Money Matters

2003-04 Academic Year
Tuition/Fees*	$19,610
Room & Board	$6,105
Total PLU Cost	$25,715

*The amount for Room and Board shown is an average cost. Prices will vary depending on the meal plan and room type you select. For students attending part-time, tuition costs will be charged per credit on the following scale: $612 per credit.

Financial Aid
At PLU, our goal is to create a partnership that is financially feasible for you and your family. Financial assistance from PLU, a combination of parent and student resources, payment options and careful planning can make PLU affordable.

What is financial aid?
Financial aid is money from federal, state and university resources, as well as alumni, friends and sources independent of PLU. There are four
different kinds of assistance:

1.	Merit-Based Awards-scholarships awarded to recognize academic achievement and leadership. These awards are not based on financial need.
2.	Need-Based Awards-scholarships and grants from PLU as well as state and federal sources. These awards, which do not have to be repaid, are based on financial need and academic ability.
3.	Loans-most are interest-free while you are in school, and a low-interest repayment program begins six to nine months after graduation. Some loans are based on financial need.
4.	Work study-money earned from on- or off-campus approved jobs.

How do I apply for need-based aid?
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the federal form used by all colleges and universities. Required by the federal government, the FAFSA represents an equitable method for determining financial
need. The FAFSA form is available at high schools, community colleges and at PLU. You may submit the FAFSA in one of two ways:

1.	Complete the FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will be provided a confirmation number and pin. Processing should take 72 hours.
2.	Mail the FAFSA form using the envelope included with the form. This processing takes approximately two to four weeks.

When completing the FAFSA, be sure to indicate that you want the results of your analysis sent to PLU (use code 003785). Keep copies of everything you submit.

How does the FAFSA work?
An analysis of your FAFSA determines how much you and your family can afford to contribute to your education. A variety of factors are taken into account: family income, total savings, family size, parents' age (and their
need to save for retirement) and the number of siblings in college at the same time.

Will I qualify?
There is no simple formula to determine if you will be eligible for financial aid. If you have concerns about college costs and you are a
United States citizen or permanent resident you should apply.

What if the amount I receive falls short of the cost?
If the FAFSA analysis determines that the amount you and your family can contribute falls short of the cost to attend PLU, we will make every effort to help you cover the rest of your expenses with financial assistance.

When do I apply for aid and when will I be notified?
You cannot submit the FAFSA until January 1st. Most families apply during January, placing their student in the first round of PLU financial aid awarding. (Please note separate deadlines for the merit- and talent-based scholarships.)
Students who have been accepted for admission and have submitted the FAFSA will receive their financial aid awards on a rolling basis starting in February.

What do I do then?
You must validate your offer of financial aid by signing and returning your PLU award notice. You must also submit a $200 Advance Tuition Payment and the Residential Life Information Form (mailed with the offer of admission) by May 1.

Are there scholarships for which I should apply separately?
Most scholarships are determined from the information in your PLU admission application and your FAFSA. However, there are very
competitive scholarships for which you must apply separately. See the comments on Regents', President's, Artistic Achievement, and National Merit scholarships on the following page. Contact the Financial Aid Office if you are interested in the PLUMS program for matching Christian church sponsored scholarships.

What if my financial circumstances change?
We encourage you to write to the PLU Financial Aid Office if your financial situation has changed since you completed the FAFSA, if there are
special circumstances you feel have not been considered, or if you receive additional scholarships.

If you receive scholarships from sources outside the university, PLU is required by federal regulations to adjust your financial aid package in most cases. Loans and work-study will be adjusted first. Scholarships and grants will be adjusted as a last resort.