Financial Aid > Returning Students: Renewing Financial Aid
(U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents)

Lake Forest College is committed to extending generous financial resources if you demonstrate "need."  In return, the College requires that you maintain an academic record consistent with the rules of the College (see Satisfactory Academic Progress) and complete the necessary financial aid renewal applications by the deadline. 

If you do these things and if there are no changes in your application information (income, unusual expenses, assets, family size, the number in college, etc), you can expect that your aid will continue at a level comparable to the previous year.  Changes in these areas do affect your eligibility for aid. 

Because some funds are limited, you must be sure to complete the renewal process by May 1 each year.  Students completing applications by the deadline have a better chance of receiving assistance from all sources, and a better chance of receiving comparable grant assistance.

Renew Your Aid With These Steps:

1.  Complete the Renewal FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) early enough that we receive it by May 1.  If applying online, allow one week for processing; if you apply in paper form, allow four weeks for processing.  Review the "helps page“ to guide you through the process.

2.  Pay the $20 financial aid fee by May 1.   Pay by credit card using this link or send cash or check or money order (made payable to Lake Forest College) to the Office of Financial Aid or the Office of Business Affairs.  In the memo section, please write "financial aid fee for (student name, ID#)." 

3.  New this year - optional:  Complete the Lake Forest Application for Financial Aid (LFAFA) by May 1. This application allows families to report "special circumstances" which are not taken into account on the FAFSA.  Examples include large changes in income, significant healthcare costs, educational expenses for grades K-12 as well as for parent's college tuition, and large unusual expenses.  This application requires the student's Lake Forest ID # and Lake Forest PIN, which were provided by email.   The PIN is not the same as the PIN used in the FAFSA process.

Why Apply Online?

  • much shorter processing time (3-4 days compared to a month for a paper application)
  • reduces errors
  • step-by-step instructions including the option of a live, online Chat button
  • your data is safe and secure
  • the process gets easier each year 
     

    What is a FAFSA PIN, and What Do I Do With It? 

    The U.S Department of Education issues a Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) to students and parents to use in the process of applying for financial aid.  Two PINs are needed:  one for the student and one for the parent.  The PINs allow the FAFSA to be "signed electronically."  They can also be used throughout the process to check the status of your FAFSA.  In the future they may also be used to sign for some of the federal loan programs and for some of the processes here at Lake Forest College.

    The PIN you receive is your PIN for life.  Parents who have a FAFSA PIN for a different child or in a prior academic year may use the same PIN.  Parents who have not had a PIN in the past are strongly encouraged to apply for one. 

    • Apply for a PIN now 

     


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