Financial Aid Application Process for Continuing Students – 2025-2026
Students continuing at the College must file the FAFSA each year to reapply for federal, state, and/or institutional (need-based) financial aid. The Student Aid Index (SAI) determined by the FAFSA data is re-calculated each year. This will determine any changes in your eligibility to receive federal and state grants, student loans, and federal work-study. The Department of Education has announced that the 2025-2026 FAFSA will be available by December 1, 2024.
To reapply for institutional need-based aid for the 2025-2026 academic year, the following steps should be taken by April 1, 2025:
Complete the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit to Wooster using our federal school code: 003037.
- Find helpful information about completing your FAFSA on our Filling Out the FAFSA page.
- Federal Student Aid also provides specific information about the FAFSA renewal process.
Complete and submit the 2025-2026 Wooster Aid Application if applying for need-based institutional aid.
- Exception –If you are selected by the federal processor for the special Federal Verification review process, you will be required to submit additional information that we will request from you via email. Information about this process can be found in the Verification section below. Review your checklist on ScotWeb for missing required documents.
The Department of Education and/or The College of Wooster may request additional information to verify the data on your FAFSA. This will be determined once your FAFSA has been received by our office.
- If you are selected by the federal processor or Wooster for the special Federal Verification review process you will be required to submit additional documentation. Information about this process can be found in the Verification section below.
- Signed copies of federal income tax returns and W-2 statements will be requested from families as needed and prior to review of any special circumstances.
- We will notify you by email of any additional documentation needed. You can also view your checklist of missing required documents on ScotWeb (Colleague Self Service – Financial Aid).
- Many documents, and how to submit them, can be found on our Forms page.
Verification
The College of Wooster is required by federal regulations to validate the accuracy of the financial information of students identified by the U.S. Department of Education for verification. Wooster may also select students for verification. The Department of Education requires all student FAFSA filers and contributors to the FAFSA form to provide consent and approval to the access, disclosure, and use of federal tax information (FTI) through the Direct Data Exchange (DDX) process. Additional documentation may be requested by the Financial Aid Office, even if FTI is transmitted successfully by the DDX process, for any student selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education or The College of Wooster.
Financial aid eligibility will not be finalized until all requested verification documentation is received. Financial aid awards are subject to change based on the accuracy of information submitted on the FAFSA.
Financial Aid for Study Abroad
If you study abroad through a GEO approved program, all financial aid that you have been offered for that term will still apply to your charges.
Any scholarship funding received through your program provider must be reported to our office. As with all outside scholarships, there are situations where it may be necessary to reduce Wooster aid based on the other aid you have already received, per federal regulations. You will be notified of any changes to your awards.
Need-based Aid Award Notification
Annual review of completed financial aid applications will begin in late spring of 2025. Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they have been completed. You will receive an email when your financial aid offer letter is available to be viewed on ScotWeb (Colleague Self Service – Financial Aid). In addition, a hardcopy of your letter will be mailed to your permanent address.
International Student Aid Renewal
Continuing international students do not need to take any action to have financial aid renewed each academic year. The Financial Aid Office will annually renew your aid in the amount you were awarded upon admission to the college, for up to a total of 8 semesters. We will notify you via email in April when it is available to be viewed on ScotWeb (Colleague Self Service – Financial Aid).
Calendar of Important Dates
- September: 2025-2026 Wooster Aid Application available
- Dec. 1: 2025-2026 FAFSA available
- Mid-Dec: 2024-2025 Spring invoices are mailed from the Business Office.
- April 1: Suggested filing date of 2025-2026 FAFSA.
- Review ScotWeb for personalized list of required financial aid application materials after FAFSA is completed.
- Review of complete 2025-2026 Wooster Aid Application and 2025-2026 FAFSA will begin. Award notices will be mailed home and a copy will be available online on ScotWeb.
- To cover the remaining costs of the academic year, compare all available funding and payment options.
- Review of complete 2025-2026 Wooster Aid Application and 2025-2026 FAFSA will continue. Award notices will be mailed home and a copy will be available online on ScotWeb.
- Mid-July: 2025-2026 Fall semester invoices will be mailed by the Business Office.
- To cover the remaining costs of the academic year, compare all available funding and payment options.
- August 10: 2025-2026 Fall semester balances are due in full.