Who qualifies for financial assistance?

At Bethany Lutheran College, over 95% of students are eligible for need-based assistance or merit-based scholarships.

How much financial assistance is available to me personally?

To get a personalized estimate of your cost to attend Bethany Lutheran College, try our Net Price Calculator.

How do I apply for financial assistance for future years?

Since financial assistance is calculated on an annual basis, you are responsible for completing a new or renewal FAFSA every year. The priority deadline for financial aid applications is May 15. Institutional need-based aid may be reduced for applications received after this date.

If I receive an outside scholarship, will I lose some of my aid?

Bethany Lutheran College's policy regarding outside scholarships is to reduce a student's work-study eligibility or federal loan, but it will generally not reduce the availability of grants or scholarships. This is done both to encourage the search for outside scholarships and to reduce borrowing or time commitments due to student employment.

How do I determine if I can claim independent status?

The Financial Aid Office is required to adhere to the standard criteria defined by the United States Department of Education when determining independent student status. According to this definition, students will be considered an independent if the student meets ANY of the following criteria:

• Were you born before January 1, 1988?

• As of today, are you married? (Also answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.)

• At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, graduate certificate, etc.)?

• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?

• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

• Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012?

• Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2012?

• At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?

• As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?

• As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?

• At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

• At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

• At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?