Undergraduate Financial Aid
A private, liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Our financial aid program creates solutions to serve students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Get Started With the FAFSA
Step one in applying for undergrad financial aid involves completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using our unique school code, 003197. This can be done for the 2024-25 school year starting sometime in December 2023.
Undergrad Pro Tip: Create an account on the Federal Student Aid site to get your FSA ID, which you’ll need before you file the FAFSA. Here’s a quick video tutorial to help with that process. You and any family member who will be contributing information to your FAFSA should create an FSA ID prior to applying for aid.
Important Financial Aid Timing
The federal government began releasing FAFSA data to colleges in late March, but announced shortly thereafter that a significant number of the FAFSAs were processed incorrectly. In the meantime, the L&C financial aid staff is processing all FAFSAs known to have accurate data and will release need-based aid offers on a rolling basis starting in mid-April. We encourage you to monitor your L&C Portal to learn if we have your FAFSA and if any additional actions on your part are required.
Please note that many families have told us that they need to address a problem that occurred when their FAFSA was submitted. The federal government has not yet provided families with the ability to make corrections to their FAFSA, but you may be able to log in to see whether there are any outstanding items that will need to be addressed. Once students have been able to make corrections, we will process aid offers for those individuals as quickly as we can.
Lewis & Clark has already chosen to delay our decision reply deadline to June 1 in order to provide families a reasonable amount of time to make an informed decision. There is no need to request an extension from us. If you have been admitted to a school that has maintained a May 1 deadline, you are allowed to request an extension from them so that you can consider financial aid options from all the schools you’ve been admitted to.
Photo credit: Nina Johnson
Costs 2024–25
- Tuition and fees: $64,828
- Room (double occupancy): $8,856
- Board (14-meal flex plan): $6,792
- Books, transportation, and personal expenses (estimate): $3,652
- Health insurance: $3,887/year (2023-24 cost); waiver available
Types of Aid
Scholarships, grants, on-campus employment, and loans are among the ways that families finance a Lewis & Clark education.
Need-Based Scholarships and Grants
These awards—which come from Lewis & Clark, federal, or state sources—are based on financial need and the overall strength of your application. They do not require repayment upon graduation. All students who apply and qualify for need-based aid are considered for this funding source.
Merit- and Performance-Based Scholarships
We offer a variety of scholarships based on academic excellence. All applicants are automatically considered for these awards. Performance-based awards are available in entrepreneurship, speech and debate, and music.
On-Campus Student Employment
A variety of interesting jobs are available to students. Both need-based and non-need-based awards are available.
External Scholarships
Many organizations other than Lewis & Clark award scholarship funds that can be used at the school of your choice.
Federal Student Loan Programs
Many of our students and families find loans to be an important tool to help finance their education at Lewis & Clark. Federal student loans offer some advantages, including low-interest rates, deferred interest on some types of loans, and both need-based and non-need-based options.
Direct PLUS Loans
These loans are available to the parent of a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half time.
Private Loans
Private loans are designed to meet costs not covered by other forms of financial aid. Students are encouraged to pursue federal student loans (if eligible) and outside scholarships before applying for private student loans.
Helpful Tools
There’s a lot to take in when you are learning about financial aid. We have tools and resources available, and we’re here to help.
Net Price Calculator
Even before you submit your forms, you can get an idea of what it might cost to attend Lewis & Clark by using our net price calculator. This tool helps you estimate what financial aid might be available.
Payment Plan
We offer a payment plan that allows you to split each semester’s payment into five monthly installments, for a total of ten payments over the course of the year.
Secure Document Portals
Upload necessary documentation for your financial aid application.