Applying for Aid

The information below is for students who have selected the "early start" option for admission to LMU starting in Summer 2026.

The summer term consists of two 6-week sessions for LMU students. Students attending one or both summer sessions may be eligible to receive financial aid to assist with costs. Students will be notified via their Lion email once their financial aid package is available. 

How to Apply

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have already completed the FAFSA for the 2025-2026 academic year during Fall/Spring, you do not need to complete it again. LMU School's school code is #001234.
• Students must enroll at least half-time (6 units in both sessions combined) to be eligible for federal Title IV financial aid during the summer. 
• Once your summer financial aid award is available, you will receive an email notification to your Lion email address. You can view, accept, or decline your award on PROWL via MYLMU. Please note that enrollment changes may result in adjustments to your financial aid award, including potential reductions or cancellations of Federal Direct Loans and institutional awards.

Types of Financial Aid

Summer Pell Grant

Available to undergraduate degree-seeking students.

To be eligible for a summer Pell Grant, you must:

• Have completed a 2025-2026 FAFSA
• Be Pell Grant eligible
• Be enrolled in at least six summer units.
• Be an undergraduate student who has not earned a first bachelor’s degree before the start of the summer session.

If you are eligible for a Summer Pell Grant, you will be automatically awarded when you enroll in summer courses.

Federal Direct Student Loans

To determine your Federal Direct Loan eligibility, refer to the information below for the maximum loan amount available for your grade level at the beginning of summer. You are eligible for the difference between what you have already borrowed during the 2025-2026 academic year and the Federal Direct Loan maximum for your grade level as determined at LMU.

The Annual (Fall/Spring) Federal Direct Student Loan maximums for dependent students are listed below. 

• First-Year: $5,500
• Sophomore: $6,500
• Junior/Senior: $7,500
• Non-degree Credential (in eligible programs): $7,500 - $12,500
• Graduate degree-seeking: $20,500

Independent undergraduate students are eligible to receive additional Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan funds (First Year & Sophomore: $4,000 additional; Junior & Senior: $5,000 additional).

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

Your parent may apply to borrow a Federal Direct PLUS Loan to cover your summer charges if you are an eligible dependent undergraduate student, have completed a 2025-2026 FAFSA, plan to enroll at least half-time, and your parents meet the credit requirements.

New and existing Parent PLUS loan borrowers must complete a Summer Parent PLUS loan application on studentaid.gov, select award year "2025-2026" and award period May 2026 - August 2026. 

After your parent submits all required application materials, upon notification of credit approval, and upon completion of a promissory note, we will add the loan to your summer financial aid award. Students whose parents are denied the Federal Direct PLUS Loan may apply for an additional Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan by submitting a Summer Revision Request Form. 

Private Loans

If you are interested in borrowing from an Alternative Private loan program, you may review lending options on ELMSelect. Most lenders require a good credit history or co-signer. Please visit our section on Private Alternative Loans or contact LMU Financial Aid to speak with a financial aid counselor. We encourage you to maximize all federal loan opportunities before seeking an Alternative Private Loan.

Award Notifications

LMU Financial Aid will begin processing summer financial aid awards in March. You will receive your summer award notification via your LMU Lion email account. Your financial award will be available to view on myLMU. Please review the checklist below to ensure your financial aid is available to you before summer courses begin.

Students are required to accept or decline all summer awards, including work awards.

Award Checklist

• Accept or decline your award via myLMU.  Summer financial aid award offers will be posted in the current academic year in PROWL (Financial Aid Year 2025-2026).
• If you are applying for a Parent PLUS loan, your parent borrower must apply for a summer Loan on  https://studentaid.gov/ Select period May 2026 - August 2026 and Loan Year 2025-2026. 
• First-time borrowers should complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling at https://studentaid.gov/.

Cancellations, Withdrawals, and Return of Title IV Funds

Cancellations and Withdrawals

The policies for adding and dropping courses during the summer term are more stringent than the Fall and Spring terms because the summer term consists of two sessions within one term. Dropping below half-time or dropping courses for session II after session I has ended may result in LMU Financial Aid being required to return part of your federal aid funds to the Department of Education, or a reduction of your Federal Direct grants and/or loans. This may result in a balance due to the university, which is the student's responsibility to pay.

Please be aware of the withdrawal policies before you enroll in summer courses. If you receive financial aid and subsequently cancel or withdraw from the University, LMU may be required to return all or a portion of the aid you received. The actual returned amount will be based on published schedules and the date you officially withdrew or canceled your registration. If you cancel or withdraw, notify LMU Financial Aid immediately.

Summer Session Withdrawal Policy              

The summer term consists of two sessions (I and II) that combined make up the summer term. When students enroll in both sessions but fail to attend the second session without officially withdrawing or dropping the session, they are considered to have withdrawn from the entire summer term (both sessions included), and a Return of Title IV funds must be performed. If a student drops a course in session II while still attending session I, the student is NOT considered to have withdrawn based on not attending the later session. However, a recalculation of aid based on the change in enrollment status may be required. If federal aid has already been disbursed to the student’s account, the recalculation may create a balance due. If a student withdraws, officially or unofficially, from a current module session and is NOT attending any other courses at the time of the withdrawal, the student is considered withdrawn and a repayment calculation will be completed. Students enrolled in future session courses are required to submit written confirmation of their intent to attend those courses. Written confirmation should be submitted at the time of withdrawal but no later than five business days from the date the student was determined to be withdrawn or dropped from a course.

How a Withdrawal Affects Financial Aid

Students who do not begin attendance in classes are not eligible for federal financial aid and must repay all aid originally received.

NOTE: LMU's institutional tuition refund policy is separate from federal regulations for returning unearned federal aid. Please visit the Student Account website for details on LMU's institutional refund policy. 

Students Enrolled in Sessions 

A student is considered withdrawn if the student does not complete all of the days in the payment period that the student was scheduled to complete. If a student withdraws from a course in a later session while still attending a current session, the student is not considered withdrawn based on not attending the later session. However, a recalculation of aid based on the change in enrollment status may be required.

If a student provides written notice to LMU Financial Aid at the time of withdrawal from a current session that the student plans to attend a later session in the same payment period (or term), the student is not considered a withdrawal. If the student does not provide written confirmation, the R2T4 recalculation of aid will be performed, and aid may be returned. However, if the student does return in a later session in the same payment period (or term), regardless of whether prior written confirmation was received, the R2T4 process will be reversed, and the student will be awarded the funds that they are eligible to receive at the time of return.

When do I earn all federal aid awarded?

Once the 49% point in the semester is reached, a student is considered to have earned all of the financial aid awarded at the time of withdrawal and will not be required to return any funds. 

Deadlines and Notifications

Completing the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application

Prospective students who are U.S. citizens and are seeking need-based financial aid (grants, work-study, and loans) are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Prospective students who are non-citizens, residents of the state of California, and attending a California-based high school can review the California Dream Act Application section below for information about the California Dream Act Application. 

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

All need-based financial aid and other aid types are determined in whole or in part by the information submitted as part of a student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students can submit their FAFSA to LMU even prior to applying for admission. LMU Financial Aid recommends applying for aid as soon as possible.  FAFSA information is only processed by LMU after a student receives an offer of admission.

• LMU's Federal School Code: 001234
• Students must complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa 
• In order to electronically sign your FAFSA, you and a parent will need an FSA ID. Create an FSA ID
• Prospective students must complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the state of California's March 2, 2026 deadline. 

California Dream Act/AB 540 Application (CA Dream Act Application)

• The California Dream Act allows students who meet the AB 540 criteria to apply for state aid as well as be considered for institutional aid. However, completing this application does not guarantee you will receive institutional aid.
• You can find more information about the California Dream Act and how to apply at the California Student Aid Commission's website here.
• To be considered for the Cal Grant and institutional aid you must also complete the Affidavit of Immigration Status.
• If you have completed the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), please notify LMU Financial Aid by emailing us at finaid@lmu.edu or calling our office at 310-338-2753.  Make sure to provide your full name, LMU ID number, and the date your application was completed.
• Prospective students must complete the 2026-2027 California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the state of California's March 2, 2026 deadline to be considered for the Cal Grant.

Prospective Students who are California Residents - Complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form

The Cal Grant is awarded annually for applicants who qualify each year.

First-Year Applicants:

• Submit the 2026-2027 Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by the state of California's March 2, 2026, deadline
• Most California high schools are required to automatically submit the GPA Verification form for their students, but it is your responsibility to confirm the GPA Verification filing process at your school.
  • Download the 2026-2027 Cal Grant GPA Verification Form from the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) website. Fill out the student portion of the form and sign it. Ask the college counseling staff at the school you currently attend or most recently attended to complete the form. 
  • Make a copy for your records and mail the original to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
  • If your school does not automatically submit the GPA Verification Form, please follow these steps:
    • In addition to the GPA Verification form, students must also complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by March 2, 2026.

Transfer Applicants:

• If you were previously enrolled at a California Community College, submit your Community College Cal Grant GPA Verification Form to California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by March 2, 2026.
• Complete the Transfer Entitlement Certification Form (G-6) and submit it to CSAC by March 2, 2026. (Check CSAC's website for availability)
• Submit an Official Copy of your High School Transcripts to LMU Transfer Admission.
• If any additional information or documentation is required to complete your financial aid application, LMU Financial Aid will notify you or your parent(s) via the Admission portal.
• Submission of all requested documents and forms within 10 days of them being requested via the Admission portal will ensure faster application processing.

Note: LMU Financial Aid will communicate with you once you are admitted, and we will use the email address provided on your admission application and/or FAFSA/CADAA application. Please be sure to provide an active email account and check it regularly for important announcements.

All students are automatically considered for merit scholarships as part of the admission process; no separate application is necessary for merit scholarships. Students seeking admission for the Spring 2027 term who wish to be considered for additional need-based financial aid awards must complete the following steps:

Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• LMU's Federal School Code: 001234
• Students must complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
• In order to electronically sign your FAFSA, you and a parent will need an FSA ID. Create an FSA ID
• To ensure that you receive timely notification of your LMU financial aid award, complete your FAFSA by the priority deadline applicable to your admission period: 

Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines Based on Admission Status: 

Step 2: California Residents ONLY - Complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form

The Cal Grant is awarded annually for applicants who qualify.

First-Year Applicants:

• The 2026-2027 Cal Grant GPA Verification Form must have been submitted to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by March 2, 2026, the state of California's deadline to be eligible for the Cal Grant for Spring 2027.
• In addition to the GPA Verification form, students must also have completed the 2026-2027 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application prior to March 2, 2026. 

Transfer Applicants:

• If you were previously enrolled at a California Community College, submit your Community College Cal Grant GPA Verification Form to California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
• Complete the Transfer Entitlement Certification Form (G-6) and submit it to CSAC. (Check CSAC's website for availability)
• Submit an Official Copy of your High School Transcripts to LMU's Transfer Admission.
• If any additional information or documentation is required to complete your financial aid application, LMU Financial Aid will notify you or your parent(s) via PROWL.
• Submission of all requested documents and forms within 10 days of them being requested via PROWL will ensure faster application processing.

Note: LMU Financial Aid will communicate with you once you are admitted, and we will use the email address provided on your admission application and/or FAFSA application. Please be sure to provide an active email account and check it regularly for important announcements.