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A Blog for Future Shockers

Things To Know When Filling Out the 2026-27 FAFSA Form

Nov. 24, 2025
By Amanda Duffy

Amanda Duffy

Amanda is a Financial Aid Advisor for Wichita State's Office of Financial Aid. Reach out to her office for questions about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)!

 

Students outside of Jardine Hall.
Photo by Matt Crow/Undergraduate Admissions

FAFSA season is here – let’s get you ready!

College is a big investment, but financial aid can make it affordable. The 2026-2027 FAFSA is now open and it’s the key to unlock grants, scholarships, work-study and federal loans.

Completing the FAFSA early gives you the best chance at receiving the most support and for us to provide you with an offer to help you compare college costs.

For Wichita State University, the 2026-2027 FAFSA covers the fall 2026, spring 2027 and summer 2027 semesters.

Key Dates to Know:

  • FAFSA Opened: Oct. 1, 2025
  • Wichita State Priority Date: Dec. 1, 2025
  • Final Date to Submit: June 30, 2026

Steps to Complete Your FAFSA:

  • Create your studentaid.gov account (FSA ID)
  • Gather your documents:
    • Social Security Number /Alien Registration Number
    • 2024 federal tax info
    • Records of child support, untaxed income and current bank balances
  • Log in to studentaid.gov and start your FAFSA
  • List up to 20 colleges, including Wichita State. Our Code is 001950
  • Sign and submit

Need help figuring out who needs to contribute info (like a parent or spouse)? Use the FAFSA Parent Wizard.

  • If you experience any issues while attempting to complete your application, you can access Federal Student Aid’s Help Center 24/7/365. You can call at 1-800-433-3243, live chat with Aiden the Owl or send an email through their online form.

What Happens After You Submit the FAFSA?

Once you hit “submit” on your FAFSA, here’s what to expect next:

  • Confirmation Email
    You’ll receive a confirmation from Federal Student Aid. Keep this for your records — it means your application was successfully submitted.
  • FAFSA Processing
    Your FAFSA will be processed by the U.S. Department of Education. This usually takes a few days, but can take longer during peak times.
  • Student Aid Report (SAR)
    You’ll get a Student Aid Report summarizing the information you submitted. Review it carefully for any errors or missing info. If corrections are needed, log back into studentaid.gov to update your FAFSA.
  • Wichita State Will Review Your Info
    Every college you listed on your FAFSA will receive your information. They’ll use it to determine your eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid.
  • Financial Aid Offers
    After we receive your FAFSA and verify that all required information is complete and accurate, Wichita State will begin preparing your financial aid offer. Our goal is to begin releasing offers starting in mid to late December.

    If additional documentation is needed, we will contact you directly via your Shocker Email. Please monitor your inbox regularly to avoid delays in processing.
  • Next Steps
    Compare your offers, accept the aid you need and follow any instructions from us to finalize your aid package.

We’re Here to Help!

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships team is ready to support you every step of the way:

Stay up to date with our events and on social media @wichitastatefinaid. Outside of visiting us with questions one-on-one, we offer workshops to help with FAFSA completion. We are here to invest in you!

 

 

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