The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The FAFSA helps you determine your financial aid eligibility, including grants, loans, and work-study employment that you can use to help pay for your college education.

  •  It's important to complete the form as accurately and early as possible to maximize your financial aid package.
  •  Create an FSA ID to confirm your identity and allow you to sign Federal Student Aid documents electronically for the first time you submit a FAFSA application. A parent will also need to create one to sign the FAFSA if you had to put parent information on it.
  •  You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) confirming the U.S. Department of Education received and processed your FAFSA.

Submit a FAFSA application

Important FAFSA dates

We award financial aid on a first-come, most-in-need basis. Meeting the suggested FAFSA submission deadlines is essential.

Late applicants can be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant or a Federal Direct Loan, but need-based funds from FLC might not be available for late applicants.

School Year

FAFSA Available

Suggested FAFSA Filing Date

Which Year’s Income and Tax
Information Is Required

2022-23

October 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023

November 15, 2021

2020

2023-24

October 1, 2022 - June 30, 2024

November 15, 2022

2021

How to...

ASSET program for undocumented students

Undocumented students, new or continuing, are eligible for in-state tuition through FLC's ASSET program if they have attended high school in Colorado for at least three years immediately before graduation or completion of a Colorado GED.

Eligibility for the ASSET program:

  • Attend a public or private high school in Colorado for at least three years before graduation OR earn a Colorado GED
  • Enroll in a Colorado college or university within 12 months of high school graduation or GED completion, OR graduate/complete GED before September 1, 2013, and have lived in Colorado for 18 months before the semester starts
  • If you did not enroll within 12 months of high school graduation or GED completion before September 1, 2013, you must provide proof of living in Colorado for 18 consecutive months before the semester start. The proof must show a Colorado address.

How to apply for FLC's ASSET program:

  • Provide:
    • Copy of lease agreement signed by all parties or rent receipts
    • Copy of warranty deed or tax liability statement for homeowners
    • Students who lived with a friend or relative must provide a notarized statement from that person indicating the property address and the dates of residence
  • Provide at least two of the following documents:
    • Colorado state identification or driver’s license
    • Colorado vehicle registration
    • Proof of employment (W-2 or check stubs)
    • Signed copies of Colorado income tax return or Colorado tax transcript for the previous year

To apply for ASSET in-state tuition

  • Complete the College Opportunity Fund (COF) affidavit indicating you are or will be applying for legal presence in Colorado.
  • The Admission Office will give you a Fort Lewis College ASSET Affidavit to fill out that will require additional documents. Submit the packet to the Admission Office 30 days before the semester starts.
  • Provide official final high school transcripts from a Colorado school you attended for at least three years or official Colorado GED transcripts.
  •  If you are transferring from another college, provide proof of acceptance at a Colorado college or university within 12 months of completing high school or your GED.
CAFSA application - the FAFSA alternative for undocumented students

Financial aid for undocumented students

The Colorado ASSET Bill allows undocumented students to be considered for financial aid from the state of Colorado. Students must complete the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) to be considered.

*ASSET Students do not need to complete the FAFSA application.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Students have to show "financial need" to receive some types of federal, state, and private financial aid. When a student completes the FAFSA, the Federal Department of Education uses a formula to determine a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The Financial Aid Office uses your EFC number to determine your eligibility for different types of financial aid.

Calculating your financial need


Cost of Attendance (COA) - Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need
 


Need-based aid is financial aid you can receive if you have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria. You can't accept more need-based aid than the amount of your financial need.

The following are examples of federal non-need-based student aid programs:

FAFSA Information Release

You can give permission to Fort Lewis College to release information regarding your student education records, including financial aid information from your FAFSA record. 

Contact us

Skyhawk Station

Email: skyhawkstation@fortlewis.edu
Phone: 970-247-7301
Drop-in: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday

Walk-in

Skyhawk Station staff will check you in and guide you to a self-service kiosk or connect you with a Skyhawk Specialist or Advisor.