FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS

Financing your Law degree

Lewis & Clark’s costs, like those at most private colleges, may seem high. But earning an advanced degree is an investment in your future earning ability.

Financial aid, including scholarships, loans, and Federal Work-Study is intended to cover up to the cost of attendance for the year. This comprehensive cost figure includes not only the annual tuition and fees, but also set allowances for living expenses, local transportation, personal spending, and semester book purchases.

Student expense budgets for financial aid do not allow the use of education loan funds to pay for prior consumer debt. Pay off any outstanding consumer debt before enrolling in law school. Save as much money as possible for contingencies, and maintain a good credit history.

Incoming and Transfer Students

As an applicant to the Lewis & Clark law school you will be considered for scholarships through the law school. International students are also considered for scholarships from the law school. Most of these scholarships will be awarded based on academic merit. The Admissions Committee will determine which applicants will be offered scholarships.

To apply for need-based financial aid including student loans you'll need to:

• Apply for admission to the Law School. Financial aid awards can only be made to admitted students.
• File the FAFSA on-line at: http://www.fafsa. ed.gov as soon after January 1st as possible. Our priority deadline for maximum consideration for financial aid from all sources is March 1. List Lewis & Clark as one of the schools you authorize to access your FAFSA data electronically. Lewis & Clark's FAFSA code number is 003197. Do not wait until after you are accepted into law school to begin the financial aid process.

Priority Filing Deadline - March 1

Students whose FAFSAs are processed prior to March 1 will be given full consideration for aid from all sources. While we are still able to prepare awards for other students after March 1, some of the more limited federal aid funds may not be available.

The FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid

The FAFSA is a need-analysis tool of the U.S. Department of Education. The FAFSA will ask for income information from the prior calendar year; which is why you cannot file before January 1. The FAFSA will also ask about assets owned by you, and other financial resources available to you. By virtue of having earned your Bachelor’s degree, you are considered to be financially independent of your parents. Your eligibility for financial aid as a law student at Lewis & Clark College will be calculated using only your own (and spouse) financial information. Other law schools may request additional information about family income and assets when awarding their own institutional funds.

Verification

Approximately 30% of all FAFSA applications are selected for a quality control process called verification. If you are selected for verification, you will be required to submit information to support the information you provided on the FAFSA such as a signed copy of your federal tax return. Please DO NOT submit a copy of your federal tax return to Lewis & Clark unless it has been requested.

Continuing Students

Financial aid is an annual process. To reapply for aid you'll need to:

1. File the FAFSA on-line at http://www.fafsa. ed.gov as soon after January 1st as possible. Our priority deadline for maximum consideration for financial aid from all sources is March 1, 2008
2. Complete a one-page school questionnaire called the College Aid Application. Your enrollment plans including division changes or if you plan to ‘visit’ at another law school for a semester, can be noted on the College Aid Application. You will also use the questionnaire to inform us of outside financial assistance and/or scholarships you expect to receive.
3. Complete Verification if your FAFSA is selected. Approximately 30% of all FAFSA applications are selected for a quality control process called verification. If you are selected for verification, you will be required to submit information to support the information you provided on the FAFSA such as a signed copy of your federal tax return BEFORE an award can be produced for you. Please DO NOT submit a copy of your federal tax return to Lewis & Clark unless it has been requested.