First-Time Applicants

Many students and families rely on financial aid to help pay for the overall cost of attending college. Review our Undergraduate Cost publication to learn more about financial aid at WCSU. You can also view a checklist to prepare to apply for financial aid.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) became available on December 1. To be considered for financial aid, you must be accepted to the university and have a processed and valid FAFSA on file by March 1. It is recommended that you submit your FAFSA as early as possible in order to meet the deadline and use a non-high school affiliated email address on your application. Be advised that is takes 3-5 business days for your FAFSA to be processed and received by WCSU.

If your application is selected for Verification or additional information is requested, be sure to submit documents by April 1. To expedite the federal verification process, we have partnered with Inceptia and will use a Verification Gateway online portal. If your FAFSA application is selected for verification by the U.S Department of Education, you will receive an introductory email to the email address you provided on the FAFSA.

Awarding for new students in 2025-2026 will begin in February. Applications received after the deadline(s) are considered based on available funding.

What Happens Next?

When a valid FAFSA is received and/or all verification is complete, we can proceed to the financial aid offer. Aid offers are sent via email to the student and include a summary along with helpful links and instructions. Parents will also receive a notification that the student received their aid offer. Please follow the next steps to view and act on your financial aid offer.

1.) Activate Your BannerWeb and Email Accounts

BannerWeb Set-Up

Enter your WCSU email address sent by mim@wcsu.edu to the email address you provided on your admissions application
Enter the characters in the box; click “Next”
Make sure the “Email my alternate email button is selected; click “Email”
a. You should receive an email to the account you provided when you applied to the university
b. Enter the code in the verification code box; click “Next”
c. You will be prompted to create a new password for your account; click “Finish”
You will receive a message and email informing you that the password was reset

WCSU Email Set-Up

When prompted for your username, enter your full WCSU email address (ex. student001@wcsu.edu) and the password you created
Set up Multi-Factor Authentication – either with text to your cellphone or downloading the Microsoft Authenticator App (Authenticator App Instructions)
Phone Set-up Instructions: Select “I want to set up a different method” and continue with the steps.
Select Phone; click “Next”; enter your cell phone number; select “Text me a code” and click “Next”
Enter the code you received; click “Next”
You’ll receive a message that your phone was registered successfully; click “Next” and then “Done.”

If you experience an issue you cannot resolve, please contact the Information Technology & Innovation Service Desk at RequestIT@wcsu.edu or call (203) 837-8467.

2.) Access and Accept Your Financial Aid Offer

Visit BannerWeb using your WCSU student account and password

Then, follow steps below:

Click Financial Aid tab
Select “Financial Aid Dashboard”
You should be on the “Home” tab
Answer the Title IV Authorization Questions in the red box and click submit
Click on the “Offer” tab to view your award offer
Take action on each award by clicking “Accept” or “Decline“
Read and accept the Terms and Conditions as part of the award offer acceptance

You can also reference this Quick Reference Guide.

3.) Additional Requirements

If you decide that taking advantage of low-interest rate federal student loans is necessary, you must complete a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov. These only need to be completed once and is valid for 10 years, per institution.

The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s).
Entrance Counseling ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You’ll learn what a loan is, how interest works, your options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default.

A record of the completion is sent to the university and your federal student loans can be processed.

Visit studentaid.gov – log in with your student FSA ID

Click “I’m In School”
Select the item you wish to complete.

4.) Financing Options

Financial aid is available to help students meet their educational expenses. While not every student qualifies for certain awards, we understand that determining how to pay for remaining educational expenses can be challenging and overwhelming. To help you decide what works best for you and your family, here are some additional financing options available:

Parent PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent undergraduate students; the application typically becomes available May 1. A minimal credit check is required; advantages include low interest rates, high balance loan program, and repayment term of up to 10 years. In order to apply and receive the PLUS Loan, a valid FAFSA must be on file. Parent must also complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for PLUS.
Payment Plans are also available through our Cashier’s Office. WCSU realizes that managing the cost of education is a challenge for many families. To help you meet your educational expenses, WCSU has partnered with TouchNet to offer you a low-cost payment option. The cost to enroll in the TouchNet online payment plan is $45 per semester and there are no interest or finance charges. It is easy to enroll in the plan each semester and once you set up your plan, payments are made automatically. You must enroll for each semester you’d like to use the payment plan.
Private Educational Loans are alternative loan programs that help bridge the gap between the actual cost of your education and the amount of financial aid you receive. These are offered by private lenders and are not backed by the federal government. A listing or private loans and lenders can be accessed at elmselect.com.

5.) Know Your Terms

Cost of Attendance is the estimated total cost of attending an institution for one academic year. This is also sometimes referred to as the financial aid budget. The amount may include the following:

Tuition and fees – charges assessed for classes and/or other coursework and college services (e.g., technology access)
Housing – includes residence hall charges for on-campus students or an estimate of rent and utilities for an off-campus student.
Food – includes the cost of a meal plan and/or an estimate of the costs of food prepared at home
Estimated transportation and parking costs
Estimated costs for books and supplies (including purchase/rental of a computer)
Miscellaneous costs such as personal hygiene, laundry, and reasonable entertainment

Direct Costs are charges included in the Cost of Attendance that the student/family pays directly to the university (i.e., tuition & fees; housing & food, if applicable).

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan – Eligibility for subsidized loans is need-based. The federal government pays the interest that accrues while the student remains enrolled at least half-time and during the grace period. Repayment begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan – Unsubsidized Loans are not awarded based on financial need. Interest accrual begins immediately, and the student can choose to pay the interest while enrolled or upon entering repayment. Repayment begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled.

Federal Work Study Program – A federal program offered and administered by the institution that provides opportunity for part-time employment to students with financial need to help pay their educational expenses. Students are responsible for finding employment. Funds are paid out through a paycheck, as earned. Work study is not required to work on campus.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan – PLUS Loans allows parents with no adverse credit history to apply for a loan up to the full Cost of Attendance each year, less any financial aid received by the dependent student. Repayment of principal and interest begins immediately once the loan is fully disbursed with some options to delay payment available.

NOTE: Any aid offered to a student is contingent upon WCSU receiving federal and/or state funds.

Student aid offers may be adjusted with the receipt of new financial information during the academic year and/or in accordance with the student’s enrollment status as of the university’s census date (enrollment freeze date). Financial Aid is offered to matriculated students who are registered at least half-time (6 credit hours). For more information concerning the above process or any related questions, please call our office at 203-837-8580.

Updated: 06/09/2025