Financial
Aid Programs Fort Lewis College offers a complete student financial aid program of scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment. FEDERALLY
FUNDED PROGRAMS STATE-FUNDED
PROGRAMS INSTITUTIONALLY
FUNDED PROGRAMS All financial aid awards, with the exception of Athletic Awards, Presidential Scholarships, Continuing Student Scholarships, the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, the PLUS loan, and some institutional and FLC Foundation scholarships/awards, are based on financial need. Every effort is made to provide the best type of aid or combination of aid to assist students in completing a college education. All financial aid awards, however, are contingent upon availability of funds. A number of other scholarships are available. Eligibility and selection criteria vary depending on donor instructions. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid. Students wishing to be considered for all programs of need-based student financial aid are required to complete and submit the federal financial aid application called the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA may be obtained from the student’s high school counselor, from an Office of Financial Aid (OFA) at any local college or university, or from the Office of Financial Aid, Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301-3999. The “Federal School Code” is required on the last page of the FAFSA. The Fort Lewis College code number is 001353. The student’s financial aid application for the 2003-04 school year (Summer 2003, Fall 2003, Winter 2004, and Summer 2004 Trimesters) should be completed and mailed as soon as possible after January 1, 2003, because most of the need-based aid programs are awarded on a highest need, first-come, first-served basis. Once the financial aid application file is complete in all respects, the determination of eligibility for various awards is made. Awards are offered from the various aid programs until all funds have been awarded. In order to allow adequate time for completion of the aid application file, it is strongly advised that the student mail the FAFSA no later than February 15, 2003. Students who complete their application later may still qualify for some need-based financial aid programs (Federal Pell Grant and/or Federal Stafford Loan), but limited campus-based aid, including work-study, will likely not be available. Eligible students wishing to borrow from the Stafford Loan Program will be sent information about the electronic loan application procedure when they accept the offer. A loan application “Borrower Information Sheet” must then be completed by the student and submitted to the Office of Financial Aid for certification. Complete consumer information relevant to all student services programs is available upon request. Requests for information should be directed to the appropriate office. NATIVE AMERICAN TUITION WAIVER As a matter of policy and in compliance with state law, Fort Lewis College offers Native American students, as defined below, full-tuition waivers to attend the institution. Room and board and other College fees remain applicable. Fort Lewis College adheres to the following definition: “The term Native American shall include all persons of Native American descent who are members of any recognized Native American tribe now under federal jurisdiction, and all persons who are descendants of such members who were, on June 1, 1934, residing within the present boundaries of any Native American reservation, and shall further include all persons of one-half or more Native American blood. Eskimos and other aboriginal people of Alaska shall be considered Native Americans.” (United States Code, 1964 Edition, Vol. 6, Title 25, Chapter 14, Section 479, Page 4, 897.) To be considered for
the Native American Tuition Waiver at Fort Lewis College, you must provide
a Certificate of Indian Blood or a copy of your Tribal Membership Card.
To qualify for the Native American Tuition Waiver you must be at least
50% Native American or an enrolled member of a Federally Recognized Tribe.
Note: Shareholders or descendants of members do not qualify if they are
unable to prove they themselves: The College will review all applications from Native American students to determine if they qualify for the full-tuition waiver. If a Native American qualifies according to an appropriate tribal certification and admission standards, such student will be offered the full-tuition waiver. This waiver does not include fees, room, board and books. NEW MEXICO RECIPROCAL STUDENT PROGRAM The Colorado Commission on Higher Education and the New Mexico Board of Educational Finance have signed an agreement allowing a limited number of selected New Mexico resident students, normally from San Juan county, to enroll at Fort Lewis College at the in-state rates. Each year a fixed number of students will be allocated to Fort Lewis College under this program. For details, consult the Admission Office, 970-247-7184. RESIDENT TUITION FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL The Colorado Legislature has authorized resident tuition for active duty military personnel on permanent assignment in Colorado and for their dependents (as defined by military regulations). ELIGIBLE STUDENTS MUST BE CERTIFIED EACH TERM. Students obtain a completed verification form from the base education officer and submit the form with their military ID to the Records Office prior to registering for classes. Students who have military certification remain classified as non-residents for tuition purposes and must petition to change their status once they establish permanent ties to Colorado. Fort Lewis College is authorized by the state approving agency according to federal law to educate students receiving benefits through the Veterans Administration. The Veteran’s certifying official is located in the Records Office, 970-247-7350. |