Financial Aid Eligibility

To be eligible for Financial Aid you must: 

  • Have a high school diploma or GED  
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree  
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen  
  • Have a valid Social Security Number  
  • Make satisfactory academic progress  
  • Sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes  
  • Sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on a federal student grant  
  • Register with the Selective Service, if required  

Important FAFSA Information

You should complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available to maximize your financial aid opportunities. The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now open. The application can be completed online at FAFSA Application.

Steps to Receive Financial Aid

  1. Create an FSA ID – Before completing the FAFSA, you must create a free FSA ID at FSA ID Creation.
  2. Complete the FAFSA – Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online and list UWA’s Federal School Code: 001024.
  3. Apply for Admission – If you have not yet applied for admission to UWA, you must do so. A Social Security Number (SSN) is required for financial aid processing.
  4. Submit Requested Documentation – If additional documents are required after FAFSA submission, submit them promptly to avoid processing delays.
  5. Complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling – If you plan to accept federal student loans, you must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling online at Loan Entrance Counseling.
  6. Sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN) – You must electronically sign the MPN at Master Promissory Note to confirm your acceptance of federal student loans.
  7. Register and Begin Classes – To remain eligible for loans, students must be enrolled at least half-time:
    • Undergraduates: Minimum of six (6) credit hours per semester.
    • Graduates: Minimum of three (3) credit hours per semester.
  8. Receive Refund Disbursement – If you have remaining financial aid after tuition and fees are covered, refunds will be disbursed on the Wednesday following the free drop/add week each semester.
  9. Monitor Your Financial Aid Status – You can check your financial aid status on Self-Service at any time. Award letters will be sent to your preferred email address.

What to Expect After Submitting Your FAFSA

After submitting your FAFSA to the Federal Processor, you will receive an email from the U.S. Department of Education within approximately three days. This email will include a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR), which contains the information you provided on your FAFSA.

It is important to review your SAR carefully to ensure all details are accurate. If you find any errors, you can make corrections online. The SAR also includes your Student Aid Index (SAI) (formerly the Expected Family Contribution or EFC), which is used by UWA to determine your eligibility for financial aid and the types and amounts of aid you may receive.

Financial Aid Timeline & Deadlines

The financial aid award year begins with the fall semester, while the summer semester serves as a trailer term. Any remaining loan eligibility or financial aid funds may be applied to summer courses if available.

To receive priority consideration for need-based campus financial aid, students should submit their FAFSA by March 1st for the upcoming fall term. Students who apply after this date will be awarded on a rolling basis as funds remain available. The final deadline to submit a FAFSA for the previous academic year (ending with summer) is June 30th.

The financial aid deadline for each term is 10 days before registration. If your financial aid file is incomplete by this time, you will need to cover tuition and fees with personal funds. If a balance remains unpaid 14 days after classes begin, a $20 late fee will be added to your account.

FAFSA Simplification Act: What You Need to Know

The FAFSA Simplification Act brings significant changes to the federal student aid process, starting with the 2024–25 award year. These updates impact how financial need is calculated, who qualifies for aid, and how students apply.

Key Changes

  • New Student Aid Index (SAI)
    The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) has been replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI), introducing a new method for determining financial aid eligibility. This formula no longer considers the number of family members in college and allows for a minimum SAI of -1500.
  • Updated Family Definitions
    Family size will now be determined based on tax return data, aligning with IRS reporting to ensure accuracy.
  • Expanded Pell Grant Access
    More students will qualify for Federal Pell Grants, with eligibility linked to family size and federal poverty levels. Incarcerated students and those impacted by school closures or institutional misconduct may also regain Pell Grant eligibility.
  • A Simplified FAFSA Form
    The FAFSA will now be easier to complete, utilizing IRS data to automatically calculate Pell Grant eligibility and SAI. Additionally, the form no longer includes questions about Selective Service registration or drug convictions. New questions about gender, race, and ethnicity have been added, but they do not impact aid eligibility.