HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

• You can apply for aid on-line at FAFSA on the Web or you can apply by picking up our financial aid packet, which includes the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

WHAT IS THE LA SIERRA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL CODE?

• The LSU School Code is: 001215

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?

• It takes 4-6 weeks for U.S. mail or 2-4 weeks for online applications. You should apply as early as possible. (January 1st through March 2nd, prior to the following Fall term) Some program funds are limited and awarded on a "first-come-first-served" basis.

HOW WILL I KNOW HOW MUCH AID I QUALIFY FOR?

• An award letter stating the type of aid, amount and conditions of your award will be mailed to you. You must review your award letter and if you find any discrepancies with your estimate, please contact the Student Financial Services Office as soon as possible.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DECIDE TO ATTEND PART-TIME?

• Your aid may be reduced or canceled in some cases in order to comply with regulations or eligibility requirements.

WHAT IS AN ESTIMATE, AND HOW DO I GET ONE?

• LSU Enrollment Services (Recruitment) will provide all new students with a preliminary estimate of the financial aid awards that they may receive. Estimates are based upon information supplied to the Enrollment Services staff by the student or student's family. Verification of the student's information may modify the actual amounts provided in the student's official aid offer from LSU Student Financial Services.

I WAS AWARDED A FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN BUT I WANT TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT, HOW CAN I DO THAT?

• Contact your Financial Aid Counselor in the office of Student Financial Services.

WHAT IF I NEED TO TAKE SOME OR ALL OF MY CLASSES AT ANOTHER SCHOOL?

• You can only receive financial aid from the school in which you are accepted and enrolled in a program. As long as you are degree seeking at LSU and the classes will be credited toward your LSU degree, you may be eligible to receive assistance. Contact the LSU Student Financial Services office to see which forms you must complete and for which programs you may qualify.

WHAT IF I COMPLETELY WITHDRAW FROM CLASSES, WILL I HAVE TO REPAY MY FINANCIAL AID?

• Yes, if you withdraw before 60% of the term is completed, you will be required to repay a percentage of the aid you received since the funds were awarded to meet educational expenses for the entire quarter.

HOW WILL MY FEES BE PAID AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MONEY THAT EXCEEDS MY FEES?

• Approximately 3 weeks (5 weeks for first-time borrowers) after school starts your aid will be applied to your tuition. Any remaining credit will be mailed by the Bursar's office to your local address on file at the Registrar's office.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE BEEN AWARDED A LOAN, BUT NEVER RECEIVED A PROMISSORY NOTE IN THE MAIL?

• If you have received a loan in the past, you may not need to complete another promissory note. Contact your lender to be sure all paperwork is in order. Your loan will be on hold until funds are ready to be disbursed, about 3 weeks after school starts.

WHO ARE THE LA SIERRA UNIVERSITY PREFERRED LENDERS?

• Please refer to our Preferred Lenders List at https://www.elmselect.com/oll/SchoolLenderList/?schoolId=8376

HOW CAN I GET INFORMATION ABOUT MY AWARD?

• You can call, email, or come to the Student Financial Services office to get the information.

DO I NEED TO BE ADMITTED BEFORE I CAN APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

• No, but you must be admitted before you can receive your award letter or financial aid.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH OFFICES TO DEAL WITH?

• The Office of Student Financial Services is responsible for advising applicants about financial aid; collecting all required paperwork; determining estimated family contributions; and awarding all financial aid except leadership/merit type scholarships (which are awarded by the Office of Enrollment Services). The Office of Student Financial Services is the central processing office for the FAFSA, and all financial aid, including government grants and loans, outside resources, and La Sierra University aid.
  
  
• The Office of Student Financial Services establishes your total payment package. After you have received all the financial aid, grants, and scholarships available from the Financial Aid and Enrollment Services offices, you will receive financial clearance and establish a payment plan with Student Financial Services.

ARE DEADLINES IMPORTANT?

• Yes! Deadlines are critical. March 2 is the priority deadline. For example: a qualifying California resident will lose the Cal Grant (over $8,322) if they miss this deadline. There may still be other money available later, but many funds are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis; consequently, early application is encouraged.

MY FAMILY INCOME HAS CHANGED SINCE I FILED MY FAFSA. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

• Submit a request for professional judgment to a counselor at the Student Financial Services Office. You will be asked to submit written documentation of the change. After a review of your request, you may be awarded additional assistance.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED IN CALCULATING HOW MUCH MY FAMILY CAN AFFORD TO CONTRIBUTE?

• It's a complex calculation which takes into account a variety of factors including family income and size, total assets, parents' age (and their need to save for retirement) and the number of family members in college.
  
  
• If the information on the FAFSA does not accurately reflect your ability to pay for college, or your family has extenuating financial circumstances, you should contact your student financial services counselor if you have any questions.

THE FAFSA ASKS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MY PARENTS BUT I DO NOT RECEIVE ANY SUPPORT FROM THEM. WHAT DO I DO?

• Federal regulations require your eligibility to be based on your income and that of your parents' unless you are 24 years old; married, or have legal dependents other than a spouse; are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces; an orphan or ward of the court (or you were until age 18); or will be working on a degree beyond a bachelor's. if you think that you have exceptional circumstances contact your LSU Student Services counselor about a possible dependency override.

WHAT DETERMINES HOW MUCH I'LL BE OFFERED, AND WHETHER I'LL GET LOANS, GRANTS, OR WORK?

• The amount of your award is determined by the amount of your financial need and available funding. The greater your need, the more aid we can offer you. The kind of aid you are awarded depends on your eligibility for the various aid programs. Each has its own requirements. Most students are offered a combination of gift assistance (grants and scholarships which don't have to be repaid) and "self-help" aid (loans and/or work opportunities).

WHAT IS AN ENTRANCE INTERVIEW?

• All borrowers receiving a Perkins Loan, or a Federal Stafford Loan and/or a Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan for the first time must attend an Entrance Interview before their first check can be disbursed. If this is your first Stafford Loan, you may complete the interview online at mappingyourfuture.org. Then choose Complete Online Student Loan Counseling. If this is a Perkins Loan, please call (951) 785-2238 to schedule an entrance interview.