Understand Your Preliminary Aid Offer
If you chose to complete the Cal Lutheran Financial Aid form during the application process, you will have received your Preliminary Aid Offer which gives you a preview of the financial aid you may qualify for. Your official offer will be available beginning in February, after your FAFSA has been received and processed.
All grants and scholarships provided by Cal Lutheran require full-time enrollment (minimum 12 units per term) and are renewable each year as long as you maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Federal and state aid will be prorated if less than full-time. All financial aid, unless specified otherwise, is split equally over fall and spring semesters.
Using your Preliminary Aid Offer and the information that follows, we encourage you
to make a financial plan for both the fall and spring semesters.
How to Compare Aid Offers
As you begin to receive aid offers from multiple schools, it is important that you compare “apples to apples.” You must first understand costs — direct cost versus indirect cost.
Direct costs are items billed by the school and include tuition, mandatory fees and, if living on campus, housing and meals. At some schools, like Cal Lutheran, the cost of e-books provided by the university may be included in direct costs.
Indirect costs are education-related expenses that students incur no matter where they live and can vary by individual depending on personal spending habits.
Comparing Aid Offers
Perform this calculation for each school who provided an aid offer. This will give you a balanced perspective on actual cost.
Direct Cost – Grants and Scholarships = Remaining Cost
If you choose to take student loans, the "Remaining Cost" minus the amount of the loans is the "Remaining Cost not covered by Financial Aid".
To learn more about Cal Lutheran’s Cost of Attendance: www.callutheran.edu/COA
*Repayment on Direct Student Loans begins 6-months after graduation or less than half-time
enrollment
**If a balance remains, explore the other resources provided
Loan Options
Parent PLUS Loans
(Parent is the applicant/borrower; requires credit approval)
This parent loan is available to credit-worthy parents of dependent undergraduate students regardless of income. This loan program allows parents to borrow the difference between the cost of attendance and the financial assistance the student is scheduled to receive. Learn more: www.callutheran.edu/plus
Private Alternative Loans
(Student is the applicant/borrower; most loans require credit-worthy co-signer)
Private Alternative Loans (also called education or private student loans) are designed to bridge the gap between college costs and traditional financial aid resources. They may be used to help pay for current term expenses, past due balances from a previous term or academic year, and can also be used for students who are enrolled less than half time. Learn more: www.callutheran.edu/alternativeloans
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Cal Lutheran Donor Scholarship Programs
Fill out a general application to be evaluated for eligibility for these scholarships that have been provided by our generous donors. Application cycle opens Feb. 15-March 16.
Apply here: callutheran.academicworks.com
Cal Lutheran Matching Scholarship Programs
- Congregational Partners in Education (CPE) Matching Scholarship — Cal Lutheran will match gifts from your congregation or faith-based organization in support of your full-time enrollment up to $2,500 per academic year.
- AmeriCorps Service Program — AmeriCorps member volunteers serve directly with nonprofit organizations to tackle our nation’s most pressing challenges. The AmeriCorps Segal Education Award is a post-service benefit received by individuals who complete terms of national service in approved AmeriCorps programs. Cal Lutheran will match up to $4,000 per year of the education award used toward education costs. Learn more about the benefits: www.americorps.gov/members-volunteers/your-benefits
- American Climate Corps Program — The American Climate Corps is a groundbreaking workforce training and service initiative that will put tens of thousands of young Americans to work fighting the impacts of climate change today while training tomorrow’s clean energy and climate-resilience workforce. The American Climate Corps Segal Education Award is a post-service benefit received by individuals who complete terms of national service in approved program. Cal Lutheran will match up to $4,000 per year of the education award used toward education costs. Learn more about the benefits: www.acc.gov/what-youll-do
Outside Scholarships
Private outside scholarships are offered by various organizations including local, regional and state nonprofit organizations. The financial aid team has compiled a list of search tools and opportunities for you to explore.
View the list at www.callutheran.edu/outsidescholarships
Student Employment
The student employment program allows you to work on-campus and in community service positions in a variety of part-time capacities while building your resume and time management skills. You will be paid minimum wage as you work and learn. This money is intended to assist you with personal and educational expenses.
Learn more at www.callutheran.edu/workopportunities