Frequently Asked Questions

Is W&L need blind?

The Admission's Office makes their decisions independently of the Financial Aid Office.  Applying for financial aid has no bearing on whether or not you will be admitted to the University.

How can I afford W&L?  Will W&L meet my full demonstrated need?

When you apply for financial aid at W&L, a variety of factors are taken into account.  Most award letters include a combination of grants, scholarships, and parents loans.  W&L's Financial Aid Office is committed to meeting any student's full demonstrated need.

How are my full demonstrated need and my family contribution determined?

W&L uses its own formula to determine an individual's eligibility for aid within standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education.  We take into account family size, income, taxes, living costs, number of siblings currently enrolled in college, assets, and other personal or financial circumstances that may be pertinent.  The amount of family contribution determined is then subtracted from the cost of attendance for the academic year.

Can I estimate my family contribution?

W&L's formula may differ from other estimates, but we encourage you to look at the College Board's website at http://www.collegeboard.com.  Follow the directions on the site, and their institutional formula may give you an idea of how much your family might be expected to contribute.

How is my financial aid package divided among scholarships, loans, and work?

All financial aid awards made by W&L will be a combination of grants, student employment, and any merit scholarship money offered from the college.  If a student's family chooses not to pay the full amount of estimated family contribution, loans may be used to offset this cost.

What does W&L cost?

Please see "Cost of Attendance" under "Prospective Undergraduates" for a comprehensive breakdown of tuition and other financial costs for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Are merit-based scholarships offered?

W&L's merit-based scholarships are offered through the Johnson Scholarship program which awards tuition and room and board.  The Scholarship application deadline is 1 December 2008.  To find out more about the Scholarship competition, please visit the Johnson Scholarship website

How are outside scholarships handled?

W&L meets your full demonstrated need, so your aid package will be adjusted to accommodate additional funds such as those from scholarships.

Is there assistance for parents?

Parents may apply for the Parent PLUS loan to meet the family contribution portion of a student's aid package.  For more information, please visit: http://www.parentplusloan.com

Is financial aid assured in the future?

You must reapply for financial aid each year, but it is normally renewable for four years as long as the student maintains satisfactory progress towards a degree and the family's financial circumstances remain the same.  The amount of financial aid the University can grant students, however, may change from year to year.

As an early decision applicant, when will I receive my financial aid package?  Regular decision?

You will receive your financial aid package within ten days of notice of admission to W&L.  This applies to both early and regular admission decisions.

Is financial aid available for Canadians?

International students whose parent reside in the United States or Canada should complete the College Scholarship Service Profile and follow the same application instructions as United States citizens. 

Is financial aid available for other non-United States citizens?

W&L provides both need and merit-based assistance to between twenty and twenty-five international students in each entering class.  Awards range from several thousand dollars to the full annual cost of education.  It should be understood, however, that admission to W&L does not guarantee financial assistance.

Is financial aid available for transfers?

Availability of W&L grant funding for transfer students varies from year to year.  Please contact the Financial Aid Office for discussion of availability of assistance.  Applicants should have completed applications on file by 9 May 2009.

May I study abroad with financial aid?

Financial Aid is available for all study abroad programs, but special consideration is taken into account for programs not offered through the College.  All Spring Term abroad programs require a separate application for financial aid.

What forms do I need, where do I get them, and when are they due?

See the "Need-Based Aid" section for more information regarding necessary forms: http://www.wlu.edu/x3664.xml

When should I apply for financial aid consideration?

Because there is no guarantee we will be able to offer aid after the deadline has passed, it is important to apply for financial aid at the same time you apply for admission to the University.

What is the income cutoff for financial aid eligibility?

There is no specific income cutoff for financial aid eligibility.  Any student interested in applying for financial aid should do so as we examine all aspects of a family's ability to contribute to the cost of attendance in a given year.

I heard that admission decisions and financial aid decisions are made separately at W&L.  Why do you ask if I am interested in financial aid on the admission application?

The Financial Aid Office at W&L needs to know approximately how many people intend to apply for aid in a given year as that number determines how much money we need to allocate and how much we have to work with in meeting a student's full demonstrated need.

If I ask for financial aid consideration will I lessen my chances for admission?

W&L's admissions decisions are need-blind which means your financial situation is not taken into account when evaluating whether or not you will be offered a place in the first-year class.

Will I receive more financial aid if I apply for admission in the early decision cycles or in the regular decision cycle?

Early and regular decision cycles only apply to the Office of Admissions, but it is important to make sure your application for financial aid is completed and received by our office before the deadline.

I'm having trouble getting my forms in on time for the deadline.  May I still apply for financial aid?

W&L welcomes financial aid materials at any time, although the availability of money we have set aside for a given year decreases the longer you wait to submit materials after the deadline has passed.  We encourage you strongly to submit financial aid information by the deadline to ensure you will receive the maximum amount of available aid.

How does campus employment work at W&L?

Students may be offered work study positions within specific departments at the University.  Placement is determined after a student accepts her or his offer of admission.  Students may also do community service.

Must I maintain a minimum grade point average to keep my scholarship?

If you receive a scholarship from the University, you must maintain a 3.0 grade point average.

Can I apply for financial aid as an independent student?

Yes, although we urge you to contact the Financial Aid Office directly as very specific information is required to determine your award package.

Does W&L allow graduate students or parents to be counted as family members in college?

No.  Only those currently enrolled as undergraduates and not independent of their parents can be counted as family members in college.

Is consumer debt considered part of the calculation in determining the family contribution?

Consumer debt is not considered specifically in determining family contribution, but we do take family circumstances as a whole into account.

What happens if the family asset values change from the time of application?

W&L understands, especially now, the potential for rapidly changing family circumstances.  We encourage you to notify the Financial Aid Office if anything changes as soon as possible to determine what resources are available after the time of application.

How many hours a week are expected for a campus job?

First-years are allowed to work a maximum of five hours per week in work study employment; upperclass students may work up to ten.

Can I have a campus job if I'm not receiving financial aid?

Campus jobs not affiliated with the Work Study program are available through the College.  They are considered separate means of employment and will not contribute to the cost of your attendance.

What types of aid are available?

Grant money is provided for some financial aid applicants.  Students are expected to contribute to their financial aid package in the form of a work study position or Stafford Loans.  The parental contribution can be met through the Parent PLUS loan.

Can I be considered for financial aid in future years if I did not receive any financial aid in my first year?

Yes.  We encourage you to contact the Financial Aid Office at any time should your family circumstances change.

What are W&L's financial aid application codes?

CSS Profile code: 5887

FAFSA code: 003768

How do I apply for my Stafford Loan?

Please visit http://www.staffordloan.com for information on how to apply for Stafford Federal Student Loans.

What is a financial aid package?

A financial aid package is the combination of any grant or scholarship money given by the University, outside scholarships received, and any parent or student loans.