Financial Aid

First-Time Applicants

 

Listen to a WCSU Media Podcast. Episode: All About Financial Aid at WCSU (recorded December 2018)

 

The 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) became available on October 1, 2018. To qualify for priority financial aid consideration, you must be accepted to the university and have a processed and valid FAFSA on file with the Office of Financial Aid & Student Employment on or before March 1. It is recommended that you submit your FAFSA as early as possible in order to meet this priority date and use a non-high school affiliated email address. Be advised that it takes 3-5 business days for your FAFSA to be processed and received by Western.

Step 1   How to Apply

  • Create an FSA ID for the student and parent (as applicable) at fsaid.ed.gov – the FSA ID serves as your electronic signature
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov using Western’s federal school code: 001380
  • It is strongly suggested that students use a non-high school affiliated email address.
  • Almost all male students (US citizens & eligible non-citizens) ages 18-25, are required to register with the Selective Service in order to apply for financial aid.
  • Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool available on FAFSA to ensure accurate and timely processing of your financial aid application.
  • 2017 income information should be used to complete your 2019-2020 FAFSA.
  • First-time attending students must be accepted to the university by the March 1 deadline in order to maintain priority consideration status.

 

Step 2  Next Steps: Verification

  • Additional information may be requested of you if selected for a process called Verification by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are selected, you will receive an introductory email from Inceptia to the email address you provided on your FAFSA.
  • If not previously used, you may be asked to update your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the application.
  • Students whose FAFSA application was not selected for verification, but may require additional information to proceed with processing, may receive information directly from wcsufinancialaid@wcsu.edu.
  • Please do not submit additional documents unless they are requested.

 

3_finaid   Financial Aid Award Offer

  • Award notifications are sent to the email included on your admission application.
  • Follow the instructions provided to accept or decline your financial aid award offer.
  • Students are provided 3 weeks from the date of notification to accept or decline.
  • Financial aid offers are made based on the availability of funding at the time of packaging.
  • Should you accept any portion of a federal student loan, you will be required to complete additional requirements.
  • Make note of specific award messages.
  • Use this Quick Reference Guide for assistance.

 

4_finaid   Additional Financing Options

Federal Direct Student Loans are automatically awarded to students in their maximum eligible amounts. If there are additional financing needs, the following options are available:

  • Parent PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent students students at studentloans.gov. The Parent PLUS Loan application for 2019-2020 is now available. In order to apply and receive the PLUS Loan, a valid FAFSA must be on file.
  • Private Educational Loans are also available. A listing or private loans and lenders can be accessed at elmselect.com.

 


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

Student awards may be adjusted with the receipt of new financial information during the academic year, or in accordance with the student’s enrollment status as of the Enrollment Freeze Date. Financial aid is awarded 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: 05/03/2019