Costs and Financial Aid for Off-Campus Programs

Costs can vary greatly according to the program. A student receiving financial aid (scholarship, grant, loan) at Lake Forest may be able to use that aid for an off-campus program. In most cases, loans and federal and state grants are transferable to other programs.

Participants in Lake Forest College and ACM programs will pay regular Lake Forest tuition plus other program costs and personal expenses. Tuition and fees for non-Lake Forest programs vary.

All students who will be off-campus for one semester only must still pay the $200 Recreation Center fee, assessed yearly. Students who will be gone for an entire academic year will not be billed that fee. 

Billing procedures for all programs will be facilitated by Lake Forest College, allowing students who are participating in approved programs to remain enrolled at the College. Students will be billed by Lake Forest and will pay to Lake Forest the appropriate fee. Lake Forest will, in turn, pay the program sponsor. An administrative processing fee of $500 will apply to all non-Lake Forest/ACM programs.

Financial Aid

Students may carry financial aid to a TOTAL of 2 programs. Such aid is guaranteed ONLY for Lake Forest and ACM programs. Portability of eligible aid to a third-party provider—whether for a first or second semester off-campus program—is NOT guaranteed. Policies for various programs are listed below:

Lake Forest College Programs (Beijing, Border Studies, Granada, Greece, Loop, New Zealand, Paris)

ALL Lake Forest College financial aid will apply automatically with acceptance into the program.

ACM Programs

Students who successfully complete the campus application process by the stated deadline and who are accepted into an ACM program may carry all their financial aid to that program. Applicants who donot meet campus deadlines may still participate if accepted by ACM, but they may bear full financial responsibility.

Other Provider Programs

Students intending to participate in a program approved by Lake Forest College (such as Washington Semester or other programs on the “Approved List”) but sponsored by another institution may request portability of their eligible financial aid through a consortium agreement (see below). Eligibility of aid must be verified through the Financial Aid Office, and students must meet all requirements and deadlines for off-campus study. Loans and most non-Lake Forest grants and scholarships may be transferable to any approved program.

Some sponsoring institutions offer additional financial aid to students participating in their programs. Please contact the Off-Campus Programs office to pursue those possibilities.

THERE IS NO LAKE FOREST FINANCIAL AID FOR ANY SUMMER PROGRAM. Some outside providers may provide financial assistance for summer programs. Contact those sponsors directly.

Consortium Agreement

Eligible students may request a consortium agreement, enabling them to carry some or all of their other financial aid for one semester only to a College approved non-Lake Forest or non-ACM program (for example, a Washington Semester program). Consultation with the Director of Financial Aid is necessary to determine eligibility and to verify required documentation.

A limited number of consortium agreements are available each year, and application does not guarantee an approval. Recipients are selected by a campus committee. Consortium agreements are established each year for the full following academic year (whether for fall or spring participation), so late requests will not be considered. Applicants for a consortium agreement must meet all requirements for off-campus study.

Note: Students who earn transfer credit from an approved off-campus program and whose financial aid has been applied to that program may not drop—in whole or in part—any such credit without also fully reimbursing the College for all aid transferred to that program.

If you are not eligible for Lake Forest College financial aid, or if you are not awarded a consortium agreement, please visit the Off-Campus Programs Office for information about other possible resources of financial aid. 

Tuition Remission Exchange Program (TREP)

If you attend Lake Forest College under the Tuition Remission Exchange Program (ACM schools only), your full tuition benefit will apply only to participation in Lake Forest College and ACM programs.  

Other Non-LFC/ACM College Benefits

If you are a dependent of a Lake Forest College employee and believe you are eligible for other non-LFC, non-ACM benefits, please contact the Director of Financial Aid, Jerry Cebrzynski, to verify such eligibility. 

Groner Foundation Grants

Students wishing to apply for a Grace Elizabeth Groner Grant for off-campus study must apply directly through the Groner Foundation which is entirely responsible for selection of scholars. The Foundation office is located behind Calvin Durand Hall. Application for this scholarship is in addition to completing and submitting all required documents for off-campus study.