Which financial aid application?
To maximize your aid chances, make sure you meet all applicable deadlines.
Fall 2025-2026 Aid Year
WSU Priority Dates and Deadlines
Below are the updated priority dates and deadlines:- December 1, 2024: FAFSA/WASFA Opens
- January 31:
- WSU General Scholarship Priority Deadline *
- FAFSA/WASFA priority date for new & current WSU students
- March 31: Additional Documentation priority date for new & current WSU students
- December 1, 2025: Additional Documentation priority date for new & current WSU students attending Spring 2026
Fall 2024-2025 Aid Year
WSU Priority Dates and Deadlines
Due to the most recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) on further delays for institutions to begin receiving applicant data, WSU has extended our 2024-2025 priority dates and deadlines. Our goal is to provide flexibility to students and families with the assurance that we stand ready to assist with navigating unforeseen delays. Below are the updated priority dates and deadlines:- December: FAFSA Opens
- Early January: WASFA Opens
- May 1: WSU General Scholarship Deadline *
- June 1: FAFSA/WASFA priority date for new & current WSU students
- July 31: Additional Documentation priority date for new & current WSU students
- December 1st: Additional Documentation priority date for new & current WSU students attending Spring 2025
Please Note: Due to the implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act and when institutions will receive the necessary application information, this date is subject to change.
This chart was designed to help you determine which financial aid application you should use.
| Residency Status | Your application for financial aid |
|---|---|
| United States Citizen | FAFSA |
| Permanent residence with registration card I-551 | FAFSA |
Non-citizen with an I-94 entry / exit record showing one of the following:
| FAFSA |
| Undocumented student qualifying under HB-1079 or DACA | WASFA |
Note: Residency status pertains only to the student; the parent’s status does not affect a student’s eligibility to apply for aid.
Am I a New or Former Coug?
You are considered a new or former Coug if:
- You have never attended WSU before
- You have been admitted for the spring, summer, or fall term
- You have no prior enrollment on any WSU campus
- You have had a career change
- Example: undergraduate to graduate or undergratuate to professional
- This does not include a change in major or minor
- You are a former WSU student returning after being absent
- Example: You attended WSU, took a year off, and are returning in the same career and same program
**If you meet the above criteria, you will be asked to meet our priority deadlines for new/former students in order to receive priority, need-based financial aid.
Am I a Current Coug?
You are a considered a current Coug if:
- You will be enrolled at any WSU campus, for any amount of credit hours, for the fall term of that academic year
**If you meet the above criteria, you will be asked to meet our priority deadlines for current students in order to receive priority, need-based financial aid.
Don’t Forget to Complete WSU’s General Scholarship Application!
Apply by May 1, 2024 to be considered for a variety of institutional scholarships awarded from this one application for the 2024–2025 academic year! Due to recent FAFSA application delays, the scholarship deadline has been extended to May 1.
General Scholarship ApplicationPriority Deadlines
To maximize your aid chances, make sure you meet all applicable deadlines.
Fall 2025-2026 Aid Year
WSU Priority Dates and Deadlines
Below are the updated priority dates and deadlines:- December 1, 2024: FAFSA/WASFA Opens
- January 31:
- WSU General Scholarship Priority Deadline *
- FAFSA/WASFA priority date for new & current WSU students
- March 31: Additional Documentation priority date for new & current WSU students
- December 1, 2025: Additional Documentation priority date for new & current WSU students attending Spring 2026
Fall 2024-2025 Aid Year
WSU Priority Dates and Deadlines
Due to the most recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) on further delays for institutions to begin receiving applicant data, WSU has extended our 2024-2025 priority dates and deadlines. Our goal is to provide flexibility to students and families with the assurance that we stand ready to assist with navigating unforeseen delays. Below are the updated priority dates and deadlines:- December: FAFSA Opens
- Early January: WASFA Opens
- May 1: WSU General Scholarship Deadline *
- June 1: FAFSA/WASFA priority date for new & current WSU students
- July 31: Additional Documentation priority date for new & current WSU students
- December 1st: Additional Documentation priority date for new & current WSU students attending Spring 2025
Please Note: Due to the implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act and when institutions will receive the necessary application information, this date is subject to change.
After you apply
After you complete the financial aid application and apply for admission, our office will send you a financial aid offer (usually in March or April) detailing how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive.
You may also be asked to send additional information to verify your eligibility. Be sure to return all requested information to the Student Financial Services office on your campus by the priority date.
**PLEASE NOTE: For the 24-25 academic year – accepting/declining of offered loans is now open! Visit our Accepting Loans page for more information and details about the process.**
How to get state & federal aid
1. Complete the FAFSA/WASFA
The single most important step you can take is to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at fafsa.gov. In order to keep receiving aid, you will need to do this every year.
WSU will use the FAFSA to determine how much institutional, state, and federal funding we can offer to you.
Almost everyone who files the FAFSA is eligible for student loans. Depending on your financial situation, you could also be eligible for grants, work-study jobs, and scholarships—aid you don’t have to pay back.
Undocumented students cannot file the FAFSA, but aid is still available; see eligibility requirements below and explore your options here.
Complete the FAFSA
Complete the WASFA
2. Apply for scholarships
Even if your grades aren’t perfect, apply.
While academic performance is important, it isn’t the only thing that matters. Academic interests, talent, financial need, community service, leadership, career goals—any of these could qualify you for awards from WSU and from other sources.
The WSU General Scholarship Application allows you to be considered for more than 700 WSU scholarship programs. Due to recent FAFSA application delays, the scholarship deadline has been extended to May 1.
General Scholarship Application
Scholarships are available not only from WSU, but also from private donors and foundations. There are thousands of opportunities waiting for you to find them.
3. Estimate aid in advance
Use our Net Price Calculator to plan your finances in advance and evaluate your options. (Please note that this tool provides only an estimate, not a guarantee.)
Depending on your financial situation, you could be offered several different types of financial aid. Explore your aid options here.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility requirements
In order to receive federal student aid, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- Graduate from high school (or earn a high-school equivalent certification)
- Be accepted for enrollment in college courses working toward an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree.
- Be a citizen, or eligible non-citizen, of the United States.
- Have a valid Social Security Number.
- Certify that you intend to use financial aid for educational purposes, that you are not in default on a federal student loan, and that you do not owe money on a federal grant.
- Register with the Selective Service (if required).
Undocumented students who meet certain criteria may be eligible for state and university-based aid.
Please note that certain programs like the Administrator Credential Program are ineligible for financial aid due to the inherent structure of the program. Private loans are available for certificate programs.
Contact Us
The financial aid process may seem complicated, but it’s actually pretty easy to get started—and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
You’re welcome to contact us if you have questions at any point.