Admissions
Financial Aid for International Students
This page will provide the information you will need if you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States. If you have dual citizenship with the U.S. and another country, you must follow the financial aid process for
Note that all figures on this site are reported in U.S. dollars.
Most people will agree that paying for a college education requires a significant commitment from students and parents. Our Office of Financial Aid shares in that commitment with you, by guiding you and your family through the process of applying for financial aid, and helping to identify the method of payment that will work best for you.
Lake Forest College is also committed to providing generous assistance to you, if your family is unable to pay the full cost of a college education. If you qualify, we will provide financial help in the form of grants, scholarships and a campus job. The maximum grant/scholarship total for the 2008-2009 academic year will be $21,000. A limited number of International Trustee Scholarships of $22,500 will also be offered. Full-tuition Trustee Scholarships are no longer offered.
You can expect to receive similar aid each year you are here, if your academic performance is consistent with the standards of the College.
Types of Financial Aid
Scholarships from the College are awarded based on academic achievement, as well as demonstrated dedication to the arts, sciences, and community. Scholarship candidates may pursue one academic scholarship and one Forester (talent-based) Scholarship. All are renewable, based on specific college GPA or participation requirements. The scholarship application process is handled by our Office of Admission. More information.
Grants from the College are based on financial need and do not have to be repaid. If you receive a grant your first year, you can expect that grant to continue (without an additional application) each year you are here.
Loans are available to many international students as well. If you are Canadian, you are encouraged to contact the Student Financial Assistance branch of your provincial government to see if they offer a program for students. If you have a credit-worthy co-signor who is a
Work-Study is an opportunity to work part-time on campus. It is normally offered if you show financial need and have proper visa status. While students with F-1 status may work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session, most students work 8-12 hours per week. You are paid on an hourly basis, and a check is given to you every two weeks for the hours you worked. While we do not guarantee that you will be assigned to a job or earn the full award, most students are offered up to $2000 in work-study funds. If you are offered work-study, you must complete a work-study application. More information.
Applying for Financial Aid
To apply for a Forester Scholarship you must complete the appropriate scholarship application. You may apply for one Forester Scholarship. You must complete the application for admission before applying for any scholarship. The priority application deadline is February 15.
To apply for a grant or work-study, you must complete the Lake Forest International Student Application for Financial Aid (web app or .pdf app) or the College Board’s International Student Financial Aid Application. The priority application deadline is February 22.
More About the Application Process
If we have received your application(s) for financial aid and/or scholarship by the time you are admitted to the College, you will receive a Financial Aid Announcement with your letter of admission. This Announcement will identify the grant, scholarship and work-study funds you qualify to receive. If you complete a scholarship application after being offered a grant from the College, the scholarship will replace the grant.
If you accept the College's offer of admission, you must also complete a "Certification of Finances" form, which is provided by the Office of Admissions at the time of your admission.
If "work-study" appears on your Financial Aid Announcement, a work-study application will be available to you (online) in May, and must be completed by July 1.
