Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions

All individuals interested in receiving financial aid must complete a Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit all requested documents.  The FAFSA must be completed yearly.  All students interested in receiving summer financial aid must also complete a Summer 2027 Intent to Register and submit it between February 1 and May 27 of the year interested in attending.

We encourage students to contact Admissions and academic departments across campus for additional scholarship options, to use scholarship search engines, and to check with organizations within their school, community, and/or state.

Scholarships are considered to be a need-based aid. Therefore reducing loan eligibility. It is a federal regulation that a student receiving any form of federal aid (PELL, SEOG, CWSP, and loans) award total, including scholarships, can not exceed the total cost of attendance (COA). COA – Total Award = 0.  However, there is an exception to the rule: if the student is only receiving PELL Grant funds, since it is an entitlement to the student and scholarship funds, then and only then can the total award exceed COA.

Once Lincoln receives your FAFSA and all required documentation, you should receive an award letter within 3 – 4 weeks. You are more than welcome to check Self Service for an online version.

Review your financial aid offer, missing requirements and student account in Blue Tiger Self-Service. Select Financial Aid and the appropriate award year. To request, increase, reduce or cancel a Direct Loan, follow the Federal Direct Loan Requirements and use the applicable Loan Change Request Form. Contact Student Financial Services at 573-681-6156 or SFS@LincolnU.edu if you need help with your requirements.

The 2026–2027 loan disbursement schedule lists anticipated dates, not guarantees. Lincoln schedules two disbursements for the loan period: one in fall and one in spring for an academic-year loan, or two installments for a one-semester loan. Refer to the schedule for the anticipated dates.

The federal 30-day first-disbursement delay generally applies to a first-year undergraduate who has not previously borrowed a Direct Loan, a Federal Stafford Loan or a Federal Supplemental Loan for Students. The delay is measured from the start of the program of study and is subject to federal school exemptions. Being new to Lincoln alone does not trigger this rule.

At disbursement, you must meet federal eligibility requirements, including enrollment and attendance at least half-time: 6 undergraduate credit hours; 5 graduate credit hours in fall or spring; or 3 graduate credit hours in summer. Complete the applicable Master Promissory Note and entrance counseling requirements before disbursement. Follow Lincoln’s Loan Change Request Form procedure; see Federal Direct Loan Requirements.

Disbursement rosters are received once a week, on Monday. Review your student account in Blue Tiger Self-Service.

A Title IV credit balance occurs when Title IV funds credited to your account exceed allowable charges for the payment period. Unless a valid authorization to hold the balance applies, Lincoln must pay it to the student or parent as soon as possible, but no later than 14 days after the balance occurs if it occurs after classes begin, or 14 days after the first day of classes if it occurs on or before that day. For questions about your loan or refund, contact Student Financial Services at 573-681-6156 or SFS@LincolnU.edu.

• Unless otherwise posted, you will receive your work-study paycheck on the 15th of the following month (please check your Lincoln email for messages).
• Students who completed the "Work Study Authorization Form" and Onboarding process will receive a paycheck.
• However, only students awarded CWSP funds can complete an authorization form. Please refer to your award letter for verification.

In order to keep your financial aid, you must successfully complete your courses as stated in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.  If you drop a course, withdraw from the semester, or fail your courses, it affects your eligibility; please check with a financial aid counselor if you are unsure of your status.

An eligible biological or adoptive parent, or in some cases a stepparent, may apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan for a dependent undergraduate enrolled at least half-time. The parent is the borrower and must use their own StudentAid.gov account. Approval depends on federal eligibility and credit requirements; an offer is not approval.

For applicable periods beginning July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS borrowing is generally limited to $20,000 annually and $65,000 in aggregate per student across all parents, and cannot exceed cost of attendance minus other financial assistance. A limited continuing-student exception may apply. Review current Parent PLUS eligibility, limits and application information and contact Student Financial Services at 573-681-6156 or SFS@LincolnU.edu about your circumstances. Lincoln’s Parent PLUS adjustment form is for changes to an existing loan, not the initial application.

No! Financial aid is not guaranteed to cover 100% of charges incurred. It is an assistance to other personal means. It is the student's and/or parent's responsibility to make payment arrangements with the Office of Student Financial Services.

Financial aid received/awarded at Lincoln will not automatically transfer to another school. We encourage the student to add the other school's FAFSA code to their FAFSA by contacting the Processing Center at 1-800-433-3243 or making a correction on the FAFSA website. Once that has been done, the student should contact the Financial Aid Office at the school they will be transferring to. Once the student has finalized their decision to transfer, they must email sfs@lincolnu.edu from their Lincoln email address requesting their financial aid to be canceled for specificed term. (This is only required when transferring in the middle of an academic year.)

Yes, financial aid is available during the summer session, but funds may be limited or unavailable depending on the individual student's eligibility. Therefore, we encourage all interested students to complete a Summer Intent to Register so that a financial aid counselor can formally review their file and notify them of the appropriate status.

Yes, if you are interested in receiving assistance you must complete the FAFSA every year you plan on attending our institution.

You may add our school code, 002479, to your FAFSA by making a correction on the FAFSA website or contacting the Processing Center at 1-800-433-3243.

Yes, you may apply after the priority date, but if you do, funds will be limited and may cause a delay in the processing time frame.