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FAFSA Process

The FAFSA is used by U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply for need-based aid (grants, loans, work-study) from College, state and federal sources.

Our Federal School Code is 001706.

Fall 2023 Process

Step 1. Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA ("Free Application for Federal Student Aid") ... available now!

  • The FAFSA is not required if you are applying  only for scholarships .
  • Review our “ Helpful Tools” section below.
  • Both student and parent apply for an FSA ID (federal student aid)  which is a username and password the student and parent creates for him/herself.    See the “how to” video clipA common problem is not remembering your username and/or password, so keep this in a safe place you can easily find while at home, school, or work. 
  • Questions with  “you” or “your” always refer to the student applying for financial aid.
  • Do not leave any question blank unless told to do so. If you have nothing to report for a financial question, enter $0.    
  • Step 5, Financial Information tends to have more questions and/or errors, so review this IRS DRT  info first. 
  • The 2023-2024 FAFSA asks for 2021 income values. If your (or your parent's) 2023 income will be significantly less, contact our office for guidance.
  • Once you have completed and signed the application, you must click “Submit My FAFSA Now.” If you do not see a confirmation page, your FAFSA has not been submitted.
  • FAFSA Notes:
    • The web address is  www.fafsa.gov.
    • Our Federal School Code is  001706.
    • Add Lake Forest to your existing FAFSA (click here)
    • Applications received late will be accepted, but available funding may be affected.

Step 2. (Optional) Complete applicable " Special Circumstance Forms" for the correct academic year

If you believe the FAFSA does not give an accurate picture of your family's financial situation, review the "special circumstance forms" and submit all that are applicable. Feel free to contact our office to determine if they will affect your financial aid eligibility.


    Step 3. Complete other required forms
    , if directed to do so. 

    Fall 2023 Priority Deadlines

    The 2023-2024 FAFSA is now available, and should be submitted by December 1, if at all possible. We will gladly accept applications after this date. If you are an Illinois resident, we strongly encourage its early completion.

    Spring 2023 Process

    Step 1. Complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA ("Free Application for Federal Student Aid")

    • The FAFSA is not required if you are applying  only for scholarships .
    • Review our “ Helpful Tools” section below.
    • Both student and parent apply for an FSA ID (federal student aid)  which is a username and password the student and parent creates for him/herself.    See the “how to” video clipA common problem is not remembering your username and/or password, so keep this in a safe place you can easily find while at home, school, or work. 
    • Questions with  “you” or “your” always refer to the student applying for financial aid.
    • Do not leave any question blank unless told to do so. If you have nothing to report for a financial question, enter $0.    
    • Step 5, Financial Information tends to have more questions and/or errors, so review this IRS DRT  info first. 
    • The 2022-2023 FAFSA asks for 2020 income values. If your current income is significantly less, contact our office for guidance.
    • Once you have completed and signed the application, you must click “Submit My FAFSA Now.” If you do not see a confirmation page, your FAFSA has not been submitted.
    • FAFSA Notes:
      • The web address is  www.fafsa.gov.
      • Our Federal School Code is  001706.
      • Add Lake Forest to your existing FAFSA (click here)
      • Applications received late will be accepted, but available funding may be affected.


    Step 2. (Optional) Complete applicable " Special Circumstance Forms" for the correct academic year

    If you believe the FAFSA does not give an accurate picture of your family's financial situation, review the "special circumstance forms" and submit all that are applicable. Feel free to contact our office to determine if they will affect your financial aid eligibility.


    Step 3. Complete other required forms
    , if directed to do so. 

    Details of additional documents may be included within your Award Letter, your student portal, or my.lakeforest.edu.

    Spring 2023 Priority Deadlines

    Complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA and any other forms by December 1 if possible.

    Late applications will be accepted.

    Students entering in January should also plan to submit the 2023-2024 FAFSA as soon as possible, for the Fall 2023.

    What Happens Next
    • The federal student aid processing center will send an email confirming that your FAFSA was received, and then, a few days later, an email will tell you that your FAFSA has been processed. The second email will provide a link to a Student Aid Report or “SAR” which summarizes your application. Review this for accuracy and make any necessary corrections. 
    • Did you (or your parent) not sign the FAFSA? Click here
    • Create a file folder to keep all financial aid documents (ID #s, FSA IDs, confirmation pages, SAR, etc.).
    • Our office will receive your FAFSA results within seven days of being processed.
    • If the initial FAFSA you submitted included estimated values, correct those values after your / your parents’ tax return is completed (see “Data Retrieval Tool” under Helpful Tools in the right column).
    • If you have been admitted to the College, we will prepare an Award Letter showing all financial aid you qualify to receive. This is sent by email to you and your parent, and -at a later time- by regular mail. Be sure to review important details on the page “How to Read Your Award Letter.
    • Provide any documentation we require, listed in Part 4 (pg 2) of the award letter. Many are found here. Most can be scanned/emailed, faxed or mailed. See “Contact” in the column on the right.
    • Watch a video summary of “what happens next.”

    We recommend you complete the FAFSA...

    • if cost will be factor in your enrollment
    • even if you do not think you will qualify
    • even if you have not yet applied or been admitted to a College
    • even if you have not completed the tax return that is used (ex: 2020 used on the 2022-23 FAFSA)

    Helpful Tools

    Need More Help ?

    • Illinois Residents: 2022-23 FAFSA Completion Events 
    • ISACorps, for Illinois residents
    • Help in Spanish
    • Use the online help within each page of the FAFSA
    • Call the Federal Student Aid Info Center 800-433-3243 / 319-337-5665
    • Call the Office of Financial Aid at 847-735-5010  or  -5103

    Contact Financial Aid

    Phone and Fax

    847-735-5103
    finaid@lakeforest.edu

    Location

    Patterson Lodge, 2nd Floor
    Middle Campus, Map

    Hours

    Monday-Friday
    8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    FINANCIAL AID STAFF

    Jerry Cebrzynski
    Associate Vice President for Financial Aid
    847-735-5104
    cebrzynski@lakeforest.edu

    Mark Anderson
    Associate Director
    847-735-5010
    anderson@lakeforest.edu

    Adriana Rodriguez
    Associate Director for Financial Aid Operations
    VA Certifying Official
    847-735-5015
    rodriguez@lakeforest.edu

    Si necesita hablar con alguien en español en la oficina de ayuda financiera, usted puede llamar a Adriana Rodriguez.