Admissions
Financial Aid > New Students
(U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents)
Most people will agree that paying for college requires a big commitment from students and parents. Our Office of Financial Aid shares in that commitment, and will be available to identify the financial aid available to you and the payment method that works best for you. We can help you locate the grants, loans, work-study and/or scholarships you qualify to receive. In short, we will guide you and your family through the process from start to finish.
If you believe that Lake Forest meets your academic needs and goals, we hope you will explore the financing options that are available to you! Once you are admitted and have completed the financial aid process we will provide you with a detailed Financial Aid Announcement. Only then can you truly make a well-informed decision about whether Lake Forest will be affordable for you and your family.
And at Lake Forest, financial aid isn't just a “one-year deal.” If you submit your applications on time and there are no significant changes (income, expenses, family size, number in college, etc.) you can expect to receive comparable levels of financial aid each year.
Applying for Need-Based Financial Aid
1. Print our Financial Aid Checklist
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
3. Complete the Lake Forest Application for Financial Aid (LFAFA)
Extras!
FAFSA and LFAFA Priority Deadlines
Submit financial aid applications by the date corresponding to the way you submitted your application for admission.
Early Action: January 31
Early Decision: February 22
Regular Decision: February 22
Transfer Students: June 15
Spring Semester: December 1
Late applications will be accepted, but the financial aid you receive from some sources may be less.
How Much Financial Aid Will I Receive?
Choosing a college is far too important a subject to rely on assumptions about (need-based) financial aid eligibility. We believe it's best not to expect to receive the same financial aid as your next door neighbor, or to assume that you will not qualify at all if your best friend's cousin didn't receive financial aid. Instead, make a well-informed decision based on information directly from the College!
After completing the steps noted above and after being offered admission to the College, you will receive a formal Financial Aid Announcement outlining your eligibility for grants, scholarships, loans and work-study. Only then will you know for sure what your family will be expected to pay.
Questions about Need-Based Financial Aid?
Mark Anderson
Associate Director of Financial Aid
847-735-5010 or 800-828-4751
anderson@lakeforest.edu - please begin the subject line with the student's name
Applying for Scholarships
If you are applying only for scholarship funds, it is not necessary to complete the FAFSA and LFAFA noted above.
Lake Forest offers Academic Scholarship and talent-based scholarships, called "Forester Scholarships". If you qualify, you may receive one of each. Academic Scholarships do not require an application; Forester Scholarships require a scholarship-specific application and one or more additional steps (audition, interview, portfolio, etc.). Want to know more? Visit our Scholarships Page.
If you receive a scholarship, grant, or other aid from a source other than the College, you must report the funds to the Office of Financial Aid. These "outside scholarships" will normally reduce the amount your family pays and the amount of any need-based grant offered by the College. Want to explore the possibilities? Visit our Outside Scholarships Page.
Questions about Scholarships?
Scholarship applications are managed by the Office of Admissions. Visit our Staff Directory to identify your admission officer.
