Apply for Financial Aid

The following forms are available as circumstances warrant. Please be sure to complete the form(s) for the academic year for which you are seeking financial aid.

• 2023-2024 WLC Financial Aid Application (PDF for new students who desire paper form)
• 2023-2024 Private Tuition Paid Form (PDF)
• 2023-2024 Private Scholarship Confirmation Form (PDF)
• 2023-2024 Special Circumstances Form (PDF)

Your Financial Aid Offer

A financial aid offer letter will be sent to you after your financial aid is determined. Incoming freshmen will receive offer letters in the mail starting in December. Transfer students will receive offer letters in the mail on a rolling basis. Current students will receive offer information via email during the summer.

Adjustments

If you receive private (non-WLC) scholarships, grants, or loans, you are legally required to report those funds to the Office of Financial Aid. In certain cases, federal and state regulations may require an adjustment to your financial aid offer. Adjustments may also be made if there are changes in your family's financial situation during the academic year or if your enrollment status changes.

1. How do I apply for financial aid as a traditional undergraduate student?
   Two steps and you're done! Complete the WLC Financial Aid Application and submit a FAFSA. It's that simple.
2. How often do I apply for financial aid?
   You must apply for financial aid each year.
3. Do I have to submit a FAFSA?
   No. If you are only requesting your WLC merit scholarship, then you do not need to submit a FAFSA. You do need to submit the WLC Financial Aid Application to tell us your intentions. Note that if you plan to borrow a federal loan, you must submit a FAFSA.
4. What is the recommended filing date?
   New students: December 1. Continuing students: February 1. Submit the WLC Financial Aid Application and the FAFSA before this date to maximize your aid eligibility. After this date, we determine financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis depending on available funds.
5. Why should I file for aid by the recommended filing date?
   Missing this filing date may impact processing time of your financial aid package or state aid eligibility. Wisconsin residents: The state tends to run out of grant money quickly, so file your FAFSA early!
6. Which tax year should I use to complete the FAFSA?
   You will include "prior-prior" year tax information on the FAFSA. For example, for the 2022-2023 FAFSA, you will include your 2020 tax information.
7. Can I file my FAFSA with estimated tax numbers?
   No. This is a recent change. You will now use actual tax numbers from a previous year. Even people with a tax extension will have their actual numbers by October 15 from "prior-prior" year tax documents.
8. When will I receive my financial aid package?
   We will start mailing awards to incoming freshmen beginning in December. Continuing students will receive awards via their myFinancialAid link during the summer. 
9. What is the IRS Data Retrieval Tool? 
   You are required to include tax information on your FAFSA. When completing your FAFSA, you will be given the option of using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer your tax information from the IRS directly into your FAFSA. We highly recommend that you use the Data Retrieval Tool. Your FAFSA is less likely to be chosen for federal verification.  
10. What is verification?
    Your FAFSA may be chosen for federal verification by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). If so, the Financial Aid Office will require some additional information from you to confirm the information on your FAFSA.
11. How do I complete verification?
    If your FAFSA is chosen for verification, you will be notified by our office. You are required to return a completed verification form to us before we can continue processing your financial aid. Verification forms are available in your myFinancialAid account.  
12. Why are you asking me for an IRS Tax Return Transcript or my tax return?
    If your FAFSA is chosen for verification and you have not or cannot use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you will need to obtain an IRS Tax Return Transcript for both you and your parents or submit a signed copy of your federal tax return. The IRS Tax Return Transcript will not be available until after any taxes due have been paid.
13. How do I order an IRS Tax Return Transcript?
    You can order a tax transcript online, by phone or by mail. The IRS website provides directions.
14. What are my loan options?
    Federal Direct Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, and Private Education Loans are available to help you pay for your education. See the Financial Aid Loans webpage for more information.
15. How do I borrow Federal Direct Loans?
    After you receive your financial aid award, accept the loans that you need through your myFinancialAid account. If you are a first time borrower, you must also go to studentloans.gov, log in, complete Entrance Counseling, and complete a loan agreement (Master Promissory Note).        
16. What if I need more loans than listed on my financial aid award letter?
    As a dependent student, if you need more loan funds than offered to you in the Direct Loan program, you will need the help of a parent to borrow a Direct PLUS loan for parents or a credit worthy person to cosign for you for a Private Education Loan.
17. Can I receive WLC scholarships as a part-time student?
    No, you must be enrolled full time for a minimum of 12 credits per semester to receive WLC scholarships and grants. However, certain state or federal aid may be available to part-time students.
18. What if I receive private scholarships or other education funding?
    Congratulations! That helps you pay your bill! Notify the WLC Financial Aid Office if you receive private scholarships or other education funding. By law, such monies must be considered as part of your financial aid package.
19. What if the situation (financial or otherwise) in my family changes after I file my FAFSA?
    Refer to our Special Circumstance Form. We can review your financial aid file to determine if the situation makes you eligible for additional aid.

(As of 10/1/2020)