Lewis University Scholarships: A Guide for International Students

Finding the financial resources to attend college or university is often a daunting task, especially for international students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of scholarship opportunities at Lewis University and other related resources to help international students finance their education.

Introduction

Lewis University, like many institutions, recognizes the importance of attracting a diverse student body, including students from around the globe. To support this goal, Lewis University offers various scholarships and financial aid options specifically for international undergraduate students. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden of higher education and make it accessible to talented students from all backgrounds.

Scholarships at Lewis University

Lewis University offers scholarships only to international undergraduate students. International students can receive scholarships up to $5,500 per year based on student’s grades and academic records.

Academic Scholarships

Lewis University Academic scholarships are awarded at the time a student is admitted to the university. These scholarships are available to full-time undergraduate students based on outstanding high school or college academic records. Scholarship funds are limited, so it is advisable to apply for admission before the priority consideration date of January 15 for first-year students or May 1 for transfer students.

To estimate potential merit-based aid, students can utilize the Lewis University Scholarship Calculators. These calculators provide an estimated range based on academic records, such as high school GPA and ACT score for first-year students, and cumulative college GPA for transfers. Students will use their myLewis credentials to log-in to the application.

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Endowed and Annual Scholarships

New first-year and transfer students can apply for Endowed Scholarships after attending SOAR (Student Orientation Advising Registration) and registering for Lewis classes. The current General Application for Endowed/Annual Scholarships will open March 6, 2026. All students will filter into any scholarship opportunity in which they meet the criteria. Only the scholarships listed as Apply To on the List of Scholarship pages do you need to complete an application for. The Endowed and Annual Scholarship Application is open to all traditional undergraduate majors and select graduate majors depending on opportunities available. Award amounts are estimated and may vary each fiscal year. Deadline Date is the official close date of the 2026/2027 scholarship award cycle. Scholarship awarding process begins in April. Scholarships will remain visible until awarded. There is the possibility that a scholarship is listed but not funded for the current academic year. If you are chosen as a recipient, your name will appear in scholarship publications and elsewhere as appropriate. Some scholarships require certain obligations before they are disbursed onto students’ accounts. Students may only receive one Endowed or Annual Scholarship per academic year.

Athletic Scholarships

Students interested in athletics can inquire with the athletics department regarding athletic scholarships.

Additional Financial Aid Options at Lewis University

Beyond scholarships, Lewis University provides other forms of financial aid to help students manage the cost of education.

Need-Based Aid

In fall 2023, 79% of first-year students received need-based financial aid. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Lewis University was $29,107. Need-based self-help aid, including federal loans and work-study, averaged $7,672 for first-year students.

Lewis University met 91% of its students’ financial aid need, demonstrating its commitment to making education affordable.

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Payment Plans

Lewis University also offers payment plans, allowing students to pay their tuition in installments.

Graduate Assistantships

Students enrolled in a graduate program are eligible for employment on campus through Graduate Assistantships. These part-time jobs offer a small salary and a tuition reduction, providing valuable financial support and work experience.

Lewis University offers both Academic Assistantships (students hired by a specific academic department program they are enrolled in) and Staff Assistantships (current Lewis graduate students employed as staff members of the University). These positions are coordinated through Human Resources or the specific department itself. Academic Assistantships give you the chance to assist the department in a variety of ways while picking up real-world experience associated with your study area. Staff assistantships offer a special chance to work in several areas and support the operation of the institution. These jobs give you the chance to develop your professional abilities and collaborate directly with teachers and staff. Graduate assistantships not only provide financial support but also offer a platform for networking, mentorship, and skill development.

External Scholarship Opportunities

While Lewis University offers its own scholarships, international students should also explore external funding options.

IEFA (International Education Financial Aid)

IEFA (International Education Financial Aid) is a valuable resource for international students seeking scholarships and grants. This platform provides a comprehensive listing of scholarships specifically designed for international students, making it easier to identify relevant opportunities.

Hagan International Scholarship

Apply for the Hagan International Scholarship by May 1st each year. The Hagan International Scholarship is available to first semester international graduate students.

International Student Loans

International students are eligible for international student loans, specialized private education loans. Learn more about international student loans here. based co-signer. You can also search for international student loans here. Lewis University is also an approved school with Mpower Financing, who offers student education loans and Mpower Scholarships.

Foreign Government Sponsored Scholarships

Many foreign governments sponsor scholarship programs for their citizens to study in the United States. To find out if government-sponsored scholarships may be available, contact your local EducationUSA office.

Affordability and Value at Lewis University

Lewis University's tuition is $40,700, which is lower than the national average cost of tuition of $47,097. The total cost, including tuition, fees, food, housing, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses, is $55,030.

Through financial aid and other benefits, students receive a private education at Lewis University for less than the cost of a state or public university. As part of the Catholic and Lasallian Mission, Lewis University provides values-based education for qualified students.

Additional Scholarship Programs

University of Illinois, Springfield (UIS)

University of Illinois, Springfield (UIS) offers multiple scholarships for international students. The International Merit Student Awards provides students with scholarships based on their GPA. The higher the GPA, the higher the award. Students who are eligible can receive up to $4,000 per year. In addition, the university provides resources for students to search for scholarships outside the school’s network.

North Central College

North Central College provides international students with the opportunity to apply for a substantial scholarship. The International Scholarships is offered only to international freshman students and ranges up to $20,000 a year and is available for four academic years. Scholarships for international transfer students are also available as well. In addition, students who complete the advanced level at the English Language Institute (ELI) at North Central College are also eligible for an ELI Scholar Award for an undergraduate degree at North Central College.

University of St. Francis

University of St. Francis offers scholarships specifically for international students. Scholarships are categorized based on whether you are an incoming freshman or transfer student. In order to be eligible for scholarships as an incoming freshman, students need to have a SAT or ACT score. Students who are eligible may receive up to $15,000 in scholarships.

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges consists of Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College. Scholarships vary from school to school but each school provides support for international students seeking financial aid.

Resources and Support

Office of Special Scholarships Programs (OSSP)

The Office of Special Scholarships Programs (OSSP) offers international students a variety of resources and support for finding scholarships. The office focuses on a list of national awards available to students, in addition to smaller awards. They also help students with their written materials for scholarships applications, like personal statements, project outlines, resumes and more.

Study Abroad Financial Aid

A student who enrolls in a Lewis University-sponsored Study Abroad program will be considered for financial aid as if they were enrolled at Lewis. A student who enrolls in a non-sponsored Study Abroad program approved for Credit by the Academic Department will be considered for all financial aid with the exception of any Lewis Institutional financial aid. You should visit the Financial Aid office to enquire how a study abroad program will affect your financial aid package and if you may qualify for any additional aid. Program fees are available through the Study Abroad office. In general, the program fees for the semester and summer programs include tuition, housing, some kind of a meal plan, and any excursions that might be included in the program. Airfare is not included in the program fees for these programs. The Study Abroad office strongly encourages you to also seek outside sources to help in funding your study abroad experience. A list of different scholarships related to study abroad.

External Study Abroad Scholarships

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: A federal need-based scholarship of up to $5,000 for US undergraduate students on study abroad programs of at last six weeks.
David L. Boren Awards: For undergraduate and graduate students wanting to study outside of Western Europe, North America, and Oceania, with language training fellowships in Arabic, Central Asian, Korean, Mandarin, Persian, and Russian. Upon return, NSEP recipients work for the US federal government for one year after graduation.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program: Department of State, the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program offers intensive summer language institutes in thirteen critical foreign languages. government effort to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages. Students of diverse disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. For graduating senior, undergraduate, and graduate students who are US citizens.
Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan: citizens or permanent residents. This scholarship is limited to undergraduate students on semester- or academic year-long programs in Japan.

Student Work Opportunities

Working while in school can help lessen the burden of student loans. Lewis University offers student work opportunities that can provide students with some much-needed spending money while at school. Lewis University has teamed with Handshake, a well-known online resource that connects students with career and internship opportunities, to provide access to these student work opportunities. Students can view all open positions on the myLewis portal. Once logged in please go to the Resources section and select the Handshake resource.

Managing Student Loan Debt

How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate.

At Lewis University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $21,500. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $228. Additionally, 21% of graduating students at Lewis University took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $39,019 in private loan debt at graduation.

Essential Information for Prospective Students

Hagan Scholarship

For students in the 2026 high school graduating class, here is essential information about the Hagan Scholarship:

Hagan Scholarship Brochure. An overview of the scholarship, eligibility, responsibilities and benefits.
Eligibility Criteria. No Exceptions.
1. Must attend a high school located in the United States.
2. Must be in the high school graduating class.
3. All students who meet the eligibility criteria can apply regardless of nationality or citizenship.
4. Must have achieved an unweighted 3.50 CGPA based on a 4.0 Grading Scale.
5. Must provide a current copy of the applicant’s High School Transcript.
6. Must provide an “unsealed” Letter of Recommendation. If an unsealed LOR is not available from an educator, provide from a non-educator.
7. Must enroll in an eligible four-year College or University the first fall semester following high school graduation.
8. The scholarship cannot be used to attend a community college, junior college, or online institution.
9. Must maintain a four year or less graduation schedule, or complete the equivalent of a four year degree if in a professional program.
10. Must work 240 hours from January 1, 2026 until September 1, 2026 to be eligible for a fall semester disbursement. Work must be regularly scheduled non-family employment performed under supervision for compensation. Employment can be full-time or part-time.
11. Parents Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2024 Federal Income Tax Purposes must not have exceeded $125,000.
12. Citizens selected as Finalists must provide the first two pages of their FAFSA Summary. The FAFSA Summary must show the SAI.
13. Citizenship. Copy of Foreign Passport or Green Card.

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