How to Apply for Financial Aid

Bachelor's Degree for Professionals

Whether you are an incoming or returning student, understanding the application process and each section of your Financial Aid Offer is a crucial step in preparing for the academic year. Explore the application process and next steps below.

Step 1: Submit the FAFSA

Priority Deadline: 60 days before the start of your first term

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. 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 grants.

Start Your FAFSA

Step 2: Complete required documents (if requested)

Deadline: 30 days before the start of your first term

If you have been selected for a process called Verification or if Cal Lutheran needs additional information from you, Cal Lutheran will send you a link to submit an electronic Verification Form in the MyCLU portal, along with the exact documents that are needed. You can also check online to see if you have any outstanding documents that are missing through Self-Service in your Financial Aid Checklist.

You will have 30 days from the date of the notification to submit all of the requested documents, but please submit as soon as possible. Failure to submit the requested documentation will result in a delay determining your financial aid eligibility. 

Once you receive notification to your CalLutheran.edu email account that your award is ready to view, please continue with these steps.

Step 3: View and accept your Financial Aid Offer

Deadline: 45 days before the start of your first term

It is Cal Lutheran policy that students are responsible for accepting or declining each component of the Financial Aid Offer:

• Please accept or decline each offer listed in Self-Service.
• If you are accepting any loans, you will also need to complete the loan items listed in the Financial Aid Checklist on the MyCLU portal.
• If you would like to change your decision at a later date on a particular offer, please contact us.

Step 4: Complete the loan process

Loan Application Priority Deadline: 30 days before the start of your first term
Loan Processing Deadline: 10 days before the end of term

If you are taking any loans to assist with meeting your expenses, please have the loan applications complete by 30 days prior to the start of your first term — this helps your funds to arrive promptly.

If you accept a Federal Direct Loan, you must submit both Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note to complete the loan process.

All application steps must be completed at least 10 business days prior to the end of a term that you wish to receive financial aid for. All loans require processing time before the funds will be ready to disburse. You may receive loan funds for a term only if you are currently enrolled in that term and loan funds disburse prior to the end of that term. If completion of required steps occurs after the 10 business days prior to the end of the term, the Financial Aid office cannot guarantee that loan(s) will be processed before the end of the eligible timeframe.

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