Apply for Financial Aid

To ensure that you receive email notification of your Financial Aid eligibility, complete steps 1-3 as early as possible. Respond to any additional requests from Cal Lutheran within 30 days.

1. File Your FAFSA or CADAA
   Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that is available after October 1st each year. Make sure to list Cal Lutheran’s school code 001133. This application determines your eligibility for Federal Direct Loans and enables you to be considered for certain scholarships and grants depending on your program. A new FAFSA is submitted each year. PLTS DREAMer students should complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) each year using Cal Lutheran’s school code 001133.

2. Submit Needed Documents
   

   If you have been selected for a process called verification or if additional information is needed, you will receive a letter stating exactly what items we need submitted to the Office of Financial Aid.

   You can check online to see if you have any outstanding documents that are missing through Financial Aid Self Service in your Financial Aid Checklist.

   Notification that your Financial Aid Offer is ready to view will be sent to your callutheran.edu email account. 

If you feel you and your family are experiencing extenuating financial circumstances, please visit our Special Circumstances webpage to learn more about how to submit an appeal.

To ensure that you receive email notification of your Financial Aid eligibility, complete steps 1 as early as possible. Respond to any additional requests from Cal Lutheran as soon as possible. Please note, all loan steps must be completed at least 30 days prior to the start of any academic term you would like to receive financial aid to prevent delays.

The main source of financial aid at the graduate level is from the Federal Unsubsidized loan program. Graduate students will need to submit the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) each year in order to determine financial aid eligibility.  

1. File Your Financial Aid Application (FAFSA)
   Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Make sure to list Cal Lutheran’s school code 001133. This application determines your eligibility for low-interest Federal Direct Loans and enables you to be considered for certain scholarships and grants depending on your program. The FAFSA is required each year.

2. Submit Needed Documents
   

   If you have been selected for a process called verification or if additional information is needed, you will receive a letter stating exactly what items we need submitted to the Office of Financial Aid.

   You can check online to see if you have any outstanding documents that are missing through Financial Aid Self Service in your Financial Aid Checklist.

   New incoming graduate students must be fully (or conditionally) admitted before their financial aid eligiblity will be determined. Once your aid offer is ready you will be notified via an email to your Cal Lutheran/PLTS email account. After reviewing your aid offer continue with the following step.