Lewis University | Financial Aid | How to Apply for Financial Aid

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Dear Student,

Please do not forget this is the time to renew your FAFSA for the 2024-2025 academic year. The Department of Education recently launched a new FAFSA form which could present challenges for some student submissions. In addition, the changes are causing considerable delays getting the data to institutions. Despite the processing delays, I want to reassure you that Lewis University is committed to providing your comprehensive financial aid award for the 2024-25 school year as soon as possible once we receive the federal data.

In addition, here are a few ways Lewis University is prepared to help you during this time:

  1. FAFSA deadlines. Similar to past years, we strongly encourage students to renew their FAFSA and include Lewis University (code 001707) as early as possible, but no later than August 1. All students will be considered for financial aid regardless of the submission date.
  2. Resources for parents without a social security number. For parents who are unable to create an FAFSA ID due to not having a social security number, here is a document to assist you through the process. (English | Español)
  3. As soon as we receive FAFSA submissions from the Department of Education (currently scheduled for mid-March) our team will work quickly to complete your Financial Aid Award which will be viewable in the myLewis portal.
  4. Individual financial aid advising. Once your 2024-25 awards are released, our counselors will be available by appointment if you have any questions or concerns. The Office of Financial Aid Services is available Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Learning Resource Center on the First Floor. The office is also available through email finaid@lewisu.edu or phone (815) 836-5263.

We will continue to monitor the updates from the Department of Education and adjust as necessary. We will also continue to update our How to Apply for Aid webpage with resources to help you through the process.

Sincerely,
Ashley Skidmore
Vice President for Enrollment Management
skidmoas@lewisu.edu



The “FAFSA Simplification Act” simplified the process and reduced the number of questions required for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  While the FAFSA is available for completion, colleges and universities will not receive the completed FAFSA’s until late January. In addition, you will  not be able to make changes to your FAFSA early February.

STEP ONE

Submit your Application for Admission to Lewis University and be accepted to a degree seeking program of study.

STEP TWO

Obtain your FSA ID number at https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm - The FSA ID is required of both the student, spouse (if student is married), and parents to login and complete a FAFSA. The FSA ID is verification of your identity and acts as your signature when you complete the FAFSA.

STEP THREE

  • Complete the FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov - Lewis University's School Code is 001707.
  • The U.S. Department of Education will process your FAFSA and e-mail your results to the email address listed for the student on the FAFSA.
  • For the 2024-25 academic year the FAFSA is available December 31 and will use the 2022 Federal Income Tax information (prior-prior year).
  • Your FSA ID will link automatically with the IRS to bring in your federal tax information
  • Consent is required from student, spouse (if applicable) and/or parent(s) to link to the IRS for their tax information.  If consent is not provided a student is not eligible for financial aid.

STEP FOUR

  • If you are selected for verification, additional documentation will be requested.  Examples of additional documentation could include student or parent federal taxes, federal w-2’s, child support, untaxed income, etc.  This is not an exhaustive list but just some examples. Students can also upload documentation to the Financial Aid Office directly to their myLewis portal
  • Your financial aid application will be incomplete until all requested verification documents have been submitted.
  • Please note: do not email documents with personal identifiable information for security purposes.

STEP FIVE

  • A Financial Aid Award Offer will be sent to the student. The award letter outlines all financial aid, for which the student is eligible during the academic year.

STEP SIX

  • After receiving your Financial Aid Award Offer, you must:
    • Accept your Financial Aid Award Offer online at myLewis.  The Award Letter Guide is available in a pdf under the Forms section of the Financial Aid site.
    • Complete the Entrance Counseling and Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).

      Note: Entrance Counseling, Direct Stafford Loan MPN, Parent PLUS Application, Parent PLUS MPN, Grad PLUS Application, and Grad PLUS MPN are completed on studentaid.gov.

Resources to assist with completing the 24-25 FAFSA


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