How to Apply for Financial Aid
For Traditional Undergraduate Students: Incoming and Returning
Jump to a step:
Step 1: Submit the FAFSA or CADAA
Applications Open: October 1 (estimated) / Priority Deadline: March 1 (estimated)
Head's up, incoming students!
We recommend that you begin this step when you apply for admission to Cal Lutheran. That will ensure you receive your Financial Aid Offer after being admitted to Cal Lutheran.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) are yearly applications used to determine eligibility for federal and state aid.
FAFSA
Used for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens to evaluate eligibility for programs such as federal or state grants, institutional scholarships, and federal loans.
CADAA
Used for undocumented students who meet the eligibility requirements of California Assembly Bill 540 and come from a lower income household or qualify for need-based aid.
Pro tips
- Be sure to include your Social Security Number (if available) on both applications, as well as Cal Lutheran's School Code 001133 when prompted.
- Please note that the FAFSA or CADAA must be completed every year that you attend Cal Lutheran with updated information.
Step 2: Complete required documents (if requested)
Deadline: Within 30 days of receiving notification
After submitting the FAFSA, some students are selected for "verification," which means the federal government needs the Financial Aid office at Cal Lutheran to verify that the information provided on your FAFSA matches your tax documents.
If selected, you will be notified on your FAFSA Submission Summary. You can also check your Self-Service portal to see if you have any outstanding documents that are missing.
Verification documents must be submitted within 30 days of receiving notification. Failure to submit the requested documentation within 30 days will result in a delay of receiving your Financial Aid Offer.
Step 3: Complete your Cal Grant verification (if needed)
Deadline: March 2 (estimated)
This step is for incoming students only.
Please skip if you are a returning student.
If needed, complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. Ask the registrar/counselor at the school you attended prior to Cal Lutheran to verify your GPA and submit the form to the California Student Aid Commission no later than March 2.
Next Steps: View and accept your Financial Aid Offer
National Reply Date / Deadline to Accept Your Financial Aid Offer: May 1
If you are an incoming student admitted to Cal Lutheran:
- You will receive a Financial Aid Offer. Your first notification will be physically
mailed to your home address.
- Early Action First-Years: First notifications are sent via mail service beginning in late February
- Regular Decision First-Years: First notifications are sent via mail service beginning in late March
- All subsequent notifications will be delivered electronically to the CalLutheran.edu email address assigned to you after admission. Notifications can also be viewed in your MyCLU student portal (access instructions will be provided in your first notification).
Your Financial Aid Offer will outline all federal, state and institutional grants, scholarships, and loans in your financial aid package, and it will estimate your actual cost. It will also include an electronic version of the "Shopping Sheet" with greater detail. Financial Aid Offers will start being delivered on the approximate dates below, and continually thereafter as applications and all required paperwork is completed.
All incoming first-year students must submit the non-refundable enrollment deposit of $500 by May 1 to confirm enrollment in the fall class. You can pay online at CalLutheran.edu/deposit. Once you have made your enrollment deposit and received your Financial Aid Offer, login to Self-Service and accept or decline the components of your offer by May 1.
If you are a continuing student:
- Financial Aid Offer notifications are delivered to your Cal Lutheran email address, beginning in early May. Notifications are delivered as applications become complete.
- Your offer, and a list of any missing application documents, can be viewed anytime through your MyCLU student portal.
Please be aware that Financial Aid Offers may be revised:
Financial Aid Offers may be revised for many reasons including changes to the FAFSA and CADAA, new scholarships, or changes in housing or enrollment status. Notices regarding revised Financial Aid Offers are sent to your CalLutheran.edu email account and you can monitor your offer anytime through your MyCLU student portal. Be sure to check back regularly for updates.
It is Cal Lutheran policy that students are responsible for accepting or declining each component of their Financial Aid Offer. Please follow the guidelines below to take action in your Self-Service portal:
- Sign in to Self-Service for Financial Aid.
- From the Checklist select "Review and accept your Financial Aid Offer Package."
- For each offer listed as "Estimated," you must Accept or Decline from the drop down link. Accepted loans require additional steps — please see instructions on our Loans & Loan Counseling page.
- Choose Offer Letter to view and print your accepted Financial Aid Offer package.
If you would like to change your decision at a later date on a particular award, please contact the Financial Aid office.
Additional deadlines to know:
- End of May: Deadline for Housing
If you are planning to live on-campus, you will need to pay the $400 housing deposit and complete the Residence Life Application & Contract. Housing will not be assigned until Cal Lutheran has received your enrollment deposit, the housing deposit, and the application. - July: Billing Statements Available
Starting in July, Student Accounts will make term billing statements available through MyCLU. - July 1: Loan Priority Deadline
If you are borrowing money to assist with meeting your educational expenses, all loan application processes must be completed by this date to ensure your funds arrive promptly. - First Friday in August: Financial Clearance
The payment contract, all financial aid applications and documents, and payment of first semester charges, must be completed by this date. If these items are not received or completed, students may be charged a penalty fee and may be at risk of having their classes dropped. - 10 days prior to the end of the term: Loan Processing Deadline
All application steps must be completed at least 10 business days prior to the end of a term the student wishes to receive aid for. All loans require processing time before the funds will be ready to disburse. Students may receive loan funds for a term only if they are currently enrolled in that term and loan funds disburse prior to end of that term. If completion of required steps occurs after the 10 business days prior to the end of the term, the Office of Financial Aid 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.