Financial Aid Application Process for Continuing Students – 2024-25
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.
2024-2025 Delayed FAFSA Processing
The 2024-2025 financial aid application process is modified for this year due to the FAFSA Simplification Act and delayed release of the FAFSA. The Department of Education has recently announced a further delay in the processing of FAFSA data, indicating that Wooster’s Financial Aid Office will not begin receiving applicant data until mid-March.
As a result, students who submit the FAFSA for the 2024-2025 academic year will not receive their aid offer until late spring or early summer.
To reapply for institutional need-based aid for the 2024-2025 academic year, the following steps should be taken by April 1, 2024:
Complete the 2024-2025 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 the 2024-2025 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. Students who have been selected for verification, either by the U.S. Department of Education or by The College of Wooster will be notified by the Financial Aid Office of all required documents and due dates. The Department of Education encourages all applicants to utilize the IRS tax data retrieval tool when completing the FAFSA. This tool is available to most tax filers who have a processed tax return on file with the IRS and inputs tax return information into the FAFSA directly from the IRS.
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/early summer of 2024. 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
- Mid-Dec: Spring invoices are mailed from the Business Office.
- Jan. 1: 2024-2025 FAFSA becomes available online.
- Jan. 10: Spring semester payment due in full.
- Feb. 1: 2024-2025 Wooster Aid Application becomes available online.
- March 1: Submit FAFSA if you have not already done so.
- Late March: Review ScotWeb for personalized list of required financial aid application materials after FAFSA is completed and received by the Financial Aid Office.
- April 1: Suggested filing date of FAFSA.
- Review ScotWeb for personalized list of required financial aid application materials after FAFSA is completed.
- Review of complete 2024-2025 Wooster Aid Application and 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 2024-2025 Wooster Aid Application and FAFSA will continue. Award notices will be mailed home and a copy will be available online on ScotWeb.
- Mid-July: 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: Fall semester balances are due in full.