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.
Financial Aid Award Information for Early Decision and Early Action Students
Due to this year’s delayed FAFSA timeline, we are using the CSS Profile to provide financial aid award information to Early Decision and Early Action students who are applying for need-based aid. The CSS Profile is required for Early Decision students and recommended for Early Action students. You will still need to file the FAFSA in order to receive your official financial aid offer.
Lewis & Clark’s school code for the CSS Profile is 4384.
Note: At this time, only Early Decision and Early Action students should complete the CSS Profile. Regular Decision students should file the FAFSA once it becomes available, and international students should complete the International Student Application for Financial Assistance.
Deadline
In order to give you your financial aid award information at the same time as your admissions decision, please complete the CSS Profile by our priority deadline of November 1, 2024.
Fee Waiver
We will provide a fee waiver to everyone submitting the CSS Profile who has already applied to Lewis & Clark Early Action or Early Decision. Please contact the Admissions office (admissions@lclark.edu) for your unique code.
You may begin filling out the Profile prior to receiving your fee waiver, but do not submit the completed form until you have the code. If you submit your profile without using your unique code, you will be charged and we cannot reimburse you.
Get Started With the FAFSA
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 2025-26 school year starting in December 2024.
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.
- <blockquote> <p> <p> The scholarships and financial aid I was offered made it possible for me to choose Lewis & Clark.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19828-sophie-vigeant">Sophie Vigeant BA ’19</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Tomales, California</span> </p> </blockquote>
- <blockquote> <p> <p> My financial aid package cemented my decision to study at Lewis & Clark; it allowed me to pursue a quality liberal arts education without worrying about affordability.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/21569-piper-mccoy-harmon">Piper McCoy Harmon BA ’26</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Portland, Oregon</span> </p> </blockquote>
- <blockquote> <p> <p> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The generous merit-based awards and need-based financial aid at L&C were a significant reason for my pursuit of higher education at this fine academic institute.</span> </p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16674-leo-mcnaughton">Leo McNaughton BA ’24</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Milwaukie, Oregon</span> </p> </blockquote>
- <blockquote> <p> <p> I was able to attend L&C thanks to my financial aid package.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/17729-luz-vazquez">Luz Vazquez BA ’25</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">San Francisco, California</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> 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;">Attending Lewis & Clark without financial aid was basically impossible for me. When I saw how much aid the school was offering to me, I actually cried tears of happiness. Simply put, my financial aid was the final deciding factor of whether or not I said yes to L&C.</span> </p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16677-erika-hutchinson">Erika Hutchinson BA ’22</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Fort Collins, Colorado</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> My financial aid package made me know that Lewis & Clark valued me as an academic, as a musician, and as a person.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/21549-whitney-schilling">Whitney Schilling BA ’27</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Vancouver, Washington</span> </p> </blockquote>
- <blockquote> <p> <p> The generous financial aid and accepting inclusive culture made me want to come to Lewis & Clark.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20425-christi-san-diego">Christi San Diego BA ’27</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Gypsum, Colorado</span> </p> </blockquote>
- <blockquote> <p> <p> The financial aid package I received was a true blessing and overall was one of the reasons why my parents and I decided Lewis & Clark was the best fit for me.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/21527-taj-jamaal-muhammad">Taj-Jamaal “TJ” Muhammad BA ’26</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Inglewood, California</span> </p> </blockquote>
- <blockquote> <p> <p> I felt that I could not pass up the opportunity to attend a reputable college that was willing to support my goals and future. My award knocked all other prospective colleges off of my list. I am forever grateful for the financial aid that I have received as it has changed my life in remarkable ways.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20471-jade-valdez">Jade Valdez BA ’25</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Woods Cross, Utah</span> </p> </blockquote>
- <blockquote> <p> <p> <span style="font-weight: 400;">I was nervous that the high tuition of a private liberal arts college would prevent me from attending one, but my generous financial aid package from L&C made the choice to go here even easier.</span> </p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16679-emily-larabee">Emily Larabee BA ’25</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Anchorage, Alaska</span> </p> </blockquote>
- <blockquote> <p> <p> I remember crying in a shopping mall when I first heard about my financial package and realized that I’d have the opportunity to go here, and I’ve been super grateful for it ever since!</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/21524-cleo-lockhart">Cleo Lockhart BA ’25</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Denver, Colorado</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>
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.
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.
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.
Financial Aid is located in Fowler Student Center on the Undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 56
email fao@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-7090
fax 503-768-7074
Document Submission Portals:
New Undergraduate Students
All Other Students
Associate Vice President Anastacia Dillon
Financial Aid
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road
Portland OR 97219