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Financial Aid How to Apply

The most important process in applying for financial aid is filing the "Free Application For Federal Student Aid", (FAFSA) application. The U.S. Department of Education has posted the application online, which allows you to apply for federal student aid electronically from your home computer or from a computer at a central location such as a high school, post secondary school, public library, or local college or university.

Applying early is key to ensuring that you receive the most financial aid you are eligible for. We encourage all students to file their FAFSA as soon as it's available for the school year the student will be attending.

Information 2024-25 Update

Exciting Update! In response to the recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Education regarding the delayed receipt of 2024-2025 FAFSA applicant information, La Sierra University has adjusted its priority FAFSA filing deadline to April 2, 2024. While we anticipate receiving your FAFSA information in late March, we want to empower you to take action now. We encourage you to complete your FAFSA as soon as possible. By providing us with your Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA, we can offer you an estimate to help you plan ahead. Your proactive approach ensures that we can still provide you with timely support and assistance, even amidst these adjustments. Thank you for partnering with us in your educational journey at La Sierra University!

Instructions for FAFSA application

Start by completing the FAFSA on the Web.

  1. The FAFSA application process is FREE. Make sure you submit your application on the government's website: WWW.STUDENTAID.GOV , and not on any other websites ending in .ORG or .COM.
  2. Save a copy of your completed FAFSA and contact us with your SAI so that we can prepare an estimate for you.
  • Financial aid awards are made for one year at a time. Remember to reapply each year, before the priority filing deadline.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for any form of federal or state, and certain institutional financial aid, you must fulfill the following requirements:

  • You must be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  • You must have a valid social security number.
  • You must be admitted into a degree-seeking program. (You may apply for aid before you are admitted but you must be admitted before aid can be disbursed to you.)
  • To retain eligibility you must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
  • To receive most types of aid at La Sierra, you must be at least a half-time student. If you plan to drop credits, you must contact your financial aid counselor, since your aid may be subject to reduction or cancellation.

Renewal FAFSA Application

Your FAFSA conveniently saves your demographic and personal information so that you do not need to re-enter it every year. Go to the FAFSA Website to begin your renewal FAFSA.

Within 1 week after you submit your FAFSA, you should receive a Student Aid Report, (SAR) . The SAR is e-mailed to the e-mail address you provided on your FAFSA.

The term "Expected Family Contribution (EFC)" will now be known as the Student Aid Index (SAI), based on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

If all your data is complete and correct your Student Aid Report (SAR) will include a SAI. Your SAI is calculated based on a formula established by Congress. This is the index that is used to establish your eligibility for many types of need based aid (Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, etc.).

Docs & Forms

Download and print forms necessary for financial aid and services.
Missing paperwork?

Contact Info

sfs@lasierra.edu
951-785-2175
951-785-2942 (Fax)

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., CLOSED for lunch (12-1pm)
Friday:
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

During the school year, all service offices close on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for University Worship.

Office Location

Administration Building, Room 101.

Connect with us

SFS Social Media @lasierrasfs

Financial Aid Timeline / Checklist

January

  • Make sure you've applied to La Sierra, and completed your FAFSA (La Sierra’s FAFSA code is 001215).
  • La Sierra’s early admissions acceptance begins.

February

  • Attend a FAFSA & Scholarship Workshop (dates/times on OrgSync & School Calendar).
  • Submit Cal Grant GPA verification (due March 2).
  • Reserve a spot in the summer freshmen orientation program.
  • Apply for scholarships.
  • Current students only: apply for endowed scholarships through the Advancement office.

March

  • File taxes as early as possible. Recommend e-filing.
  • Track your Cal Grant application status at www.calgrants.org .
  • Schedule an appointment for a financial estimate with a La Sierra University enrollment counselor.

April

  • Watch for your La Sierra award notification letter from the office of Student Financial Services.

May

  • Turn in all documents requested by La Sierra’s Student Financial Services to complete your financial aid file by May 20.

June-August

  • Complete any paperwork necessary for your student loans to be processed.
  • Finalize your payment plan with La Sierra’s Student Financial Services.

September

  • Make your first payment by September 10.
  • Buy your books before classes begin.

October

  • File your FAFSA for next year.
 

Useful webpages:

Useful Phone Numbers:

  • FAFSA: 1-800-4-FEDAID
  • Cal Grant: 1-888-CA-GRANT
  • IRS Transcript: 1-800-829-3676
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