Financial Aid

LIOS students may apply for financial aid. The Financial Aid Office is located at Bastyr University and manages the financial aid process. To request a financial aid packet and/or to speak to someone in financial aid, please contact Susan Farley at 425.602.3082. The primary source of aid is the Federal Stafford loan. Graduate students can receive up to $18,500 per school year in Stafford loans. This amount covers most of the tuition, fees and module costs at LIOS and usually offers the lowest interest rates available. The ability to receive a Stafford loan is not income-sensitive, so most students are eligible. Sometimes students’ financial needs are greater than the amount of the Stafford loan, so there are also private educational loans available through various financial institutions.

The Finance Office is located at LIOS and oversees tuition and other fees, payment plans/contracts and student accounts. Contact: Louise Donaldson, 425.939.8134.

Applying for Financial Aid

It is ideal to apply for financial aid at least two months before school begins. However if you are admitted right before the term, it is still okay to apply but you are encouraged to get the applications in before school starts. Financial Aid Application deadlines: Suggested deadlines are in place to help you secure any financial aid that you may be eligible for prior to the start of school. Payment for your first quarter is due on the first day of module.

Fall 2007 start: September 5, 2007

  • First priority: Financial Aid applications received by Wednesday, July 11, 2007
  • Second priority: Financial Aid applications received by Wednesday, August 8, 2007
  • Third priority: Financial Aid applications received after August 9, 2007

Winter 2008 start: January 16, 2008

  • First priority: Financial Aid applications received by Wednesday, November 14, 2007
  • Second priority: Financial Aid applications received by Wednesday, December 5, 2007
  • Third priority: Financial aid applications received after December 6, 2007

There are two steps to apply:

  1. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov and include Bastyr/LIOS school code 016059.
  2. Complete the Bastyr Financial Aid Application which you can download at www.bastyr.edu.

Bastyr can mail you a packet that includes both the FAFSA and Bastyr Financial Aid Application. Please contact Susan Farley at 425.602.3082 for more information and assistance. Susan will be glad to discuss financial aid options with you.

All applications for student loans should be sent to: Bastyr University Financial Aid Office 14500 Juanita Drive NE Kenmore, Washington 98028 It is important for students to apply for aid as early as possible to avoid financial hardship and/or losing their place in the program. The process can take as long as 10-12 weeks. We suggest students track the loan process diligently, following up regularly with the financial aid office.

The financial aid office can provide students with the estimated amount of aid prior to receipt of the award letter. If there is a gap between the anticipated level of aid and total tuition and fees, the student is responsible for paying the difference to LIOS according to the selected payment plan schedule.

An official award letter may be presented to LIOS and be considered as a promissory note even though the actual payments may be deferred until the aid checks are disbursed.

If the official award letter is not presented by the first day of class, LIOS will look to the student to provide alternative payment according to the payment plan s/he selected and sign a promissory note. Students who apply early for student loans and track the process with the financial aid office regularly have a greater chance of avoiding this difficulty.

All students who receive student loans must participate in the required student loan entrance interview before their loan payment can be released, and before they can attend their first class. In addition, they must attend an exit interview before the end of their program. LIOS and Bastyr University will arrange these interviews.

Full financial aid will not be available to students who fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress according to LIOS requirements. Some students may be eligible for a supplemental loan. These loans are based on need and are awarded up to $20,000 for reasonable educational expenses. These loans require two applications: a credit application with the lender and a special form for the financial aid office. Please contact Susan Farley for more information.

Educational Deferments

If you have prior educational loans that are in repayment, you should note the following:

  • If you have prior Stafford loans and you are borrowing from the same lender and guarantor, the new loan application also serves to update your records and the lender will know that you are in school.
  • But, if your old loans were sold to a secondary market like Sallie Mae, borrowing from the same lender may not result in notice to Sallie Mae. You may need to file an In-School Deferment Request.
  • If you’ve switched lenders, you will have to inform all old lenders that you are in school or they will continue to bill you. In both of these cases, complete section I of the In-School Deferment request form that is included in your loan packet, or call the Financial Aid office at (425) 602-3082 and request as many forms as you need. Send the completed form(s) to the Registrar's office at Bastyr.
  • If your prior loans are Perkins loans or National Direct Loans that you borrowed from other colleges or universities, contact the schools for the required forms. If you encounter problems with your prior loans, call Carol Duke at 425.602.3083.
  • Students receiving financial aid must participate in an exit interview. Interviews are coordinated by the university.

Exceptions All withdrawing students will be charged a $100 administrative fee. Aid recipients must repay 100 percent of aid received if they do not begin a quarter for which aid was received. Students who begin a module and then withdraw or fail to notify LIOS in time for a room to be canceled are responsible for the actual room and board charges at the module. Course materials are developed on a per quarter basis, and, once distributed, are not subject to refund. If a student has been denied aid for failure to maintain satisfactory progress after an appeal process that extends into the beginning of a subsequent quarter, the student will be afforded the opportunity to make a 100% retroactive withdrawal with a full refund of tuition obligations. The student will, however, still be responsible for room and board charges incurred at the module. The technology fee is non-refundable.

Enrollment Status

A student must be enrolled at least half-time to receive financial aid. The following definition is used to determine financial aid enrollment status:

Full Time

9 or more credits

Half Time

5-8 credits

Financial Aid Holds

Holds are placed on financial aid for a number of reasons. Holds may be placed if the student has failed to turn in a required financial aid document or has not yet received a loan entrance interview. Aid funds will be disbursed when the reason for the hold is satisfied. Holds are also placed on financial aid funds at any time when the student’s satisfactory progress is in question. The purpose of the hold is to provide the time for a determination of the student’s academic standing and to allow for any appeal of a decision to deny aid eligibility.

Leave of Absence (LOA)

LIOS students who receive federal financial aid have a maximum leave of absence (for financial aid purposes only) of 60 days. The 60 days begin with the last day of attendance. If a leave is for longer than 60 days, the Office of Financial Aid must cancel any remaining aid disbursements and report the student as out of school from the last actual day of attendance. Further information about taking a leave of absence is located under Academic Administration Policies.

Satisfactory Progress Requirements (Financial Aid Only)

Continuing aid eligibility requires satisfactory academic progress. The general University requirement is that students must satisfactorily complete 75% of all credits attempted. Students falling below this standard will be placed on financial aid probation, and then the student must pass 75% in the next quarter and demonstrate an ability to address the prior academic deficiency. In addition, students must meet the academic requirements of the specific academic program. Academic probation is also financial aid probation. Students who are required to retake course work that was previously covered by financial aid awards are normally responsible for paying for all costs attached to the repeated course work. Students may appeal the loss of financial aid based on incorrect information or special circumstances. An appeals committee consisting of the LIOS director of academic administration, the director of financial aid, and the University dean of students will accept written appeals and may, at their discretion, hold an in-person hearing. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.