Financial Aid Fact Sheet

Why does Lewis & Clark award financial aid to international students?

Lewis & Clark seeks a student population which is culturally, economically, socially, and geographically diverse. By providing financial aid, Lewis & Clark assists students who might not otherwise be able to enroll.

Who receives financial aid?

  1. Approximately 95% of the undergraduate international students receive aid.
  2. Students of all nationalities are eligible for aid. No countries are exempted and no national quotas are used.
  3. New undergraduate and transfer students are eligible for aid, as are continuing international students.
  4. At Lewis & Clark most aid is need-based. Students who demonstrate financial need are eligible.
  5. A limited amount of merit-based aid is available in the form of scholarships. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit, campus/community involvement, or outstanding achievement and are available to all students. Three scholarships, the Mary Dimond, the John Baumler, and the International Student Scholarship awards are reserved for international students.
  6. Exchange students from cooperating schools receive fee waivers as set forth in letters of agreement between the schools. Awards made as part of these agreements are not part of the financial aid budget or award process.
  7. Davis United World College Scholars are eligible for special financial aid consideration.  

How much financial aid is available?

  1. More than US$ 4,000,000 in financial aid and scholarships was provided to international students for the 2021-21 academic year.
  2. In 2021-22, 92 new and continuing international students received financial aid.
  3. In 2021-22, the average award for international students was approximately $40,000 and ranged from $15,000 up to the full cost of attendance.

What is the procedure for applying for financial aid?

  1. Applicants complete the International Student Application for Financial Assistance. The form may be accompanied by financial documentation (bank statements, letters from employers, etc.) to support the application. 
  2. The deadline for financial aid is the same as the admissions application: November 1 for Early Decision and Early Action candidates and January 15, 2024 for those applying in the Regular Decision round. These applicants are notified by April 1, 2024. Transfer applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates should submit the financial aid application along with the other application documents. Awards are made for the 2024-25 academic year which begins in August 2024.

What factors are considered in determining awards for new students?

  1. Financial Need: Students must demonstrate their financial need and must submit financial aid forms and required documents. Lewis & Clark evaluates the student’s need and, if resources permit, makes an award.
  2. Admissions Rating: The Admissions Committee assigns a rating to each application as it is reviewed. The rating is based primarily on academic factors such as the quality of the applicant’s secondary school curriculum, grades, class rank, and standardized test scores. Other factors that affect ratings include recommendations, special talents, awards, leadership positions, etc. The rating affects both the chance for an award and the amount.
  3. Degree/Non-degree classification: Lewis & Clark gives a higher priority to degree-seeking students. Awards are made to non-degree students on a case-by-case basis and only when funds are available.
  4. No financial aid is available to students who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree.
  5. Loan opportunities: Lewis & Clark considers whether or not low interest loans or student aid programs are available in the student’s home country. The availability of loans will generally reduce the student’s award. Lewis & Clark does not offer a loan program for students.

How is the amount of aid determined?

Lewis & Clark College tries to formulate a fair package that will meet each student’s needs. Lewis & Clark subtracts the following from the total cost to obtain the amount of an award:

  1. Amount the college determines to be available from student/parents/sponsors
  2. Amount the student is expected to contribute through work ($2,500-3,500 maximum)
  3. Outside loans, as available

If Lewis & Clark cannot meet the difference the college informs students that their need cannot be met.

Is financial aid available to students who previously stated they had no financial need?

Students should be honest and open about their financial situation at the time of application to Lewis & Clark. Financial aid is almost never granted to students who initially enroll without benefit of aid.

  1. Awards normally continue each year until graduation as long as students meet the stated conditions. These conditions include:
    • Students must reapply by the deadline each year and demonstrate continuing need.
    • Students must be in good academic standing.
    • Students must be enrolled full-time and making normal progress toward their degree.
    • Students must demonstrate their commitment to contribute toward their education by working in legally approved on- or off-campus jobs and by earning approximately $2,000 for new students and $2,500 for continuing students each academic year.
    • Students must submit all financial documents requested by Lewis & Clark
  2. Students entering as freshmen are eligible for up to eight semesters (four years) of financial aid.
  3. Students who receive advanced placement or transfer credits are awarded a pro-rated number of semesters of aid. For example, a student who enters Lewis & Clark as a junior is eligible for four semesters of financial aid. A student who enters as a second semester freshman is eligible for seven semesters of aid.

Will the award vary from year to year?

The amount of a financial aid award normally does not change from year to year. Only rarely does Lewis & Clark decrease an award—such as when fraud is involved, when upward adjustments in income from home are reported, when there is evidence that there is less need than stated, or when students do not work. Lewis & Clark occasionally makes small upward adjustments in awards on a case-by-case basis (for hospitalization, documented family crisis, etc.). Upward adjustments are not made for tuition increases, withdrawal of a sponsor’s commitment, marriages, or pursuit of degrees by other family members.

What factors are considered in determining awards for continuing students?

  1. Continuing Financial Need: Students must continue to demonstrate need by resubmitting the required financial documents each year. Awards normally continue from year to year, as long as the student’s financial situation does not change dramatically.
  2. Compliance with requirements: For aid to continue, students must agree to: (1) maintain good academic standing, (2) enroll full time, (3) make satisfactory progress toward graduation, (4) demonstrate their commitment to contribute to their education by earning approximately $2,000 for new students and $2,500 for continuing students each year in approved work, and (5) submit all financial documents requested by Lewis & Clark.
  3. Work on or off campus: Recipients are expected to earn approximately $2,500 for new students and $3,500 for continuing students per year while enrolled at Lewis & Clark. This requirement not only helps a student demonstrate need, but it also provides additional funds for education. International students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during vacation periods. Students cannot work off campus during their first year of study in the U.S. and must get permission from U.S. Department of Homeland Security for all off-campus work.

Other Working Principles

  • Financial aid awards are based on the following priority—from highest to lowest priority: (1) continuing students; (2) new first-year, degree-seeking students, (3) new students with transfer credit, (4) non-degree seeking students.
  • Students are limited to two semesters of aid per year, normally fall and spring. Students may petition for a summer award, but it is a pro-rated amount and counts as one of the two semesters of aid for the year.
  • Students may apply their awards toward Lewis & Clark overseas programs.
  • Lewis & Clark does not usually grant significant increases in aid after students enroll.
  • Increases in awards are made on a case-by-case basis, and are not determined by the amount of tuition increase.
  • Lewis & Clark does not provide loans to students.
  • Fraudulent documentation can result in suspension of financial aid awards.
  • Lewis & Clark reserves the right to request and examine any records that pertain to a student’s finances. This may include, but is not limited to bank statements, credit card records, payment records, and tax records.

Submit forms and inquiries to:

Office of Admissions
Lewis & Clark College
615 SW Palatine Hill Road
Portland, OR 97219
USA

Email: admissions@lclark.edu