How to Apply for Financial Aid
Traditional Undergraduate Students
Whether you're an incoming or continuing student, you'll want to prepare for the academic year well in advance. Follow this guide to apply for financial aid and set yourself up for success.
Jump to an action item:
#1 - Submit the FAFSA or CADAA
#2 - Upload Verification Documents (if needed)
#3 - Complete Cal Grant Verification (if needed)
When you're done with these actions, learn how to understand your offer
Applications Open: October 1, 2025
Priority Deadline: March 2, 2026
Note for incoming students:
We recommend that you begin this step when you apply for admission to Cal Lutheran. This 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.
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 you are 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.
- You could be selected for three different types of verification, Standard Verification (V1), Custom Verification (V4) or Aggregate Verification (V5). The type of verification you are selected for will determine the types of documents you need to submit.
- 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.
V1 Verification is the most common type of verification. It requires students and families to submit documentation confirming family size and income. If you are selected for V1 Verification, you will be required to submit the following:
Family Size Verification Form
On this form, you must list all individuals living in the parent(s)’ household. Family size includes:For Dependent Students
- The student
- The student’s parent(s)
- The student’s siblings if the parent(s) provide more than half of their support and will continue to do so during the award year
- Other individuals living in the household if the parent(s) provide more than half of their support and will continue to do so during the award year
- Do not include unborn children.
- The student
- The student’s spouse, if the student is married
- The student’s (or spouse’s) children if the student or spouse provides more than half of the children’s support and will continue to do so during the award year
- Other individuals who live with the student if they receive more than half of their support from the student or spouse and will continue to receive that support during the award year
- Do not include unborn children.
Verification of Income Form
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For dependent students, parent contributor(s) must confirm their income
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For independent students, the student must confirm their own income as well as their spouse's income, if married
Required Income Documentation
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Tax Filers: Parent(s) or independent students must submit signed federal tax returns or signed tax return transcripts
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Non-Tax Filers: Parent(s) or independent students must submit:
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All employer names and amounts earned from each employer
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All W-2s or W-2 equivalents, or
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A copy of their IRS Wage and Income Statement
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If income was earned in a foreign country, upload the equivalent documentation
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Important Note
For dependent students, the student must initiate the verification form through their student portal and share the document with the parent contributor(s) listed on the FAFSA.
V4 Verification focuses on confirming a student’s identity. If you are selected for V4 Verification, you must complete one of the following options:
Option 1: In-Person (Walk-In or Appointment)
Meet with a Cal Lutheran Financial Aid Administrator and present a valid government-issued photo ID.
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Walk in during office hours or
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Schedule an appointment at: https://www.callutheran.edu/financial-aid/contact/
Option 2: Virtual (Appointment Required)
Meet with a Cal Lutheran Financial Aid Administrator through a virtual video appointment and present a valid government-issued photo ID.
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Appointments must be scheduled in advance at:
https://www.callutheran.edu/financial-aid/contact/
Option 3: Notary (Mail-In)
Meet with a notary and present a valid government-issued photo ID. In the presence of the notary, complete the required Identity Verification Form (PDF Download).
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Do not write on or complete the form before meeting with the notary
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The form must be completed and signed in the notary’s presence
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Mail the completed form with a wet signature and a copy of your ID, as acknowledged by the notary
Mail all documents to:
Financial Aid Office
60 W. Olsen Road #1375
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
V5 Verification is a combination of V1 (Family Size and Income) and V4 (Identity) verification. If you are selected for V5 Verification, you must complete all requirements for both V1 and V4, as outlined below.
Family Size and Income Verification (V1)
Students must submit documentation confirming family size and income, including:
-
Family Size Verification Form
This form must list all individuals included in the student’s household, as defined in the V1 Verification guidelines. -
Verification of Income Form
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For dependent students, parent contributors must confirm their income
-
For independent students, students must confirm their own income
-
Required Income Documentation
-
Tax Filers: Signed federal tax returns or signed tax return transcripts
-
Non-Tax Filers:
-
All employer names and amounts earned from each employer
-
All W-2s or W-2 equivalents, or an IRS Wage and Income Statement
-
If income was earned in a foreign country, submit equivalent documentation
-
Identity Verification (V4)
Students must verify their identity by completing one of the following options:
Option 1: In-Person (Walk-In or Appointment)
Meet with a Cal Lutheran Financial Aid Administrator and present a valid government-issued photo ID.
-
Walk in during office hours or
-
Schedule an appointment at: https://www.callutheran.edu/financial-aid/contact/
Option 2: Virtual (Appointment Required)
Meet with a Cal Lutheran Financial Aid Administrator through a virtual video appointment and present a valid government-issued photo ID.
-
Appointments must be scheduled in advance at:
https://www.callutheran.edu/financial-aid/contact/
Option 3: Notary (Mail-In)
Meet with a notary and present a valid government-issued photo ID. In the presence of the notary, complete the required Identity Verification Form (PDF DOWNLOAD)..
-
Do not complete or sign the form before meeting with the notary
-
Mail the completed form with a wet signature and a copy of your ID, as acknowledged by the notary
Mail-In Documents (if applicable)
Financial Aid Office
60 W. Olsen Road #1375
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Deadline: March 2, 2026
This step is for incoming students only.
Please skip this step 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.
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.
Finished applying?
You're ready to learn how to understand your offer