Applying for Financial Aid

In order to apply for federal or state financial aid, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form. The FAFSA assesses a student’s financial need and is used to offer federal loans, grants, and work-study.

1. Complete and submit the FAFSA
2. Complete the FAFSA verification process (if required)
3. Review your financial aid offer
4. Accept/decline your financial aid offer
5. Complete your MPN and entrance loan counseling for the FAFSA
    

Step 1: Complete and submit the FAFSA

1. To get started, you'll need to create an account for your FSA ID (username and password) on studentaid.gov. Create your account at studentaid.gov. Wayne State College has an April 1 priority deadline.
   • If you are a dependent, you and your parent(s) or guardian(s) will need to create a separate FSA ID.
   • Save your username and password, as you will use them each year to submit the FAFSA.
      
2. Under "FAFSA Forms," select "Complete the FAFSA form."
    
3. List Wayne State College (school code 002566) under the School Selection section.
    
4. If eligible, you can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to upload your financial information. Otherwise, you'll need to manually enter your tax return information from two years prior to the FAFSA year.
   • If you are filing the 2025-26 FAFSA (for Fall 2025 and Spring/Summer 2026), you will need 2023 tax returns.
      
5. Submit and sign your FAFSA form. If you are a dependent, both you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) will need to sign the FAFSA with your own separate FSA IDs.
    
6. Check your WildcatsOnline account in case you need to submit additional documents or complete the FAFSA verification process.

Watch below on how to start the FAFSA

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA verification process (if required)

Verification requires schools to collect documentation to check the accuracy of FAFSA information. About 30% of all FAFSA filers are selected for verification. If you are selected, WSC will notify you via email, and you will need to complete the verification process in order to receive aid.

Learn more about the FAFSA verification process

Step 3: Review your financial aid award

Depending on the types and amount of financial aid for which you are eligible, your financial aid package may include a mixture of grants, scholarships, work-study programs, college-sponsored aid, and/or loans, and will be communicated to you in the form of a Financial Aid Award Notice.

Once you have been admitted to WSC and your FAFSA process is completed, you will receive a financial aid offer from WSC through paper mail and email. The email will be sent to your to your WSC account with instructions on how to access your award package through WildcatsOnline.

Step 4: Accept your financial aid award

You will need to accept or decline your financial aid award through WildcatsOnline.

In order to receive your funds, you must accept your financial award through WildcatsOnline. If applicable, you may also need to complete steps to receive a Federal Direct Loan.

To ensure receipt of all funds offered, please read and respond promptly to the financial aid offer notification. Check your status! Information about your application status, eligibility, and awards can be accessed at any time in WildcatsOnline.

Step 5: Complete MPN and Entrance Loan Counseling