There are several steps you must complete in order to apply for financial aid. Follow these steps and you will be on your way to completing the process.

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at http://www.fafsa.gov/.  If you have filed your Federal taxes on-line and two weeks have passed, use the IRS Data Retrieval option offered in the FAFSA submission process to download the data elements from your filed tax return to your FAFSA (both student and parent, if applicable).  This will save time and insure accuracy. The Lindenwood University school code is 002480.  Your application must be completed by March 15 to be considered for maximum assistance.

Click for Borrower Entrance Counseling

2. First-time Lindenwood University Borrower Entrance Counseling: Any new LU borrower who wants to apply for a student loan must complete entrance counseling. The entrance counseling session is quick and easy and will provide useful tips and tools to help you manage your educational expenses. This online session will take about 20-30 minutes to complete. Lindenwood University will be notified electronically once your session is complete.

Click for Borrower Master Promissory Note

3. Master Promissory Note (MPN): Once you have completed the entrance counseling session it will be necessary for you to complete a Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note. Upon completion, Lindenwood University will be notified electronically of your application.




4. Alternative Loans: A Federal Direct Loan may not provide enough financing to meet your educational expenses. An alternative/private loan can play a major role to fill the gap. If you are considering an alternative/private loan to supplement your educational expenses, first be sure you have maximized all your aid eligibility under the federal aid programs.

Alternative/private loans are credit based and in most cases, a credit worthy co-signer is required for approval. Recently passed legislation requires lenders to provide several detailed loan disclosures to the borrower and co-borrower. Most lenders will require one or more of these disclosures to be completed and mailed back to them. This requirement may cause a delay in the overall process.

Alternative/private loans should be considered as a last resort.

Below is a historical list of lenders who continue to participate in the Alternative/Private Loan Program. Lindenwood University does not endorse any lender. Research your lender options before you select the lender of your choice.

	Lender Name		Alternative Loan Program Name
	Alaska Student Loan Corp. (AK Residents Only)		Alaska Supplemental Loan
	Alaska Student Loan Corp. (AK Residents Only)		Alaska Winn Brindle Loan
	Anheuser-Busch Employees CU/American Eagle Div.		Anheuser-Busch Emp CU PEL
	CEFCU Private Student Loan   • CEFCU Application Disclosure		CEFCU Private Student Loan
	Commerce Bank   • SOSL Application Disclosure		Smart Option Student Loan
	cuStudentLoans   • cuStudentLoans Application Disclosure		cu Private Student Loan
	Discover Student Loans   • Discover Application Disclosure		Discover Private Education Ln.
	Fifth Third Bank   • SOSL Application Disclosure		Smart Option Student Loan
	JSTC Employees Credit Union   • JSTC Application Disclosure		JSTC Studentchoice Private Loan
	Nellie Mae, A Sallie Mae Company   • SOSL Application Disclosure		Smart Option Student Loan
	PNC Solution Loan   • PNC Application Disclosure		PNC Solution Undergraduates
	Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union		Suncoast FCU Student Loans
	Regions Bank   • SOSL Application Disclosure		Smart Option Student Loan
	Sallie Mae   • SOSL Application Disclosure		Smart Option Student Loan
	United Federal Credit Union		United FCU Private Ed Loan
	Wells Fargo EFS   • Wells Fargo Application Disclosure		Wells Fargo Collegiate Loan

Once you have chosen a lender and completed the application process, Lindenwood University will be notified electronically of your request for an alternative/private loan. We will not certify eligibility for the alternative/private loan until your financial aid and admissions file is complete and your federal/state aid has been processed.


5. Other Forms: Every application is reviewed individually and may require additional information or the completion of additional documents. The Office of Financial Aid will notify you by mail of the necessary documents needed to complete the verification process. You can click and download some of the forms you might need.

6. Apply Early: The most important factor when applying for financial aid is to apply early. We recommend you file your FAFSA no later than March 15 to ensure you meet the access Mo. Grant deadline of April 1. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid if you need any assistance or have questions.