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Financial Aid Office

2024-2025 FAFSA UPDATE

The 2024-2025 FAFSA is open! As a reminder, some financial aid funding is limited and can quickly be exhausted, so it is imperative to complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA as soon as possible before the priority filing date of March 15, 2024.

As you are probably aware, the 2024-2025 FAFSA has undergone extensive changes that have led to many challenges and delays. The US Department of Education announced last week that schools are not expected to receive 2024-2025 completed FAFSA information until early March. We will begin communicating financial aid offers to students as quickly as we can once we receive and process the completed 2024-2025 FAFSA Information.  

Please note: There are known issues with the FAFSA form. If you are having trouble completing the form or are curious about the issues, you can review an updated list of issues.

If you need assistance completing the FAFSA or have any questions regarding your financial aid, the WCU Financial Aid Office is available 8-5 Monday-Friday for walk-ins, phone calls (828-227-7290), and emails (finaid@wcu.edu).

Western Carolina University is committed to making higher education achievable for students. We've earned numerous  accolades for providing a quality education at an incredible value, and that won't change. We understand that navigating the details, processes, and available financial aid can be overwhelming. The options below give you a great place to begin. Keep up to date with upcoming deadlines, award changes and once you've submitted your FAFSA, you can track the status and make payments through myWCU. We're here to help make your higher education goals a reality by providing you with the tools and resources you need to pursue your degree.

 

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Western Carolina University is committed to using the Principles & Standards of the College Cost Transparency Initiative in its student financial aid offer.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

In order to receive student financial aid grants and loans, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Before you get started, review the important steps below:

File the FAFSA every academic year, as early as possible. The FAFSA opens every year on October 1 for the following fall semester. 

All communication from the WCU Financial Aid Office is sent directly to the student via Catamount email. The student can also view financial aid requirements and award information in myWCU at any time.

Financial aid offers are typically available starting in March for the upcoming fall semester.  Depending on eligibility, the offer could include grants, scholarships, work study, and student loans

When a financial aid offer is made, the student will be notified by Catamount email with instructions on how to accept the aid offer. The student can accept or decline the offer through myWCU. Please note some forms of financial aid have additional steps for acceptance.

If a federal student loan is accepted, the student will need to complete Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note. If a parent is approved for a federal Parent PLUS Loan, the parent will need to complete a Master Promissory Note, as well. If a graduate student is approved for a Graduate PLUS loan, they will need to complete a Master Promissory Note. Upon graduation or disengagment from the university, the student will need to complete Loan Exit Counseling.

E-bills for fall semester are typically avaiable in early July. The fall semester payment deadline is August 1. Spring semester bills are typically available in mid-November, with a payment deadline of mid-December.  Make sure all financial aid requirements are complete by early July to ensure processing time for the fall payment deadline. 

If there is excess financial aid once university charges are covered, a refund will be generated to the student. Refunds are typically available three weeks after the start of each semester. To ensure swift delivery of any refund, students can set up direct deposit.

Students should repeat these steps every academic year, starting with applying for FAFSA. Student aid is not automatically renewed.


Dates and Deadlines

  • Summer 2024 Financial Aid Offers will be made in March 2024.
  • The 2024-2025 FAFSA is now open. 
  • FAFSA Priority Filing Date for WCU: March 15, 2024. 
  • The 2024-2025 WCU Scholarship Application will close February 1, 2024. (Students who wish to be considered for need-based scholarships must submit FAFSA, in addition to the scholarship application). 

Date Last Reviewed: March 4, 2024

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