FAFSA: The key to financial aid
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid—the FAFSA—is the single most important step in getting financial aid. You will need to do this every year to continue receiving aid.
Once the FAFSA has been completed, the information is processed by the U.S. Department of Education and a Student Aid Report (SAR) is sent to the school(s) of your choice. When our office receives your SAR, we will be able to offer aid that takes your financial situation into account.
Applications filed by the priority date will receive first consideration. The earlier you file your FAFSA, the more options for aid you will have. If you miss the priority deadline, you can still apply; some form of aid is usually available no matter when you file the FAFSA. See dates and deadlines »
WSU’s School Code: 003800
Get ready to apply
Use these three websites to learn what you’ll need to know before you fill out the FAFSA.
- A Guide to filling out the FAFSA
- 10 steps to a successful student loan application
- How to create an FSA ID
The Federal Student Aid YouTube channel is also a great place to start getting familiar with the financial aid process and the FAFSA. When you’re ready, access the FAFSA at fafsa.gov.
We have created a FAFSA/WASFA CHANGES page to help students and families navigate the upcoming 24-25 changes. Both applications are open.Need help filling out the FAFSA?
The U.S. Dept. of Education is your best resource: their website has detailed instructions on completing the FAFSA and offers extensive support options.
Apply for the correct academic year
If you need help within this time | Use the FAFSA | Use this year's tax information | The application is made available on |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022 | 2021-2022 | 2019 | October 1, 2020 |
| July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 | 2022-2023 | 2020 | October 1, 2021 |
| July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 | 2023-2024 | 2021 | October 1, 2022 |
| July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025 | 2024-2025 | 2022 | December, 2023 |
If you are attending Summer Session in May/June/July of 2024, you should complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
Instead of providing the current year’s income information, you will use financial information from the previous year’s completed tax filing. Income information can be updated after application if need be.
Your FAFSA will be used for the entire academic year (i.e. the 2023-2024 FAFSA is used for fall 2023, as well as spring and summer 2024). If you have any questions about which academic period to file, contact your local Student Financial Services Office on your campus.
Renewing your application
Once you have filed a FAFSA, the following years’ applications are much simpler. You will simply need to update your personal information and input your family information for the current year.
Be sure that WSU is selected as a school of your choice. Once we receive your SAR from the U.S. Department of Education, we’ll begin processing your aid.
Use the Studentaid.gov website to view information on federal student loans and grants you’ve previously received.