FAFSA Process

The FAFSA is used by U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply for need-based aid (grants, loans, work-study) from College, state and federal sources.

Our Federal School Code is 001706.

The 2024-2025 FAFSA is significantly different from prior years

U.S. students (only) who completed the CSS Profile and want need-based aid must complete this FAFSA to determine official eligibility.

Having a problem with your FAFSA? Look at "Helpful Tools" near the bottom.

Need to add Lake Forest to your FAFSA?

Fall 2024 Process

Step 1. Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA.

Step 2.  Complete optional " Special Circumstance Forms" if applicable

If you believe the FAFSA does not give an complete, accurate picture of your family's financial situation, review the "special circumstance forms" and submit all that are applicable. Forms for the 2024-2025 academic year are available now.  We usually recomment that you contact our office before submitting a form, to determine if it will affect your financial aid eligibility.


    Step 3. Complete other required forms
    , if directed to do so. 

    Fall 2024 Priority Deadlines

    First-Year fall semester applicants are encouraged to complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA by March 1, if possible.

    Transfer applicants for the fall should complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA by July 1, although Illinois residents should do so by May 1, to help ensure consideration for limited IL MAP Grant funds. 

    Applications are accepted after these dates, but available funding may be less.

    Spring 2024 Process

    Step 1. Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA ("Free Application for Federal Student Aid")


    Step 2. (Optional) Complete applicable " Special Circumstance Forms" for the correct academic year

    If you believe the FAFSA does not give an accurate picture of your family's financial situation, review the "special circumstance forms" and submit all that are applicable. Feel free to contact our office to determine if they will affect your financial aid eligibility.


    Step 3. Complete other required forms
    , if directed to do so. 

    Details of additional documents may be included within your Award Letter, your student portal, or my.lakeforest.edu.

    Spring 2024 Priority Deadlines

    Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA and any other forms by December 1 if possible.

    Late applications will be accepted.

    Students entering in January should also plan to submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA available in December 2023.

    What Happens Next
    • The federal student aid processing center will send an email confirming that your FAFSA was received, and then, a few days later, an email will tell you that your FAFSA has been processed. The second email will provide a link to a Student Aid Report or “SAR” which summarizes your application. Review this for accuracy and make any necessary corrections. 
    • Did you (or your parent) not sign the FAFSA? Click here
    • Create a file folder to keep all financial aid documents (ID #s, FSA IDs, confirmation pages, SAR, etc.).
    • Our office will receive your FAFSA results within seven days of being processed.
    • If the initial FAFSA you submitted included estimated values, correct those values after your / your parents’ tax return is completed (see “Data Retrieval Tool” under Helpful Tools in the right column).
    • If you have been admitted to the College, we will prepare an Award Letter showing all financial aid you qualify to receive. This is sent by email to you and your parent, and -at a later time- by regular mail. Be sure to review important details on the page “How to Read Your Award Letter.
    • Provide any documentation we require, listed in Part 4 (pg 2) of the award letter. Many are found here. Most can be scanned/emailed, faxed or mailed. See “Contact” in the column on the right.
    • Watch a video summary of “what happens next.”

    We recommend you complete the FAFSA...

    • if cost will be factor in your enrollment
    • even if you do not think you will qualify or haven't qualified in prior years
    • even if you have not yet applied or been admitted to a College
    • even if you have not completed the tax return that is used (ex: 2022 used on the 2024-25 FAFSA)

    Helpful Tools  


    Need More Help ?

    • Use the online help within each page of the FAFSA
    • Call the Federal Student Aid Info Center 800-433-3243 / 319-337-5665
    • Call the Office of Financial Aid at 847-735-5010  or  -5103

    Contact Financial Aid

    Phone and Fax

    847-735-5103
    finaid@lakeforest.edu

    Location

    Patterson Lodge, 2nd Floor
    Middle Campus, Map

    Hours

    Monday-Friday
    8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    FINANCIAL AID STAFF

    Jerry Cebrzynski
    Associate Vice President for Financial Aid
    847-735-5104
    cebrzynski@lakeforest.edu

    Mark Anderson
    Associate Director
    847-735-5010
    anderson@lakeforest.edu

    Adriana Rodriguez
    Associate Director for Financial Aid Operations
    VA Certifying Official
    847-735-5015
    rodriguez@lakeforest.edu

    Si necesita hablar con alguien en español en la oficina de ayuda financiera, usted puede llamar a Adriana Rodriguez.