Applying for Financial Aid

 

The WSU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships administers all federal and state financial aid as well as all WSU General Scholarships, and coordinates the awarding of most academic departmental and off-campus scholarship awards. For more information regarding scholarships for incoming, transfer and current students please visit wichita.edu/scholarships.

In order to be considered for federal and some state financial aid, you will need to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible, preferably before December 1st of the preceding academic year at studentaid.gov. Federal financial aid is not automatically renewed therefore this application process must be done each year. A Federal School Code (also known as the Title IV Institution Code) will be needed to complete the FAFSA. WSU’s Federal School Code is 001950.

The U.S. Department of Education recommends you file the FAFSA online, however paper applications will also be accepted by the Federal Processing Center. You can file the FAFSA as soon as possible on or after October 1st and preferably before WSU’s priority date of December 1st for the upcoming academic year. This application priority date is considered for limited funded aid programs. Funds for the following programs are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who meet the eligibility requirements:

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Work-Study (FFWS)
• State of Kansas programs (such as KS Comprehensive Grant)
• KS State Scholar
• KS Nursing Service scholarship
• KS Teacher Service scholarship.

The FAFSA can be filed using estimated income tax information, however it is strongly recommended that you use the results of your Federal income tax return to avoid delays due to incorrect information. View our Application Process Checklist” for complete information on applying for financial aid and scholarships at Wichita State University. Our “Frequently Asked Questions” page provides answers to many common questions.

In order to be considered for the maximum amount of aid for which you may be eligible, it is recommended that you file your federal aid application prior to December 1st for the upcoming academic year. Students can apply for financial aid throughout the year, but awards are made on a first come, first-served basis and funding for some programs may be depleted after the December 1st priority date.

In order to be considered for financial aid, students must be fully-admitted to a degree-bound program or Gainful Employment-eligible certificate program at Wichita State. While students can submit the FAFSA prior to being admitted, they will not be offered aid until the admission process is complete. For more information on how to apply to WSU, please view the following website for admissions information.

Verification

Due to the possibility of human error on aid applications, the federal government has a process called “verification” which allows the school to verify the accuracy of the information you submitted on your FAFSA. If you are selected for verification, you will be sent an email notification to your WSU email address. You will need to print, complete, sign and submit the Verification Worksheet along with signed copies of the requested tax returns (including all applicable schedules), to the WSU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. Once the WSU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships has received all of the requested information, a review of your aid eligibility and a financial aid package will be completed.

Professional Judgment
The federal formula that determines aid eligibility is the same for all applicants. However, if your family has experienced any unusual family or financial circumstances that you feel is not reflected in the determination of your aid eligibility, then you should contact one of our representatives in the WSU Office of Financial Aid. Unusual circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Death
• Separation / divorce
• Loss of job / change in income
• Excessive medical expenses
• Private elementary / secondary tuition charges
• Dependent care

Such changes may warrant a review and subsequent adjustment in the formula that determines your federal aid eligibility. You will be required to provide documentation to support any adjustments you may be seeking.

Summer Financial Aid
At WSU, summer financial aid eligibility requires both a FAFSA on file as well as a WSU Summer Aid Application. Students must be admitted as a regular student to a degree-seeking program and be enrolled in classes for the summer term. More information about the WSU Summer Aid Application is available on our website at wichita.edu/summerfinaid during the months of March – July.

Consortium Agreements
Because students can only receive aid at one institution per academic term, WSU may enter into a consortium agreement with another institution when one of our WSU students enrolls in approved coursework between WSU and another eligible institution(s) in the same semester. For more information on consortium agreements, contact the WSU Office of Financial Aid.

Study Abroad
Students may be eligible for financial aid when enrolled in an approved study abroad program. Students must plan well in advance and apply for financial aid early. Visit with your academic department and/or college to learn more.