Applying for Federal Financial Aid
1. Apply for admission to Williamson College:
Officially admitted students will be evaluated for financial assistance.
2. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to establish eligibility for federal assistance. The WC school code is 035135.
Please note: The FAFSA application process is a free service provided by the US Department of Education. Students will not be asked to pay a fee to access it, so check your website before proceeding.
Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible, as some aid programs are awarded on a first come first serve, basis. May 1 is the priority deadline at WC for awarding campus based aid.
**It is important to apply for federal aid as early as possible so the applications can be processed and funds available for the beginning of your term. If the anticipated financial assistance is not available at the time the student’s new award year begins, students must make contact with the Business Office and make preparations to pay.
3. Watch for FAFSA results
As a result of filing the FAFSA, the filer is sent a Student Aid Report (SAR). The results should be received by email within 10 days of filing the FAFSA (be sure to include your email address when applying). The college is sent an electronic version from the federal processor. Once the results are received by WC, it will be reviewed to determine eligibility. Students may be required to provide additional documentation as necessary through a process called verification.
If selected for verification, the Financial Aid Office will email a verification worksheet to the student to complete and request the documentation required to complete the process.
The FAFSA determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the estimated amount a family can contribute to a student’s education. This amount is reported on the results of the FAFSA, called the Student Aid Report (SAR).
4. Notify the Financial Aid Office if you receive any outside assistance
When you receive scholarship funds or tuition assistance from outside sources, they must be reported to us so we can incorporate them into your financial aid package.
5. Receiving the Award Notice
If you are receiving Title IV assistance, you will be emailed an Award Notification Letter once all requirements are met. The Award Notification is an important document and it needs to be reviewed. Log into Populi and accept/decline your awards within 10 days of the date of your notification letter. Aid must be accepted prior to being disbursed.
6. Disbursement Information
The financial aid awards that you accept should be disbursed to your account within 14 days of the first day of the term or of the Business Office invoice. Funds will be disbursed on a by-term basis, however, awarded across an award year in two equal payments (usually) for two (20 week) consecutive terms. If you have a credit balance, you will be mailed a refund check.
First time, first year students will not receive Federal Direct Loan proceeds until completing the first 30 days of the first term. You must also complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Loan Counseling.
7. Cancellation Policy
You have a right to cancel all or part of the grant(s) and/or loan disbursement(s) you were awarded. In order to cancel any or all of your Federal Student Aid, you must confirm in writing the FSA award(s) and amounts(s) and send the request to the Business Office within 14 days of the date of your registration invoice. You will be responsible for any unpaid balance on your Williamson College account.
Resources:
