Q: What are all of the options available to me through financial aid?

 
Answer: Financial Aid Options:

• Pell Grant
• Scholarships
• Federal Plus Loan
• Subsidized Stafford Loan
• Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
• Sallie Mae Career Training Loan
• Sallie Mae Smart Options Loan

Q: How do I apply for a Pell grant?

 
Answer: A Pell grant is money provided to you by the federal government which is applied to your tuition. Anyone applying for a Pell grant must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. You can request the FASFA application from the Financial Aid Office or apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Culinary Institute LeNotre's school code is 037233. In order to complete this form, each applicant must be able to provide the following documentation:

• 1. Proof of Citizenship (birth certificate, US passport, or alien registration card)
• 2. Social Security Number
• 3. W-2 Forms and Other Records of Income Earned
• 4. Tax Return (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, or 1722)
• 5. Your Parents' Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
• 6. Untaxed Income Records (veterans benefits records, child support received, worker's compensation)
• 7. Current Bank Statements
• 8. Current Business and Investment Mortgage Information, Business and Farm Records, Stock, Bond and Other Investment Records
• 9. Driver's License (if any)
• 10. Verification Worksheet (Provided by the FCI)

For more information and to apply, visit the website.

Q: How can I apply for a scholarship?

 
Answer:There are many scholarships available to students seeking a career in the culinary and pastry fields. The requirements to apply for scholarships vary. However, our scholarship list has all the information needed to apply for each one. Please click here to view our scholarships.

Q: Who is considered to be an independent student?

 
Answer: For financial aid purposes the federal government has put together the following questions to determine whether a student is independent or dependent. If you are able to answer "yes" to one or more of these questions, you are considered independent; if not, you are considered dependant.

• 1. Were you born before January 1, 1986?
• 2. At the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program?
• 3. As of today, are you married (answer "yes" if you are separated but not divorced)?
• 4. Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
• 5. Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

If you answered "NO" to all of the questions above, you are considered to be a dependent student and will need to provide your parents' tax information.   

Q: Why do I need my parents' tax information on the FAFSA?

 
Answer: If you are a dependent you do not have sufficient tax information of your own. Dependency status is determined by answering step three on the FASFA application.

Q: What is the benefit of applying for a Stafford loan?

 
Answer: The Federal Stafford Loans serve as a helpful tool to assist students with covering the cost of tuition. The benefits are as follows:

Subsidized Stafford Loans are federally guaranteed loans based on financial need. Interest does not accrue on the loan while you are in school at least part time, or during any future deferment periods. The federal government "subsidizes" (or pays) the interest during these times. Additionally, there are maximum amounts you can receive per school year.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are federally guaranteed loans that are not based on financial need. Interest does accrue from the time the loan is disbursed to the school. Additionally, there are maximum amounts you can receive per school year for dependent and independent students.  

Q: What is a Parent PLUS loan?

 
Answer: The Federal PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) is an affordable, low-interest loan designed for parents. With the PLUS Loan, you can borrow up to your child's total cost of education minus other financial aid awarded to the student. This total cost can include tuition, books, food, housing, transportation, and more.

Great Benefits:

• Cover 100% of education costs
• No income or asset requirements
• Pre-approval in minutes
• Low interest rate of 8.5%
• Flexible repayment options
• Variable rate - rate changes annually but will never exceed 9%

The PLUS loan applies to dependent students only. Click here to apply www.parentanswer.com or call Parent Answer Services at 1-800-891-1410. You may also call the Culinary Institute LeN&ocirctre's Financial Aid department at 1-888-LENOTRE for more information.

Q: How do the alternative loan Programs work?

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Answer: Alternative loan programs are designed to aid our students with financing options that will adequately meet their needs for help with education costs. This loan allows you to borrow up to your cost of attendance, which means tuition, books, fees, transportation and housing costs may be included within your loan.

Requirements (for all applicants)

• 1. Approval is based on applicant's credit history (applicants may need to provide a co-borrower).
• 2. Applicant must be permanent resident or US citizen (or have a co-borrower that is).
• 3. Applicant must have two years working in the same field (if employed).
• 4. Applicant must earn an $18,000 yearly income (minimum).

Alternative loans are available through:

Sallie Mae Career Training Loan Program (www.slmfinancial.com)

• 0%-4% processing fee (depending on credit history of the borrower and the co-borrower)
• Up to 15 years to repay the loan
• There are 3 repayment options:
   Immediate Repayment-Make principal and interest payments beginning 30 days after the 1st disbursement of the loan.
   Interest Only-Make interest only payments while in school. Payments begin 30 days after the 1st disbursement of the loan.
   Deferred Interest-Make only a payment of $10 per month while in school. Payments will begin 30 days after the 1st disbursement of the loan.
• Interest rates can vary and range from prime + 0% to prime + 5%. (Depending on the credit history of the borrower and the co-borrower, the rate will fluctuate throughout the life of the loan as the prime rate goes up or down.)
• Borrowers can apply to defer up to two monthly payments per year after making six consecutive on time payments.
• Borrowers can apply to release a co-borrower after 24 consecutive on time payments providing that they meet the minimum co-borrower release credit requirements.

Q: Can I apply for a loan to cover living expenses?

 
Answer: YES! The Alternative and PLUS Loan programs provide the option to include living expenses as a part of your loan.

Q: When should I start applying for financial aid?

 
Answer: As soon as possible. Traditionally, we recommend for our students to have their financial aid package completed one month before the program begins.

Q: Does the Federal Financial Aid program apply to all courses?

 
Answer: The Pell grant and the Federal Stafford loans apply to all programs.

Q: How long will it take to complete the financial aid process?

 
Answer: Good news! With the help of a Financial Aid Advisor this process can be completed within one week.

Q: Who can I contact if I have questions?

 
Answer:The Financial Aid Department is here to assist you. Please email us at financialaid@culinaryinstitute.edu  or call 1-888-LENOTRE. We look forward to hearing from you!