The Federal Government and FLC's philosophy on student financial aid

  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 consistently and equitably while recognizing that special circumstances can and do alter a family's ability to contribute to the student's education.

FLC integrates Federal government principles into our financial aid rules, policies and procedures.

Our Financial Aid Office determines if you qualify for need-based financial aid. If you do not, we help you find other resources to meet your educational expenses by offering a combination of grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.

Student rights & responsibilities

Your rights

You have the right to know: 

  • About federal, state, and other financial aid programs available from Fort Lewis College (College).
  • The deadlines for submitting applications for financial aid programs.
  • The cost of attending the College.
  • The College's refund policies for the return of funds.
  • What criteria the College uses to select financial aid recipients.
  • How the College figures tuition, room, board, books, supplies, travel, and miscellaneous costs, and how we use these costs to determine your financial need.
  • How resources such as expected family contribution (EFC), income, assets, financial aid, and scholarships are considered when the College calculates your financial need.
  • How much financial need you have according to the College.
  • How to appeal to review your financial aid award if you feel it does not adequately meet your needs.
  • 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.
  • How and when you will be paid for work-study and the conditions of your employment.
  • 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. 
Your responsibilities

   You have the responsibility to: 

  • Complete all applications on time and submit them to the appropriate agency or office.
  • Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) accurately. Errors cause delays and may prevent you from receiving certain limited funds.
  • Promptly provide signatures or documents the Financial Aid Office requests.
  • Read and understand all papers you are asked to sign, and keep copies for your records.
  • Documents turned in to the Financial Aid Office are for office use only. Do not use the
  • Financial Aid Office at Fort Lewis College to hold students' permanent records.
  • Accept full responsibility for all agreements you sign.
  • Notify your student loan lender(s) of changes in your name, address, and/or student status.
  • Perform work as agreed when you accept a work-study award.
  • Know and adhere to the Fort Lewis College Refund Policies for Return of Funds.
  • Comply with the satisfactory progress criteria to retain your financial aid awards.
  • Notify the Financial Aid Office if you receive assistance not reported on your application for financial aid. Additional sources of assistance may cause your aid package to be reduced or canceled. This situation 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)
  • Keep records of what you pay for tuition, fees, books, supplies, etc. 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.
  • Enroll for classes that apply toward your degree.
  • Provide true and accurate information on applications for federal financial aid funds. 

Don't lie on your financial aid documents

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 the 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.