Financial Assistance
Financial aid is available to all qualified students. Financial need may be met through a combination of state, federal, and institutional aid. Federal grants are outlined elsewhere in this catalog. Institutional awards and grants are offered in the areas of academics, leadership, athletics, and the fine arts.
The Lindenwood University-Belleville financial aid program provides assistance to students with financial needs who would otherwise be unable to receive an education. Financial need is calculated as the difference between the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution from the student and parent(s). The primary responsibility for paying the student’s education expenses rests with the student and the student's family, and the university expects both the student and parent(s) to make a realistic contribution to meet these costs; financial aid is a supplement for those students and families who cannot afford the entire cost of a university education.
Financial aid is provided in the form of an award, grant, or loan and/or work funds that will help meet this need. What the student is expected to pay is determined by a standard analysis of the financial statement the student and family must file. Lindenwood University-Belleville uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for all Title IV and institutional assistance. Upon completion of all documentation necessary to establish eligibility, financial assistance will be posted to students’ accounts at least once each term. To be considered for financial assistance, a student applying for need-based aid must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Lindenwood University school code is 002480. If students have any questions about their SAR (Student Aid Report), they are encouraged to call 1-800-433-3243. Lindenwood does not require students to fill out supplementary fee-based forms to determine eligibility for institutional financial aid.
All students wishing to receive Title IV aid must submit a valid set of Student Aid Reports or a valid ISIR (Institutional Student Information Record), which results from the processing of the FAFSA, and must complete any required verification.
The mission of the Lindenwood University grant system is to make it possible for the student to earn a college degree when that aspiration would otherwise be financially prohibitive for the student. In short, the Lindenwood University grant system (institutional merit and need-based gift aid) is intended to fill a funding gap and enable a student with need to pursue a college education. The "gap" is the difference between the total cost of tuition, room, board, and fees, and the sum of all personal and outside funding available to the student. The intent is for Lindenwood and the student to share equitably in covering the cost of the student's college education.
A variety of scholarships and grants are awarded to students who have excelled in fields of study, community activities, the arts, or athletic competitions. Lindenwood University's admissions and financial aid staff can advise prospective students of the full program of grant and scholarship availability. Although Lindenwood University grants and scholarships are credited in total at the beginning of each term, they are actually earned as charges are incurred.
Lindenwood University encourages students to apply for any outside scholarships for which they may be eligible. Scholarships or tuition benefits from outside private and non-profit institutions or organizations are another way to help finance undergraduate education. Students must report all anticipated outside resources, including scholarships, grants, fellowships, tuition benefits, veteran benefits, or any other type of financial resources to the Office of Admissions. Lindenwood admissions/student financial services representatives can advise prospective students and families of the policies and procedures regarding grants and scholarships.
In certain cases, outside awards may reduce eligibility for other financial aid or loans. Under NCAA rules, athletes must report the reason for their external awards, whether given based on athletic ability or based on some other criteria, such as academic merit or interest, non-athletic talent, ethnicity, residency, employment affiliation, etc. In certain circumstances, NCAA student-athletes may not be eligible to accept outside awards.
In no case may the total award exceed the cost of attendance (room, board, tuition, books, and fees). When a student becomes eligible for additional outside support above the cost of attendance, that revenue reduces institutional merit or need-based grants. Scholarship checks received by the Office of Admissions will be distributed to the current term of enrollment, unless otherwise indicated in writing by the donating organization.
Lindenwood University currently applies institution-granted scholarships/grants to student accounts in the following order: 1) tuition, 2) fees, 3) books, 4) room, and 5) board. If a student receives scholarships during the calendar year that exceed the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment, the amount that exceeds those costs should be reported by the student as taxable income. The university is required to send information to students and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about the student’s tuition charges, grants, and scholarships on Form 1098T. Students are responsible for using this information as well as their own records to complete their tax returns.
Non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent resident aliens may be subject to U.S. taxation. The university uses the GLACIER Online Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance System to gather required information about international students in order to facilitate the tax-withholding determination. Any portion of institution granted scholarships/grants that exceed the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment may be subject to a taxation rate of up to 14 percent for students who have an F, M, J, or Q visa, while all other visa types may be subject to a taxation rate of up to 30 percent. Non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent resident aliens may contact the non-resident employee compliance specialist at (636) 219-1273 to discuss questions about GLACIER or taxation.
A variety of scholarships are awarded to students who have excelled in fields of study, community activities, the arts, or athletic competition. Lindenwood University-Belleville’s admissions counselors can advise prospective students of the full program of scholarship availability. Although Lindenwood University-Belleville scholarships and grants are credited in total at the beginning of each term, they are actually earned as tuition and room and board charges are incurred.
Lindenwood University-Belleville undergraduate grants/scholarships are intended for and may only be used for undergraduate programs; they are not intended for and may not be used for graduate programs.
Lindenwood University-Belleville offers a 50-percent scholarship to all persons age 60 and over. The university also offers partial institutional grants for employees of selected companies, municipalities, and school systems. These grants may only be applied toward courses taken for credit and do not apply to courses that are audited. Any other funding may first replace the Lindenwood University-Belleville funding. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the admissions counselor of eligibility for Lindenwood University-Belleville grants.
Lindenwood University employs students through regular part-time and full-time jobs and through the
Federal Work Study Program. Jobs are offered at 10, 15, and 20 hours per week for part-time workers, and 40 hours per week for full-time workers. Some student worker opportunities are skill-based, and others are on a first- come, first-served basis. Wages vary by position and skill level.
Lindenwood’s student worker program operates on a three-tier model. Each tier is designed to serve a particular function, and students are paid an hourly wage in accordance with the tier within which they are hired. Employment lengths vary by position. Lindenwood University is an at-will employer, and student employees may be released prior to their service end date without cause or notice.
Student workers are paid on a bi-weekly payroll cycle and receive their checks through direct deposit. All student workers will be required to set up a payment plan with the Student Financial Services Office within five days of their hire date. Those who fail to do so will not be eligible to participate in the program.
To be considered for the student worker program, students must be admitted into the university, enrolled in classes, and on good standing with the university.