Financial Aid application forms for
Online management Undergraduates

The steps below outline the financial aid application process for bachelor's degree-seeking students in the Online Management Program, and provides links to any forms you may need to submit. For forms specific to any other adult or off campus undergraduate programs, please click here. For Lesley College's on campus programs, click here. Don't hesitate to contact the Office of Financial Aid if you have questions or would like assistance with any part of the process!

Step 1: FAFSA and Institutional Application

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application you submit to the U.S. Department of Education. It is used to determine your eligibility for all types of federal aid, and authorizes Lesley University to disburse funds to you. Lesley also uses the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for institutional need-based grants. For the fastest service, we recommend that you apply online. Please include Lesley University's school code (002160) so that our office can receive it electronically. Don't forget, this form must be filled out each year to renew your financial aid eligibility!

All LC Online Students must complete both the FAFSA and the Institutional Financial Aid Application to be considered for Financial Aid.

• FAFSA Application Form - For the 2009-2010 Academic Year (August 2009 - August 2010), please complete a 2009-2010 FAFSA.
• LC Online Institutional Financial Aid Application 2009-2010 [pdf]
• LC Online Institutional Financial Aid Application 2008-2009 [pdf]

When do I apply?

New students: We recommend applying for aid at the same time as applying for admission. Although we cannot consider you for aid until you are accepted into a program, applying simultaneously will ensure that your materials are ready for processing once you are admitted into Lesley University.

Returning students: We recommend applying for financial aid at least 4 weeks prior to the due date of your first bill of the academic year, to provide sufficient processing time for your financial aid to be deducted from your bill. Bills are due the 15th of the month prior to the start of classes.

We continue to accept applications throughout the academic year on a rolling basis, but please note that your state may have a deadline to file your FAFSA for state grant and scholarship eligibility. The Massachusetts deadline is May 1.

Step 2: Verification and Other Required Documents

After receiving your FAFSA, we will contact you by mail and by email if additional documents are necessary to complete your application. If you have been officially accepted to your academic program, you can also view a list of your required documents on the Lesley Online Information System (LOIS), under the "My Documents" link on the Students menu.

Many students are required to complete a process called verification, which involves submitting your tax returns and other information used in completing the FAFSA to our office. If you are selected for verification, there is no cause for concern! About 30% of students are selected for this process on a random basis by the Department of Education.

Please fill out either the Dependent or Independent Verification Worksheet based on which one we have requested from you. If you are unsure of which one you need to complete or if you feel we have asked you for the incorrect version please contact our office with any questions.

• 2009-2010 Verification Forms (for the August 2009 - August 2010 Academic Year)
  • Dependent Verification Worksheet [pdf] - attach signed copies of your parent(s)' 2008 federal tax return (if they filed) and W-2s, as well as your 2008 federal tax return (if you filed) and W-2s.
  • Independent Verification Worksheet [pdf] - attach signed copies of your 2008 federal tax return (if you filed), as well as all W-2s for yourself and your spouse if applicable.

• 2008-2009 Verification Forms (for the March 2009 - August 2009 Academic Year)
  • Dependent Verification Worksheet [pdf] - attach signed copies of your parent(s)' 2007 federal tax return (if they filed) and W-2s, as well as your 2007 federal tax return (if you filed) and W-2s.
  • Independent Verification Worksheet [pdf] - attach signed copies of your 2007 federal tax return (if you filed), as well as all W-2s for yourself and your spouse if applicable.

Other Forms

The forms below may be requested when more detail or clarification is needed for your Financial Aid Application. Please do not submit any of these forms unless you have received a letter or email from our office specifically requesting them. Submitting documents that we do not require could needlessly lengthen the application process.

Step 3: Award Letter, Award Acceptance

Once we have reviewed your FAFSA and all other documents requested by our office, we will send you a Financial Aid Award Letter. For more information on the types of aid that may be included on this award letter, and the terms and conditions of your award, please follow the links below:

• Types of Aid for Online Management Students
• 2009-2010 Award Guide [pdf]
• 2009-2010 Award Guide Insert [pdf]
• 2008-2009 Award Guide [pdf]

We assume that you want any need-based grants that have been offered, and you don't have to accept these awards. However, any loans that you have been offered will require additional steps before they can be credited to your student account.

• Completing your Federal Stafford Loan Process

Please take note of the expected enrollment per semester listed on your Financial Aid Award Letter. The amounts offered on your Award Letter are based on that enrollment (which was reported by you on your LC Online Institutional Financial Aid Application). If your enrollment plans change, you must notify our office immediately, because your financial aid eligibility may be jeopardized.

Step 4: Disbursement of Funds (Getting the Money)

Financial aid for a given semester is credited to your student account ("disbursed") after the add/drop period for each semester has ended. The Financial Aid Office confirms your enrollment before disbursing your aid. In order to receive your maximum eligibility for federal and state grants, you must register for all classes, including independent studies, and must have submitted any required consortium agreements before the end of each semester’s add/drop period.

Your financial aid is used first to pay your tuition, fees, and any other direct charges that you owe the university for the given semester. Any remaining funds will be mailed to you in the form of a refund check by the Student Accounts Office approximately 10 days after the disbursement date. Please take these dates into account if you are planning to use financial aid towards living expenses.

If you are awarded financial aid after your disbursement date has passed, your funds will be disbursed as soon as possible once all requirements have been completed by you.