How to Apply for Aid

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If you have any questions on Financial Aid at Bethany Lutheran College please feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail.

Priority application deadline: April 15

Step 1: Apply for Federal Student Aid

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Note that the FAFSA includes multiple steps and should be completed as soon as possible after filing Federal Income Tax Return(s).  When completing the FAFSA  Bethany Lutheran College recommends that you apply online for faster processing and that you use the IRS Data Retrieval process to minimize the chance that your application is selected for verification.  The IRS Data Retrieval process is available approximately two weeks after you electronically submit your federal income tax return and 6-8 weeks after mailing a paper federal tax return.  By using the IRS Data Retrieval tool income information will transfer directly from the IRS database to your FAFSA.

• If you choose not to apply online, you can request a paper FAFSA by calling 800-433-3243.

• Be sure to include on your FAFSA the Federal School Codes of all educational institutions to which you have applied for admission. Bethany's Federal School Code is 002337.

Step 2: Complete the Financial Aid Application Process

• Download and print the Bethany Lutheran College 2013-2014 Financial Aid Application and fill it out completely. 

• If your FAFSA is chosen for verification by the FAFSA Central Processor, we will contact you with instructions on how to complete the verification process.

• Mail or fax (507.344.7307) your completed Bethany Financial Aid Application and all necessary supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Office at Bethany.

Step 3: Receive your Aid Award Letter

• We will send you a Financial Aid Award Letter detailing your financial aid package.

• To accept your financial aid award, you must sign and return the included Student Response Form by the stated deadline.

• Please follow all directions included in your financial aid packet to ensure timely disbursements of your student loans and to avoid any possible finance charges.

Step 4: Follow-up

• If your financial aid package includes a loan, you may need to complete additional steps as outlined on our loans page. For certain types of loans, you are required to complete entrance counseling, which ensures that you understand your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. Upon graduation (or leaving school or entering less-than-half-time academic status), you will be required to complete exit counseling, which prepares you for transferring to another school or entering the repayment phase of your loan.