International Student Financial Aid and Scholarships

Lake Forest College’s Office of Admissions follows need-aware admissions practices when reviewing applications of international students. International students offered admission may receive a merit-based award of up to $34,000 per year. You may receive additional funds by applying for need-based financial aid and/or a Fine Arts Scholarship.

Fine Art Scholarships

Lake Forest College offers talent-based scholarships in music, studio art, and theater. Scholarships require an application for admission, the scholarship application, and either an audition for music and theater, or portfolio review for studio art. The application deadline is February 15. Scholarships are available to both majors and non-majors.

Fine Arts Scholarship Form

Priority Deadlines

• Early Action I & Early Decision I - November 1
• Early Action II & Early Decision II - January 15
• Regular Decision -  February 15
• Transfer Spring - January 1
• Transfer Fall - August 1

To apply for need-based aid, students must complete The College Board’s International Student Financial Aid PROFILE. 

Our CSS Code is 1392.  

You are strongly encouraged to complete the PROFILE at the time of application for admission.

Students from Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria are not allowed to complete the CSS Profile. Please contact Molly Noyed for alternative methods.

Students living in Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo are not allowed to use a credit card for payment of the CSS profile. Please contact Molly Noyed for assistance.

The maximum total amount of need-based grant and scholarship funds (combined) an individual student may receive for the 2023–2024 academic year is approximately $40,000. Those who are eligible for Work-Study (part-time job on campus) may receive up to $2000, though job placement / earnings are not guaranteed.

You can expect to receive a similar amount of financial assistance from us each year if your academic performance is consistent with the standards of the College. An annual application is not required.

Other sources of scholarships and grants include Peterson’s, MALDEF (students from Mexico) and our Outside Scholarships page.

Loans may be available if you have a credit-worthy co-signor who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Visit our Private Loan page or contact Adriana Rodriguez for recommendations. 

Canadian students are encouraged to contact the Student Financial Assistance branch of your provincial government for possible loans.

Students from Latin America and the Caribbean should investigate the interest-free loan provided by the Leo Rowe Pan American Fund.

Work-Study (a part-time job on campus) may be offered if you show financial need and have proper visa status (F-1). In most cases the amount offered is up to $2,000 per year, though this is not guaranteed.