need and overall strength as applicants to the College. For 2001-02, these grants ranged from $500 to $19,740. All students who apply and qualify for need-based aid are considered for this funding source. Funds are limited—you must file by the priority deadline to receive full consideration. These need-based grants are not guaranteed for additional years. Eligibility will be based on each succeeding year’s application for aid.

Sheryl Reed Smith Scholarship

A scholarship of up to $5,000 is awarded to an entering Oregon student who has graduated from a Wallowa County high school. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic performance and demonstrated financial need. Awards are renewable for three additional years.

Randy Massengale Scholarship

A $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a currently enrolled sophomore for his or her junior year. African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic, and Native American students are invited to apply based on demonstrated need and academic eligibility. The scholarship is renewable for the senior year based on academic performance.

Helen Sanders Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an entering student who is Native American, with first priority given to a descendent of any of the original allottees of the Quinault Reservation. Special consideration is given to students with a demonstrated interest in history or ethnohistory. The awards are normally $2,250 to $4,500 a year, and will be renewed in subsequent years based on academic performance and demonstrated financial need. An application form may be obtained from the Lewis & Clark Office of Admissions or from the Office of Ethnic Student Services.

Steele-Reese Foundation Scholarships

Awards ranging up to $5,000 are available to Idaho students from Lemhi or Custer county high schools. Awards are based on academic performance and demonstrated need, and are renewable for three additional years.

Outreach Scholarships

Awards of up to $5,000 per year are available to African-American, Hispanic, and Native American students based on demonstrated financial need. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions or the Office of Ethnic Student Services.

Oregon Opportunity Grants

These state-funded grants are available to Oregon residents based on demonstrated financial need. The amount of the grant is determined each year based on funding approved by the Oregon legislature.

Federal Pell Grants

These grants are awarded based on a student’s demonstrated financial need. For 1999-2000, Federal Pell Grants ranged from $400 to $3,125.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded to students based on demonstrated financial need. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients with the greatest financial need as demonstrated in the application for financial assistance. For 2001-02, federal SEOG awards ranged from $500 to $3,000.

Merit-based scholarships

Lewis & Clark’s merit-based awards recognize student achievement in a variety of fields. Recipients of these scholarships are selected without regard to income information. The amount of each scholarship varies. Students may not receive an amount more than full tuition from institutional sources, even if they are selected for more than one scholarship and/or a combination of Lewis & Clark’s need-based grants..

Barbara Hirschi Neely Scholarships

Up to ten full-tuition scholarships are awarded to entering first-year students who demonstrate a commitment to learning that characterizes the best of Lewis & Clark students. Special preference is given to students committed to studying science and natural systems, or intercultural and international issues. Scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years based on continued academic excellence.

Trustee Scholarships

Up to fifteen scholarships equal to half the cost of tuition and fees are awarded to entering first-year students with outstanding academic credentials and special interest in the sciences or international issues. Trustee Scholarships are renewable for three additional years based on continued academic excellence. All first-year applicants for admission who submit applications by preferred deadlines are considered for the Neely and Trustee scholarships; no separate application is required.

Dean’s Scholarships

A number of these merit scholarships are awarded to entering students based on their academic program and performance. Amounts of the scholarships vary from $4,000 to $8,000. Scholarships are renewable for three additional years based on continued academic excellence. Aside from the application for admission, no separate form is required to be considered for these scholarships.

Leadership and Service Awards

A number of $5,000 awards are made in recognition of outstanding academics combined with exemplary leadership and/or service in the student’s school or community. Scholarships are renewable for three additional years based on continued academic success and participation in leadership and service while enrolled at the College. All applicants are considered; no separate application is required.

Herbert Templeton National Merit Scholarships

Lewis & Clark offers awards of $750 to $2,000, based on demonstrated financial need, to entering first-year students who have been selected as National Merit finalists and who have named Lewis & Clark as their first-choice college with the National Merit Corporation by May 1. To qualify, you must take the PSAT no later than your junior year of high school. Additional information is available from your high school counselor or the National Merit Corporation.

Forensics Scholarships

Awards ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 are given annually to students who have outstanding records of achievement in debate and forensics. To apply, write or phone Steve Hunt, Director of Forensics, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road, Portland, Oregon 97219-7899. Telephone 503-768-7615.

Music Scholarships

Awards ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 are given annually to students who have outstanding talent in music. Application includes an audition. To apply, write or phone Dave Becker, Department of Music, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road, Portland, Oregon 97219-7899. Telephone 503-768-7460.

PGE Scholarship

A scholarship funded by Portland General Electric (PGE) is awarded each year to a student from Oregon enrolling for the first time in college. The amount of the scholarship is determined by PGE and may vary from year to year. For 2001-02, the amount of the scholarship was $2,500. Applications are available from high schools and should be sent to the Office of Admissions at Lewis & Clark College.

The Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr., Society of Fellows

Membership in the Pamplin Society is the highest honor bestowed by Lewis & Clark College on its students. Each fall the College names seven Pamplin fellows as they begin their second year at the College (membership may also be extended to transfer students and others to fill vacancies). The fellows are guaranteed that their full demonstrated need as determined by federal need-analysis guidelines will be met without the use of loan programs. Lewis & Clark assistance will not exceed the cost of tuition and fees. Regardless of need, fellows also receive awards of $600 in each remaining year of their studies at Lewis & Clark to be used for academic support such as books, computers, travel to conferences, senior thesis research, or to supplement joint research projects with the faculty.

R.B. Pamplin Corporation Scholarships

Two $2,500 scholarships are awarded to currently enrolled sophomores for their junior year. Students are invited to apply based on academic merit as well as community and college service. Awards are renewable for the senior year based on continued excellence, making this a $5,000 scholarship funded by the R.B. Pamplin Corporation.

Cheney Foundation Scholarships

Five $2,000 scholarships are awarded to currently enrolled first-year students for their sophomore year. An additional five $2,000 scholarships are awarded to juniors to be used during their senior year. Students are invited to apply by a selection committee and are selected based on academic merit and community and college service.

Private Scholarships

Private scholarships, many of which are based on merit or special criteria, are an increasingly important source of funding for students. Last year, Lewis & Clark students garnered over $770,000 in external scholarship money awarded by businesses, community groups, and religious and fraternal organizations. Your high school counselor should be able to refer you to local scholarship sources. If you are on campus, you are also welcome to use the reference information located in the Office of Student Financial Services and in Watzek Library to research sources of private scholarships.

Employment

Hundreds of part-time jobs are available on campus. Positions funded through the Federal Work-Study Program are reserved for students who demonstrate financial need. Many other jobs are available to students who wish to work. Part-time jobs are also available in the city of Portland.

The current pay rate for on-campus jobs ranges from $6.50 to $8 per hour. A student can earn up to $2,000 during the academic year working 8 to 12 hours a week at $6.50 per hour.

Summer Employment

Some students work at Lewis & Clark full time during the summer. Campus employers typically include Watzek Library, Facilities Services, Templeton Student Center, the Business Office, the Office of Admissions, and others.

Loans

Educational loans must be repaid, generally beginning six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time. There is no interest or payment on need-based loan programs such as the Federal Perkins Loan or the subsidized Federal Stafford Loan while you are enrolled. The College will determine your eligibility for need-based loan programs by evaluating your application for financial aid and will inform you of your eligibility through an Award Notification.

Federal Perkins Loans

Federally funded loans are available at a fixed 5-percent interest rate to students with exceptional financial need. Students borrow an average of $1,750 per year during undergraduate years. Repayment and interest are deferred until nine months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half time. Repayment is made to Lewis & Clark at a minimum of $40 per month.

Federal Stafford Loans

Undergraduate students may be eligible to apply for a Federal Stafford Loan. The funds are provided through private lending institutions. First-year students may borrow a maximum of $2,625 per year, sophomores a maximum of $3,500, and juniors and seniors up to $5,500 per year (aggregate total of $23,000). The interest rate for new borrowers is variable but has a cap of 8.25 percent. Payments and interest are deferred until six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.

The federal government requires the lender to deduct an origination fee of 3 percent of the principal from each loan disbursement.

Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan

Students may be eligible for an unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan if they do not qualify for a regular subsidized Federal Stafford Loan. Interest is variable, begins accruing at the time funds are disbursed, and has a cap of 8.25 percent. More information on this program is available from the Office of Student Financial Services.

Federal Parent Loan (PLUS)

The Federal Parent Loan Program is for the parents of dependent undergraduate students. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attending Lewis & Clark minus any other financial aid. The loans are made by private lending institutions such as banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions. The interest rate on a PLUS loan is variable, with a maximum of 9 percent. There are no income criteria to determine eligibility for this loan. However, the lender will perform a credit check before approving the loan.

Applications should be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Services.

Alternative Loans

Several types of alternative loans are available for parents and students. Contact the Office of Student Financial Services for information and/or application forms.

Costs

Lewis & Clark is a private institution that receives modest support from public funds. Tuition revenue covers approximately three-fourths of the cost of operating the College. Income from endowment and gifts from trustees, alumni, and friends of the College meet the balance of the costs.

Personal expenses, books, and supplies: approximately $1,800. Transportation varies depending on home residence.

* Other plans available

Billing and payment

Your College fees will be divided into two separate payments. Prior to each semester, the Cashier and Credit Office will send you a bill for that semester. One-half of your aid, excluding work-study and private scholarships, will be credited to your account in the Cashier and Credit Office for each semester.

You and your family may elect to participate in an installment payment plan with the College through Academic Management Services (AMS). Please contact the Cashier and Credit Office or AMS for details..

Further information

Lewis & Clark College

Oregon State Scholarship Commission

1500 Valley River Center, Eugene, OR 97401
Outside Eugene - 800-452-8807
Eugene - 503-687-7400
Loan Department - 503-687-7375

Federal Student Aid Information Center

P.O. Box 84, Washington, D.C. 20044
General Information - 800-433-3243
Application status - 319-337-5665
Information for the deaf and hard-of-hearing (TDD) - 800-730-8913

Academic Management Services