Financial Aid FAQs

What is Lewis University’s school code?
Lewis University’s school code is 001707

How do I check the status of my financial aid application?
Once you have completed your FAFSA, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from the Department of Education that your FAFSA has been processed. Lewis University usually receives your FAFSA within 2-4 business days from the time your FAFSA has been processed. Lewis University will also send an email that your FAFSA has been received. We encourage students to check their myLewis for any additional documents that may be needed in order to process your aid.

Do I need to complete a FAFSA every year?
Yes. Returning students must complete a FAFSA every year. In order to ensure you meet all federal, state and institutional deadlines, your FAFSA should be completed as soon after October 1 as possible. Lewis University has a priority processing deadline of December 1 for all returning students.

Can I take a leave of absence from Lewis without losing my financial aid?
Students are allowed to stop-out for up to two years and keep their academic scholarship eligibility, provided they do not attend another university during that time. For all other aid types, a student must be enrolled at least part-time to be eligible.

Will my financial aid cover summer school programs?
Students who are enrolled in graduate or adult accelerated programs will be awarded automatically with their financial aid being distributed equally between the fall, spring and summer semesters. For traditional undergraduate students, summer aid eligibility is based on remaining aid eligibility not used in the fall and spring semesters.

Will my financial aid cover study abroad programs?
Financial aid is available for some study abroad programs. Please check with the Office of Financial Aid Services for additional information.

If my parents are divorced or separated, whose financial information would I use on my FAFSA?
If your parents are divorced or separated, use the financial information of the parent that provides more than 50% of your support during the academic year. In the case that both parents provide 50% of your support, you must use the parent who has the higher income for the tax year being reported.

Why does my sibling's financial aid eligibility differ so much from mine?
If you and your sibling attend different schools, the difference between the costs of attending each school could explain this. If you both attend Lewis University, the difference between each person's earnings and assets during the last calendar year as well as grade level may affect eligibility.

Do you offer aid packages for veterans?
Lewis is proud to be distinguished as a GI Jobs Military-Friendly University and a perennial member of the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. Learn more about our scholarship offerings for qualified Post-9/11 veterans.

If I become a commuter student next semester, will that affect my financial aid?
Any decrease in your total cost of attendance could affect your aid eligibility and increase your need for additional loans. If a change in your commuting status does occur, you must inform the Office of Financial Aid Services right away.

I have a credit balance on my account. How do I request a refund?
Credit Balance Refunds are automatically sent to students based on how they answer the Title IV Authorization questions when they accept their financial aid award offer. If students authorize the refund to be released it will be processed through the Business Office. Refund requests will be processed within 14 working days from the date the credit balance occurs.

I have been selected for verification - what does this mean?
The Department of Education may randomly choose students FAFSA data to be verified for accuracy. If you have been selected for verification, before we can continue processing your financial aid application, we will require:

Signed and completed Verification form
Signed Student's Federal Tax form
Signed Parent(s) Federal Tax form (dependent student)

Click here for information on how to request a federal tax transcript.

I would like to speak to a counselor in person. How can I make an appointment?
You can come into or call the Office of Financial Aid Services on the 1st floor of the LRC building at (815) 836-5263, Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm and request to speak with a counselor or make an appointment. Appointments can also be made through e-mail at finaid@lewisu.edu.

How do I know the amount granted is the amount disbursed for my Direct Loan?
Students can track their indebtedness by reviewing their loan disbursements on the National Student Loan Database Services website. Students can see what was borrowed each academic year. This is a good way to ensure that the awarded and actual loan amounts are the same.

How much am I eligible to borrow as a graduate student?
Graduate students are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 in Federal Direct Loan funds each academic year. An academic year at Lewis University comprise of fall, spring and summer semesters. Should a student begin mid-year the academic year is whatever semester(s) remain.

I was awarded for fall, spring and summer semesters, but I plan to graduate at the end of fall term.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid Services at finaid@lewisu.edu to request that your Financial Aid Award Offer be revised based on your enrollment.

Can I change my loan amount?
Loan amounts can be changed at the time the Financial Aid Award Offer is accepted in myLewis portal. Please keep in mind that Federal Direct Loans can only be adjusted down since Lewis University awards students up to their loan eligibility based on need and class level. Loan adjustment requests after accepting or declining the original loans can be made by emailing finaid@lewisu.edu.

When are financial aid funds applied to students account?
Financial aid funds are applied to students’ accounts at the beginning of each semester as long as the Financial Aid Offer has been accepted in myLewis and all Direct Loan paperwork has been completed.

Why has my MAP Grant not been applied to my student account?
The Illinois MAP Grant is not disbursed to student’s accounts until Lewis University receives payment from the State of Illinois Comptroller’s Office. Fall payment usually occurs in November and Spring payment in April.

Why are my loans at an "Offered" status?
Loan funds are offered to students as part of their Financial Aid Award Offer. Lewis University is an active confirmation school which means the Direct Loans must be accepted by the student before we can process them for disbursement.

Why have my Direct Loans not disbursed?
In order to receive Federal Direct Loans you must have accepted the loans as part of your Financial Aid Award Offer and completed the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov.

Where can I find a Federal Work-study job on-campus?
Visit the myLewis portal in Student Resources and click on the Handshake ICON. This portlet lists all Federal Work-study student positions.

Where can I find additional scholarship opportunities?
You can find additional Endowed and Annual Scholarships here.

Can my parents borrow a loan to assist me with my education?
Yes, there is a Parent PLUS Loan that parents can borrow on behalf of a dependent student. The application can be found at studentaid.gov.

Are there additional Educational Loans that I can borrow?
Yes, Lewis University has an interactive website that outlines Lenders that have Private Loan Products for you to research. They can be found at this link.

I am not a US Citizen, are there opportunities for non US citizens?
If you are an Illinois Resident you can visit to determine eligibility to complete the RISE Act Application. You can find more information here.