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

Applying for undergrad financial aid involves completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using our unique school code, 003197. The FAFSA is now open.

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.

Complete the FAFSA

  • <blockquote> <p> <p> <span style="font-weight: 400;">I received a generous financial aid package that sealed the deal. Between the colleges I was choosing from, Lewis & Clark’s offer was the best, and because I already was interested in attending, it helped me make my decision even quicker.</span> </p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16647-adam-schwarz">Adam Schwarz BA ’23</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Daly City, California</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The financial aid package was the number one factor involved with my decision to come here.</span> </p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16648-dj-smith">DJ Smith BA ’23</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Las Vegas, Nevada</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> <span style="font-weight: 400;">I chose Lewis & Clark because of the small class sizes and proximity to home, and I was offered a generous financial aid package.</span> </p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16641-htoo-ray-wah">Htoo Ray Wah BA ’23</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Portland, Oregon</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> I felt that I could not pass up the opportunity to attend a reputable college that was willing to support my goals and future. My award knocked all other prospective colleges off of my list. I am forever grateful for the financial aid that I have received as it has changed my life in remarkable ways.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20471-jade-valdez">Jade Valdez BA ’25</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Woods Cross, Utah</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> <span style="font-weight: 400;">My financial aid package made a college education achievable for my family and me. The generous aid I received was a motivating factor for me to attend L&C, so that I could have a wonderful education without graduating with mountains of debt.</span> </p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16650-sofia-reeves">Sofia Reeves BA ’23</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Sacramento, California</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> <span style="font-weight: 400;">L&C offered me a really generous financial aid package. I can’t tell you how impactful it was not to come out of school with a mountain of debt.</span> </p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16540-spencer-byrne-seres">Spencer Byrne-Seres BA ’13</a> <br/> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Attending Lewis & Clark without financial aid was basically impossible for me. When I saw how much aid the school was offering to me, I actually cried tears of happiness. Simply put, my financial aid was the final deciding factor of whether or not I said yes to L&C.</span> </p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16677-erika-hutchinson">Erika Hutchinson BA ’22</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Fort Collins, Colorado</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> My financial aid package cemented my decision to study at Lewis & Clark; it allowed me to pursue a quality liberal arts education without worrying about affordability.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/21569-piper-mccoy-harmon">Piper McCoy Harmon BA ’26</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Portland, Oregon</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> The generous financial aid package I received sealed the deal for me to choose L&C.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19658-bijou-macdonald">Bijou Macdonald BA ’21</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Broomfield, Colorado</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> I always hoped I would get to attend a small liberal arts college, but I never thought it would be a real possibility until I saw the financial aid package Lewis & Clark offered me. The scholarships I was offered closed the gap between private and public education, allowing me to pursue my dreams the way I imagined.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20449-annabelle-samson">Annabelle Samson BA ’27</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Olympia, Washington</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> The financial aid package offered by the college played a significant role in my decision, and Lewis & Clark was among the most generous schools in this regard.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/17730-hashim-salman">Hashim Salman BA ’25</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Amman, Jordan</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> My financial aid package was a large part of my decision to attend Lewis & Clark.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/21550-jermisha-hinton">Jermisha Hinton BA ’25</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Washington, D.C.</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> I looked at many schools but what made Lewis & Clark stand out to me was the small class sizes, merit aid, proximity to Portland, and beautiful campus.</p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20400-august-van-nieuwenhuysen">August van Nieuwenhuysen BA ’25</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Tustin, California</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> My financial aid package had a major influence on my decision to attend L&C. It provided me with the most affordable path toward obtaining my undergraduate degree compared to the other institutions I had gotten accepted into. </p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18357-savannah-bishop">Savannah Bishop BA ’25</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Portland and Bend, Oregon; Budapest, Hungary; Accra, Ghana</span> </p> </blockquote>
  • <blockquote> <p> <p> <i> <span style="font-weight: 400;"></span> </i> <span style="font-weight: 400;">This was one of the few schools that gave me a significant amount of money that would make it possible for me to attend a private college. I was looking for smaller classes and closer engagement with students, staff, and faculty, and I am grateful to have been able to do that with this scholarship and aid.</span> </p> </p> <p class="quote-author"> <a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18338-grace-marchant">Grace Marchant BA ’25</a> <br/> <span class="quoted-profile_meta">Upland, California</span> </p> </blockquote>

 

Students have many opportunities to engage in experiential learning. One example is through our annual Winterim program--an imme... Students have many opportunities to engage in experiential learning. One example is through our annual Winterim program—an immersive week designed to develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills in a supportive and fun environment.
Credit: Nina Johnson

Costs 2025–26

  • Tuition and fees: $68,048
  • Housing (double occupancy room): $9,210
  • Food (14-meal flex plan): $7,048
  • Books, transportation, and personal expenses (estimate): $3,652
  • Health insurance: $3,812/year (2024-25 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.

Student presenting at Festival of Scholars and Artists

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.

Student-Faculty interaction

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.

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