253.535.7134
www.plu.edu/~faid
finaid@plu.edu
The offer of financial aid is based on the cost of
attendance, which is the university's estimate of how much it costs
students in various circumstances to attend PLU. A student's resources
are subtracted from the projected costs to determine financial need. Several different budgets are used, taking into
account a student's tuition, the cost of books, supplies, housing,
food, transportation, and personal expenses. Parents' contributions are computed for all
dependent students by the federal processor. It is based on a federally
established formula for determining parental ability to contribute
toward a student's education. The university also expects students (and
their spouses, if married) to contribute toward expenses. All applicants are offered the maximum amount of aid for which they qualify, as funds permit. If financial circumstances change, students may
contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss their situation with a
financial aid administrator at any time. If students or their families have unusual
circumstances (such as loss of employment or major medical expenses)
that might affect the need for student financial aid, the Financial Aid
Office should be contacted. Unusual circumstances must be described in
writing, with the student's name, student ID number, and all pertinent
dollar amounts indicated. Students who receive scholarships from sources
outside the university must inform the Financial Aid Office in writing
with the name of the scholarship and the yearly amount. In most cases,
PLU may be required by federal regulations to adjust a financial aid
package. Loans and work study will be adjusted first. Scholarships and
grants will be adjusted only as a last resort. Financial assistance is available to all qualified
students regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, national
origin, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual
orientation, or any other status protected by law.
Recognizing that many students who want to
attend Pacific Lutheran University would be unable to meet all expenses
of enrollment from personal or family sources, the university attempts
to provide financial assistance to all eligible students. Any student
approved for enrollment or currently enrolled may request financial
aid. Approximately 90 percent of the university's students receive help in the
form of gift assistance (that is, scholarships, artistic achievement
awards, or grants), low-interest deferred loans, or employment. In many
cases a financial aid award will be a combination of these forms of
assistance.