UW Colleges Financial Aid
How to Apply
Federal School Code: 003897
View Financial Aid Application Deadlines
For most financial aid programs, students are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). As the name states, the FAFSA is free. The information provided on the FAFSA will help the school determine the student's eligibility for financial aid.
The purpose of financial aid is to help students and families meet educational expenses that cannot be met through their own resources. Financial aid can be either need based or non-need based. The results of the FAFSA along with the cost-of-education will determine whether or not a student has financial need.
There are several types of financial aid available. Grants and scholarships are considered "gift aid" because they generally do not have to be repaid. Loans and student employment are considered "self-help aid" because loans have to be repaid and by working you earn money for educational expenses. Approximately two-thirds of all students attending the University of Wisconsin Colleges receive some type of financial aid.
Financial Aid Process
- Student (and family) completes the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online.
- The FAFSA application process determines your eligibility for assistance; you must apply for financial aid each year.
- It's important to file early as some sources have limited funds. Apply after January 1 for the academic year beginning the following September. If possible, complete your federal tax return prior to submitting the FAFSA.
- Applicants who have submitted all necessary forms by April 15 will be given funding priority.
- The code for University of Wisconsin Colleges is 003897.
- You will need to apply for a PIN to sign your FAFSA electronically.
- Student who has provided a valid email on the FAFSA receives Student Aid Report (SAR), approximately 2-4 weeks later. The SAR is a summary of the information provided on the FAFSA. Student reviews information for accuracy and verifies that the University of Wisconsin Colleges is listed correctly.
- After an electronic version of the Student Aid Report (SAR) is received, the student's cost to attend minus EFC (expected family contribution) is computed, determining the student's financial need. The Award Offer is then mailed, offering grants, loans, and/or work-study taking into consideration the calculated need.
- Student receives Award Offer. Student accepts or declines the aid and submits a signed copy of the financial Award Offer to the Student Financial Aid Office. The signed copy must be submitted in order to receive any loans or work-study and must be submitted if the student has any outside aid to report. Grants are automatically accepted.
- If accepting loans, the student completes Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) online. ALL students, both new and continuing, must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Direct Loan Master Promissory Note.
- Financial Aid shows in PRISM. If you submitted a signed Award Offer at least two weeks prior to the start of classes, pending financial aid should appear in your PRISM account. If not, contact your campus Student Services Office.
- Financial aid is electronically credited to the student's University of Wisconsin Colleges account, based on the number of credits the student is carrying at the end of the 10th day of classes.
- After tuition is paid, any remaining funds are issued as a change check, made payable to the student and mailed to the PRISM home address.
- Any balance due must be paid by the tuition deadline.
- You must reapply for financial aid each year.
Eligibility
To be eligible for financial aid, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen of the U.S. (International students are not eligible for aid.)
- Carry at least six credits per semester. Exceptions may be made to the six-credit rule for Pell Grant funding.
- Demonstrate financial need for most types of aid. There are some exceptions to this rule. Refer to the Financial Aid Award Guide for more details.
- Not have defaulted on any educational loan or owe a repayment on any previous federal grant provided by any postsecondary institution.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress as outlined in the UW Colleges catalog.