Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political beliefs, or veteran status. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment, admission, and education shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff.

Inquiries may be referred to David Pirrone, Coordinator for Equal Opportunity, 970-247-7182; or to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, Colorado 80204, 303-844-5695.

The Federal Government's general philosophy toward financial aid is:

  1. "To the extent that they are able, parents should and will pay for the education of their children;
  2. Students also have an obligation to assume responsibility for a reasonable portion of their educational expenses; and
  3. The family's financial circumstances should be evaluated in a consistent and equitable manner at the same time recognizing that special circumstances can and do alter a family's ability to contribute to the student's education."

These principles are integrated into our financial aid rules, policies and procedures.

The Financial Aid Office at Fort Lewis College will determine if you qualify for need-based financial aid. If you do not, we help you find other resources to meet your educational expenses. We offer a combination of grants, loans, scholarships and work-study.

This guide will help you complete the financial aid application process. Early planning and timely communication are imperative.

Student Rights

You have the right to know:

  1. About federal, state, and other financial aid programs available from Fort Lewis College (College).
  2. The deadlines for submitting applications for financial aid programs.
  3. The cost of attending the College.
  4. The College's refund policies for return of funds.
  5. What criteria the College uses to select financial aid recipients.
  6. How the College figures tuition, room, board, books, supplies, travel, and miscellaneous costs and how we use these costs to determine your financial need.
  7. How resources such as expected family contribution (EFC), income, assets, financial aid and scholarships are considered when the College calculates your financial need.
  8. How much financial need you have according to the College.
  9. How to appeal to have your financial aid award reviewed if you feel that it does not adequately meet your needs.
  10. If you do borrow, what the loan interest rates are, when repayment begins, the total amount to be repaid, repayment procedures, and the amount of time allowed for repayment.
  11. How and when you will be paid for work-study and the conditions of your employment.
  12. How the college determines if you are making satisfactory progress in your course of study, and what happens to your financial assistance if you do not make satisfactory progress.

Student Responsibilities

You have the responsibility to:

  1. Complete all applications on time and submit them to the appropriate agency or office.
  2. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) accurately. Errors cause delays and may prevent you from receiving certain limited funds.
  3. Promptly provide signatures or documents the Financial Aid Office requests.
  4. Read and understand all papers you are asked to sign, and keep copies for your records. The Financial Aid Office at Fort Lewis College should not be used to hold students' permanent records. Documents turned in to the Financial Aid Office are for office use only.
  5. Accept full responsibility for all agreements you sign.
  6. Notify your student loan lender(s) of changes in your name, address, and/or student status.
  7. Perform work as agreed when you accept a work-study award.
  8. Know and adhere to the Fort Lewis College Refund Policies for Return of Funds.
  9. Comply with the satisfactory progress criteria to retain your financial aid awards.
  10. Notify the Financial Aid Office if you receive assistance that was not reported on your application for financial aid. Additional sources of assistance may cause your aid package to be reduced or canceled. This includes but is not limited to:
    • Private scholarships/grants
    • Awards from tribal scholarship offices
    • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) awards
    •  Workforce assistance
    • Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab)
  11. Report financial aid, except loans, to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as income if the aid received is more than the amount paid for tuition, fees, books and supplies. Contact the IRS for specific details. Keep records of what you pay for tuition, fees, books, supplies, etc.
  12. Enroll for classes that apply toward your degree.
  13. Be aware that a drug related conviction, while receiving federal financial aid, will disqualify you for one year of aid or more.
  14. Provide true and accurate information on applications for federal financial aid funds.

Any person who knowingly and willfully makes false statements, furnishes false information and/or conceals material information when applying for or receiving financial aid is subject to severe penalties from the State of Colorado and/or federal government including fines and/or imprisonment. Fort Lewis College will not tolerate this activity and will refer cases to the appropriate agency of the government for further investigation and possible prosecution.