Financial Aid Application Process -
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How to Apply - FAFSA Checklist

• Complete the FAFSA
  
• Make a copy of the FAFSA for personal files.
  
• Make sure all the required signatures are on the FAFSA before it is mailed.
  
• Make sure the FAFSA is mailed to the address indicated on the form.

• Create a permanent file to keep copies of the completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as all pertinent financial aid materials, including tax returns, bills, receipts, canceled checks, correspondence, award notices, etc. The documents may be needed for future reference.
  
• Notify the Records Office or the Financial Aid Office of any change of address or telephone number to ensure that all information, application forms, award notices, etc. are received.
  
• Apply by announced deadlines to ensure consideration for all available aid.
  
• Understand your financial responsibility, including the obligation to pay WNMU bills and repay any student loans.
  
• Keep the Financial Aid Office informed of any changes in enrollment status that may affect your aid (i.e. drops, adds, withdrawals, changes in program, any outside scholarships or other resources).
  
• Read all financial aid literature received and share it with parents or guardians, if applicable.

Four to six weeks after the financial aid application is mailed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). The first page of the SAR will state whether you have been selected for verification. If so, you must submit supporting documentation with your SAR to the Financial Aid Office. See the "Verification" section below for further information.

Your SAR contains several sections:

• Part 1- Information Summary
  
  This summary contains your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is an index number used to determine how much Pell Grant money a student is entitled to receive. It is also used as the amount of money the federal government can reasonably expect you and your family to contribute toward your education.
  
• Part 2- Information Review Form
  
  A processed application with an EFC will produce an Information Review Form. It can serve as a correction form, allowing the student to review the information and check for errors. If errors are found, contact the Financial Aid Office for corrections to be processed electronically.
  OR
  
• Information Request Form
  
  If the student receives an Information Request Form, that means that the application could not be processed. Since an EFC could not be calculated, the student should contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance with the correction and to process the SAR electronically.
  
  All the information on the SAR must be correct before a student can receive financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid Office with questions about the SAR.

• Income
  
• Federal income tax paid
  
• Household size
  
• The number of family members enrolled at least half-time in post-secondary schools
  
• Certain untaxed income and benefits received
  
  To verify the above, you will be asked to provide:
  
  • A completed verification worksheet - This form is available online to print.
  • Dependant students complete the Dependent Verification Worksheet
  • Independent students complete the Independent Verification Worksheet
  
  
• The student's previous year U.S. Income Tax Return 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ and/or the parents' previous year U.S. Income Tax Return
  
• The students and/or parents previous years W-2’s
  
• Other documentation required or requested
  
  If the student or his/her family receives benefits, statements from the following organizations will be requested:
  
  • The Social Security Administration
    
  • The Veterans Administration
    
  • Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), or other agencies