If you are applying for federal financial aid, it’s very important that you follow these step-by-step instructions starting the January before the fall term you plan to attend. Please note that except for the financial clearance and payment deadlines, these instructions are not relevant for international students, and that dates may vary for other cohort or off-campus programs such as Criminal Justice.

January - The "Planning" month

• Meet with your Financial Aid Counselor to start reviewing your financial arrangements for the following school year.
• If there are any special family circumstances for us to consider, send a letter of explanation and documentation to the office of Student Financial Services.

February - the "California submission" month

• If you live in California (went to a California high school) and have not submitted the FAFSA, do so now online. This is your last chance to submit the FAFSA to the federal processor (by March 2) to be considered for all types of campus-based funds.
• Cal Grant or APLE recipients: By February 25, submit the following to the registrar’s office:
  • Your Cal Grant GPA verification form if you’re an undergraduate student
  • Your test scores if you’re a graduate student
• You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) by e-mail within 1 week after submitting the FAFSA. Check the SAR carefully.
• All missing paperwork for the current Winter quarter must be submitted by the 8th week of the quarter in order for your aid to be processed.

March - The "priority deadline" month

• California residents: Meet the March 2 FAFSA submission deadline for the Cal Grant/APLE.
• Complete your financial aid file by submitting all requested documents.
• Financial Clearance deadline for Spring Quarter is on the 10th.

April/May/June - the "finalizing arrangements" months

• Still missing paperwork for Spring quarter? The deadline to submit all financial paperwork and still get aid for the current quarter will always be on the 8th week of the quarter.
• Notify the office of Student Financial Services of any external scholarships you have been awarded for next school year. This information is important for finalizing your financial aid package.
• If you haven’t done so already, complete your financial aid file by submitting all requested documents.
• Before Spring quarter is over, make an appointment with your Financial Aid Counselor to finalize your financial plan for next school year.

July - the "financial clearance" month

• Before they're all full, register online for your Fall classes.
• Set up a monthly payment plan. The first payment of the school year is due by September 10.
• If awarded Federal Work Study (FWS), obtain the FWS authorization form from the office of Human Resources and begin looking for a work study job.
• By July 31, make sure you have obtained financial clearance and the only thing left to do is make your September 10 payment.

August - the "rush" month

• If you submitted all of your paperwork, received an estimate from your Financial Aid Counselor, and you were awarded and accept the Federal Subsidized, Unsubsidized, or PLUS Loans, complete the loan application(s) online.
• This is the final month before school starts to update SFS on changes in financial aid (for example, if you've recently been awarded a new scholarship...), changes to your registration or housing plans for the school year, and getting the "green light" from SFS.
• Criminal Justice students who choose to pay monthly, must sign up for a payment plan and make the 1st payment by August 10.

September - the "last chance" month

• If you haven’t done so already, complete the Fall Quarter registration process by making your Fall financial clearance payment by the September 10 deadline. Commitment scholarships will be honored for quarter or yearly payments made by September 10. 
• If you are on the tuition payment plan, your first tuition payment will be due by September 10. Call or email Student Financial Services at sfs@lasierra.edu for further information.
• With everyone returning to campus, job posts are filling up fast! Secure a work study or other student employment position with the Human Resources department.
• Newly Accepted Students: If you are receiving a Federal Direct Loan, complete you master promissory note online at https://studentaid.gov/ . 
• Not coming to La Sierra after all? Make sure you drop your classes BEFORE school starts to receive a full tuition refund.

October/November/December - The "preparing for winter" months

• File your FAFSA for the following school year after October 1. To note: The 2024-2025 FAFSA will be available in December 2023. 
• The deadline to submit all financial aid paperwork and still get aid for the current quarter will always be on the 8th week of the quarter.
• Register for Winter Quarter
• Payment due date for Winter Quarter is December 10.