Undergraduate Financial Aid

A private, liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Our financial aid program creates solutions to serve students from diverse economic backgrounds.

Get Started With the FAFSA

Step one in applying for undergrad financial aid involves completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using our unique school code, 003197. This can be done for the 2024-25 school year starting sometime in December 2023.

Undergrad Pro Tip: Create an account on the Federal Student Aid site to get your FSA ID, which you’ll need before you file the FAFSA. Here’s a quick video tutorial to help with that process. You and any family member who will be contributing information to your FAFSA should create an FSA ID prior to applying for aid.

Complete the FAFSA

Important Financial Aid Timing

The federal government began releasing FAFSA data to colleges in late March, but announced shortly thereafter that a significant number of the FAFSAs were processed incorrectly. In the meantime, the L&C financial aid staff is processing all FAFSAs known to have accurate data and will release need-based aid offers on a rolling basis starting in mid-April. We encourage you to monitor your L&C Portal to learn if we have your FAFSA and if any additional actions on your part are required.
Please note that many families have told us that they need to address a problem that occurred when their FAFSA was submitted. The federal government has not yet provided families with the ability to make corrections to their FAFSA, but you may be able to log in to see whether there are any outstanding items that will need to be addressed. Once students have been able to make corrections, we will process aid offers for those individuals as quickly as we can.
Lewis & Clark has already chosen to delay our decision reply deadline to June 1 in order to provide families a reasonable amount of time to make an informed decision. There is no need to request an extension from us. If you have been admitted to a school that has maintained a May 1 deadline, you are allowed to request an extension from them so that you can consider financial aid options from all the schools you’ve been admitted to.
  • <blockquote><p><p> My financial aid package had a very large influence on my decision to attend this school. If not for the large number of merit scholarships I received, I would not have been able to attend school here.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20469-wil-powell-ii">Wil Powell II BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Oakland, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My financial aid package was a deciding factor in my decision to attend L&C. Without it, it wouldn’t have been possible for me to attend college, and I am so grateful to my scholarship donors.</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16683-ashleen-smith">Ashleen Smith BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Madras, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> The generous financial aid package I received sealed the deal for me to choose L&C.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19658-bijou-macdonald">Bijou Macdonald BA ’21</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Broomfield, Colorado</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The financial aid package was the number one factor involved with my decision to come here.</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16648-dj-smith">DJ Smith BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Las Vegas, Nevada</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> I looked at many schools but what made Lewis & Clark stand out to me was the small class sizes, merit aid, proximity to Portland, and beautiful campus.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20400-august-van-nieuwenhuysen">August van Nieuwenhuysen BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Tustin, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lewis & Clark provided me with a substantial financial aid package, which made the decision to attend this school easier.</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16644-annabelle-rousseau">Annabelle Rousseau BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Modesto, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> The financial aid package provided by Lewis & Clark made it so that not only I could attend a college in general, but that I would be able to attend my dream college! The scholarship I received changed everything and set me on a new path.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20424-ashtyn-aponte">Ashtyn Aponte BA ’26</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Milwaukie, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The financial aid package I received made Lewis and Clark feasible. It allowed me to push myself to go out of state to a location that I knew I would thrive in.</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16643-whitney-maxfield">Whitney Maxfield BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Riverton, Utah</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My financial aid package made a college education achievable for my family and me. The generous aid I received was a motivating factor for me to attend L&C, so that I could have a wonderful education without graduating with mountains of debt.</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16650-sofia-reeves">Sofia Reeves BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Sacramento, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> I am incredibly grateful that Lewis & Clark has continued to increase my financial aid during my time here, and that they have given me extra aid when my financial circumstances changed.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16673-brenna-ketchum">Brenna Ketchum BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Fort Collins, Colorado</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The generous merit aid package that L&C offered me made me feel like the college was prepared to invest in me. So I try to make good on that investment by engaging with my classes and organizing student projects.</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/14674-mateo-kaiser">Mateo Kaiser BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Mountain View, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I received a generous financial aid package that sealed the deal. Between the colleges I was choosing from, Lewis & Clark’s offer was the best, and because I already was interested in attending, it helped me make my decision even quicker.</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16647-adam-schwarz">Adam Schwarz BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Daly City, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I wouldn’t have been able to attend school outside of my own state without federal and Lewis & Clark aid. The aid I’ve received has even made it possible for me to study abroad in Strasbourg, France.</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16200-audrey-perry">Audrey Perry BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Lincoln, Nebraska</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> The financial aid package offered by the college played a significant role in my decision, and Lewis & Clark was among the most generous schools in this regard.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/17730-hashim-salman">Hashim Salman BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Amman, Jordan</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> My financial aid package had a major influence on my decision to attend L&C. It provided me with the most affordable path toward obtaining my undergraduate degree compared to the other institutions I had gotten accepted into. </p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18357-savannah-bishop">Savannah Bishop BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Portland and Bend, Oregon; Budapest, Hungary; Accra, Ghana</span></p></blockquote>

 

Students have many opportunities to engage in experiential learning. One example is through our annual Winterim program—an imme... Students have many opportunities to engage in experiential learning. One example is through our annual Winterim program—an immersive week designed to develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills in a supportive and fun environment.

Photo credit: Nina Johnson

Costs 2024–25

  • Tuition and fees: $64,828
  • Room (double occupancy): $8,856
  • Board (14-meal flex plan): $6,792
  • Books, transportation, and personal expenses (estimate): $3,652
  • Health insurance: $3,887/year (2023-24 cost); waiver available

Types of Aid

Scholarships, grants, on-campus employment, and loans are among the ways that families finance a Lewis & Clark education.

Need-Based Scholarships and Grants

These awards—which come from Lewis & Clark, federal, or state sources—are based on financial need and the overall strength of your application. They do not require repayment upon graduation. All students who apply and qualify for need-based aid are considered for this funding source.

Merit- and Performance-Based Scholarships

We offer a variety of scholarships based on academic excellence. All applicants are automatically considered for these awards. Performance-based awards are available in entrepreneurship, speech and debate, and music.

On-Campus Student Employment

A variety of interesting jobs are available to students. Both need-based and non-need-based awards are available.

External Scholarships

Many organizations other than Lewis & Clark award scholarship funds that can be used at the school of your choice.

Federal Student Loan Programs

Many of our students and families find loans to be an important tool to help finance their education at Lewis & Clark. Federal student loans offer some advantages, including low-interest rates, deferred interest on some types of loans, and both need-based and non-need-based options.

Direct PLUS Loans

These loans are available to the parent of a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half time.

Private Loans

Private loans are designed to meet costs not covered by other forms of financial aid. Students are encouraged to pursue federal student loans (if eligible) and outside scholarships before applying for private student loans.

Helpful Tools

There’s a lot to take in when you are learning about financial aid. We have tools and resources available, and we’re here to help.

  • Student presenting at Festival of Scholars and Artists

    Net Price Calculator

    Even before you submit your forms, you can get an idea of what it might cost to attend Lewis & Clark by using our net price calculator. This tool helps you estimate what financial aid might be available.

  • Student-Faculty interaction

    Payment Plan

    We offer a payment plan that allows you to split each semester’s payment into five monthly installments, for a total of ten payments over the course of the year.

Secure Document Portals

Upload necessary documentation for your financial aid application.

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