Application Process - First Year & Transfer Students

As an incoming student in the academic year 2010-2011, 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. Complete the 2010-11 FAFSA with the federal processor no later than February 15, 2010, to receive priority consideration for aid. The FAFSA is available online beginning January 1, 2010 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.
3. Complete the 2010-11 CSS Profile no later than February 15, 2010. The CSS Profile is available online beginning October 2009 at https://profileonline.collegeboard.com. Be sure to have your Profile form sent to Lewis & Clark College (CSS ID# 4384).

Note: You should file the FAFSA and CSS Profile with estimated income information if necessary, rather than risk missing the priority date of February 15th.

Merit Based Scholarships

Lewis & Clark offers a number of merit-based scholarships for incoming students whose admissions application demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and/or outstanding contributions to the community. These scholarships may be renewed based on continued academic achievement.

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 February 15th, 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 based on funding levels at the time of review.
4. If there is any information submitted on the financial aid application forms that you feel needs further explanation, please submit written clarification directly to the Office of Student Financial Services - 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 delay our ability to provide you with an offer of financial assistance.

Once we receive your FAFSA and Profile and you are admitted to Lewis & Clark, the Office of Student Financial Services will send you an Award Notification. 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 unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan in addition to any merit-based scholarships awarded through the Office of Admissions.

You will be asked to review the Financial Aid Guide that accompanies the Award Notification and take the additional steps to secure the loan funds and/or work study funding offered to you on the Award Notification. We assume you will accept all grant and scholarship aid offered to you.

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 from the Office of Admissions.