Scholarships

Merit-Based Scholarship

First-Year students entering in Fall 2024: to get an idea of the scholarship you may be eligible for, see the chart below using your high school GPA (weighted) or your ACT or SAT score.

*Please note that the above grid only applies to first-year students entering the College in Fall 2024 excluding United World Colleges.

Not on the grid?
Don’t worry! At Lake Forest College, we know that our students are more than just a number. We are searching for interesting, well-rounded students to add to our already diverse community. Your engagement with the College, accomplishments in and out of the classroom, leadership potential, course preparation, and more will be taken into consideration by our holistic review. Don’t hesitate to apply!

Applying Test-Optional?
Those students who are applying without submitting their ACT or SAT scores must  schedule an interview with their admission counselor as soon as possible. We believe that this conversation tells more about a student’s drive and passion for learning than a standardized exam. Students who apply test-optional will be reviewed for scholarship on an individual basis using our holistic review process.

Review Process
As an institution that is truly diverse in every sense of the word, we at Lake Forest College pride ourselves in our holistic admissions review. Whether you find yourself on the above grid or not, your admissions counselor will review your file for scholarship consideration based on qualities that we know make a successful Forester. Beyond just a GPA or test-score, we are looking for students that want a personalized academic experience, paired with the world-class opportunities that Chicago has to offer.

Renewal Requirements
Academic scholarships from the College are renewed with continued, full-time enrollment and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Additional requirements can be found here.

Forester scholarships (Fine Arts, Carnegie English, etc.) are renewed by the respective department conditional on meeting the specific scholarship requirements. Renewal decisions are made every spring.