Apply for Aid

Apply for Aid

Instructions below apply to domestic first-year and transfer students. If you are an international student, visit international student resources.

Are you a returning student looking for guidelines and required forms to re-apply for financial aid for the next academic year? Visit “How Do I Apply?"

How to Apply

The process to apply for university-funded need-based grants is below.  The complete application must be submitted by the deadline to be considered for a university-funded need-based grant or the W&L Promise. 

Step 1: Complete the 2025-26 CSS Profile

  • Our school code is 5887
  • A PROFILE application is required for both parent households if your parents are divorced, separated, or unmarried.

Step 2: Submit Your 2023 Federal Tax Returns to W&L

  • Your and your parents’ 2023 federal tax returns including all schedules, W-2s, 1099s, etc
  • 2023 Federal tax returns for businesses and corporations including all schedules, K-1s, etc (if applicable)
  • If your parents are divorced, separated, or unmarried, your non-custodial parent’s tax return is also required.
  • If you or your parent is not required to file a 2023 federal tax return, please submit the W&L Non-Tax Filer Statement.
  • Submit documents via the W&L electronic upload. (W&L does not participate in IDOC and cannot access documents submitted through the IDOC system.)

Step 3: Complete the 2025-26 FAFSA online using your 2023 federal tax returns

  • Our school code is 003768
  • Note: The Department of Education has announced that it will make the 2025-26 FAFSA available to students on December 1, 2024. If you are applying for Early Decision 1 or QuestBridge then the FAFSA will not be required for the initial W&L need-based application, but you will need to complete the FAFSA before February 15, 2025. The FAFSA is required to finalize federal awards, any adjustments will not change the total grant amount offered in your Early Decision financial aid notification. All Regular Decision applicants should submit the entire need-based application, including the FAFSA, by February 15, 2025.

Step 4: Monitor Aid Status

Once you have applied for admission, you can monitor the status of your Financial Aid application online by logging into the Applicant Portal. Once logged in, click on the Financial Aid Tab. All financial aid documents currently required of the student will be listed along with a status of Awaiting or Received.

Step 5: Receive your Award Package

Aid awards will be available in your Applicant Portal when released. A paper copy will also be mailed to you. Once you receive your financial aid award, you can make an informed decision about choosing W&L as your home for the next four years!


Financial Aid Deadlines

Merit Application Deadline
December 1 Johnson Scholarship
To be considered for any form of merit scholarships, students must complete the Common App for admission and the Johnson Scholarship supplement.
Need-Based Grant Deadlines
December 1 Early Decision I Applicants
January 15 Early Decision II Applicants
February 15 Regular Decision Applicants
March 15 Transfer Applicants

Federal Financial Aid

Eligibility for any federally funded need-based grant, federal student and/or parent loan, or federal work-study requires the submission of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) To ensure adequate time to process federal aid, the FAFSA application should be submitted by the financial aid application deadline relevant to your admissions application. You are not required to submit the W&L University need-based grant application to receive federal aid. If you wish to be considered for W&L need-based grant, you will need to submit the W&L University need-based grant application.

Additional Information

  • Steps 1, 2 and 3 are required to determine eligibility for any W&L need-based assistance.  This aid will be included on your financial aid award letter.
  • Your 2023 federal tax returns are the only tax returns required by the financial aid deadline. 2024 tax returns are not required to complete the application.
  • All admitted applicants who submit the FAFSA will receive an award letter indicating their eligibility for federal financial aid awards. If at all possible, do not submit your FAFSA with estimated tax figures.
  • Special Circumstances? You are welcome to notify our office of any special or unusual circumstances beyond the family’s control which will limit your ability to afford educational costs.  To do so, please submit the Notification of Special Circumstances.
  • We do not accept documents submitted via fax or email. Please submit documents via the electronic upload.