Menu

  • Financial Aid FAQ

    Eligibility:

    How is financial aid eligibility determined?

    The Department of Education calculates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the information you report on the FAFSA. The EFC is not necessarily the amount of money your family will have to pay for college, but it is the number used by colleges and universities to determine the amount of and types of federal aid you may be eligible to receive. Your EFC is determined from your household size, base year income (which is 2021 income for the 2023-2024 school year), the number of family members who receive more than half their support from you (independent students) or your parents (dependent students), the number of those family members in college at least half time, and the value of your assets.

    You and your family are expected to make a maximum effort to finance college expenses. Financial assistance is meant to supplement that effort.

    What if my income has significantly changed since the tax year used on the FAFSA?

    If you feel your EFC number is not a true reflection of your ability to contribute to the cost of your education because of special circumstances, contact your Financial Aid Advisor. We may be able to adjust the data that determines your EFC or adjust your Cost of Attendance (COA) budget to better reflect your true need or ability to pay for college. Additional paperwork, time, and documents are required for these processes.

    What are the different types of financial aid?

    Grants help defray the cost of a college education. Unlike a loan, the money you receive as a grant does not have to be repaid.

    Illinois Grants

    • ISAC Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant - This state grant is based on need and provides payment for tuition and mandatory fees only. To qualify, you must meet ISAC Illinois residency criteria. If you are a legal resident of Illinois and you list Lewis and Clark Community College on your FAFSA, the MAP grant application is automatically included. The State of Illinois General Assembly determines specific award amounts.
    • Other Illinois Grants - For more information about state educational funding, please visit www.isac.org.

    Federal Grants

    • Federal Pell Grant - The maximum Pell Grant award is up to $7,395 per year. The actual amount of your grant will depend on your estimated family contribution (EFC) number (as determined by your FAFSA), your enrollment status (whether you’re full time, part time, or less than part time), and whether you attend school for the full academic year.
    • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) - These grants are for students with the most financial need as determined by their FAFSA. Students who receive Federal Pell Grants, apply for financial aid by the L&C Financial Aid Office’s priority deadline of August 31, 2023, and have the greatest financial need for the 2023-2024 school year are given initial priority. Awards at L&C range from $250 - $500 per year, depending on enrollment status.

    Student Loans are money you borrow to help pay for college expenses and must be repaid in the future. Repayment begins six months after you graduate, drop below half-time, or cease attending. More information available at www.lc.edu/Student_Loans/.

    Scholarships are another type of help that do not need to be repaid. At LC, we have several opportunities through our Institution, Foundation, and other public and private organizations. More information available at www.lc.edu/Scholarships/.

    Federal Work Study (FWS) allows students to work part-time on campus in order to earn a paycheck to help with educational expenses. More information available at www.lc.edu/Work_Study_Programs/.

    Is financial aid available for summer classes?

    Yes, Pell Grants are available, beyond the yearly maximum, for summer courses.

    Students who have used 100% of their Pell Grant award during the Fall and Spring terms may be eligible for additional Pell Grant funds during the Summer. Please talk to your Financial Aid advisors for more details.

    FAFSA Processing:

    How will I know if Lewis & Clark has received my FAFSA?

    If you listed Lewis & Clark Community College on your FAFSA, the College will receive your FAFSA.

    New students: We must have your Social Security Number (SSN) on file in our system in order to link up with your FAFSA and determine your eligibility. If you are not sure whether your SSN is on file, contact our Enrollment Center at (618)468-2222.

    How can I check my Financial Aid status?

    The Financial Aid (FA) Office will begin processing financial aid awards in May of each year. Once Lewis & Clark receives your FAFSA and it has been reviewed by your Financial Aid (FA) Advisor, you will receive a letter letting you know you have either been awarded or if you have missing documents. You can also log on to your Financial Aid Self-Service account using your Lewis & Clark username and password for status updates.

    2023-2024 Verification Document Deadline Policy for LC Students

    Submit requested Verification documents within two weeks of the date on your Required Documents Letter to avoid delays. At the latest, you must provide verification documentation by the last day to officially withdraw each term. Exceptions will only be made at the discretion of the financial aid administrator if extenuating circumstances prevented the submission of documents by the appropriate deadlines.

    For all Federal Student Aid programs, your 2023-2024 FASFA Student Aid Report (SAR) must be received by the Lewis & Clark no later than your last date of enrollment for the 2023-2024 award year or September 14, 2024, whichever is earlier. Note that a FAFSA must be submitted and an SAR received for the dependent student for whom a parent is applying for a Direct PLUS Loan.

    Students selected for Verification Tracking Groups V4 and V5, that require verification of identity, must submit documentation with 60 days of the date on your Required Documents Letter. Except for students selected for Verification Tracking Groups V4 and V5, verification documents must be received by Lewis & Clark no later than 120 days after your last date of enrollment for the 2023-2024 award year.

    When the FA Office makes Corrections to your FAFSA

    The Financial Aid office will electronically submit corrections to the FAFSA data, resulting from verification and other documentation you provide, to Federal Student Aid’s Central Processing System (CPS). CPS will then send an SAR Information Acknowledgment to you, the student, as notification of these corrections as well as the school. Students will also be notified of award changes resulting from verification or submitted documentation by the receipt of an updated award notification on the Financial Aid Self-service portal.

    The Financial Aid office is required to resolve any conflicting information reported on the FAFSA and may request additional documentation.

    Can I register for and/or start classes before my financial aid is processed?

    Yes, students can and should register for classes before their financial aid is processed. You may also go ahead and begin attending your classes even if your financial aid award is pending, but please make sure you are in communication with your FA Advisor.

    What do I do if I receive a bill but my financial aid has not been awarded?

    Do not panic! If you have completed the FAFSA, but your financial aid has not been awarded by the time tuition bills are mailed in July, please contact your FA Advisor to ensure you are on the right track. Tuition is due August 8, 2023.

    Submitting Forms:

    How do I access/submit documents to financial aid?

    Online:

    Log on to your FA Self-Service account in order to view missing documents and submit required financial aid forms electronically through DocuSign®. The forms will automatically be sent from DocuSign to the FA Office for review, although it may take at least three days for your FA Advisor to look over the document and for the “received” status to be reflected on your Self-Service account.

    In-person:

    Bring documents to the FA Office located in Baldwin Hall 2450 on the Godfrey campus.

    • Office hours during Fall and Spring semesters are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • The FA office operates on a Summer schedule from mid-May until July 31. Summer hours are Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon.

    By mail:
    Lewis & Clark Community College
    Financial Aid Office, BA 2450
    5800 Godfrey Road
    Godfrey, IL 62035

    After Financial Aid Has Been Awarded:

    How do I get my books?

    Students can begin charging textbooks to their financial aid awards two weeks before the start of the semester.

    • If you are purchasing books in person, you will need a copy of your semester schedule and photo ID.
    • If you are purchasing books online, you will need your 7-digit LC ID number.

    Please visit the campus bookstore’s website for more information.

    What if I have accepted financial aid, but I still see a tuition amount due on my Self-Service account?

    Although you may see outstanding tuition charges on your Self-Service account, as long as you have accepted your financial aid and have more financial aid pending than your total charges, you are on the right track. The FA Office will automatically transmit your pending financial aid once the semester begins. You are ok to begin attending classes.

    When will I get my refund check?

    Refund checks are scheduled to be mailed six weeks after the semester begins. Failure to attend or participate in your classes will delay your financial aid refund.

    Maintaining Eligibility:

    What is required after financial aid is received?

    Once you have received your aid, you’re expected to meet satisfactory academic progress standards. If you do not, you may be denied future financial aid.

    You must reapply for financial aid by completing the online FAFSA application every academic year (which begins with the fall semester and ends with the summer semester). Students can apply as early as October 1 for the following academic year.

    Additional Resources:

    How do I set up an appointment with an advisor?

    You can schedule an appointment with your FA Advisor directly from the Financial Aid Homepage. Click on the “Book an Appointment” button under your FA Advisor’s name. You can also contact the FA Office at (618) 468-2223 or finaid@lc.edu to schedule an appointment.

    Who do I contact if I cannot access my Financial Aid Self-Service account?

    If you are having username/password issues, please contact the LC Help Desk at (618) 468-4357.

    Scholarship Questions?

    The College will begin loading scholarships a month before each semester begins. Please go ahead and register for classes if you haven’t already done so.

    • If you have specific questions about a scholarship you received through LC, please email scholarships@lc.edu.
    • If you have questions about an outside scholarship you received, please email aroffice@lc.edu.