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Application Process

How to Apply

• File Application
• Tips
• PIN
• FAFSA Information
• FAFSA Status
• Summer Application
• FAQ

= defined in Glossary

File Application

To determine eligibility for need based financial aid programs, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ) every year. You have three options for filing a FAFSA : online through the internet, print and complete a PDF FAFSA or request a paper FAFSA. Processing is faster filing on the Internet and the error rate is reduced prior to submission. Use the Pre-Application Worksheet to assist you in filling out your FAFSA application on the Web.

The earliest you may file the FAFSA is January 1 prior to the academic year for which you plan to attend WMU. Check with our office for the priority deadlines and the last day to file your FAFSA. Federal and state programs have various deadlines.

Tips When Completing the FAFSA

• Enter your name and social security number exactly as it appears on your social security number card. The FAFSA process will verify your social security number, name, date of birth and citizenship status with the Social Security Administration's database.
• If you are using parent information, be sure to enter at least one of your parent's social security numbers. If you do not enter at least one number, your FAFSA will be rejected.
• Indicate "002330" (federal school code)" Western Michigan University, West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo MI" as one of your college choices.
• Signatures of the student (and parent, if dependent) are very important. (See PIN, below, regarding electronic signatures). Your FAFSA will be rejected if the signatures are not completed and this will delay the processing of your financial aid awards.
• Use your federal tax return when completing your FAFSA to ensure correct information is entered especially related to adjusted gross income and taxes paid.

PIN

When filing through the Internet, you and your parents each need to apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Your PIN also serves as your electronic signature. Your PIN will be available at the time of application so you can use it immediately to electronically sign your FAFSA application. You can also use your PIN to sign for your federal loan master promissory note, check on the status of your FAFSA, make corrections to your FAFSA data, and check your student or parent loan history.

FAFSA Information

The FAFSA gathers information regarding the parent's and student's income, assets, and other related information to determine the expected family contribution. We recommend having your tax return available before filling out the FAFSA. However, you do not need to file your income tax return before submitting the form and you can estimate the information.

FAFSA Status

To check on the status of the FAFSA with the federal processor, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov or call the U.S. Department of Education Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243. TTY users may call 1-800-730-8913.

Create a file for copies of everything you complete, submit and receive related to financial aid.

Summer Application

To apply for Summer I, a Summer I Financial Aid Application is required in addition to the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that is applicable to the financial aid year that includes Summer II, Fall, Spring, Summer I (with Summer I being the end of the financial aid year).  In addition, your parent (your biological or adoptive mother or father) or step-parent whose information is on the FAFSA can apply for a Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) by completing the Summer I Plus Loan Application. As a graduate student, you may apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan after you have received your maximum eligibility of Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan using the Summer I Graduate Plus Loan Application. Application forms are available on the web and in the financial aid office and must be submitted at least 30 days prior to your last date of enrollment in Summer I. 

To apply for Summer II, A Summer II Financial Aid Application is required in addition to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that is applicable to the financial aid year that includes Summer II, Fall, Spring, Summer I (with Summer II being the beginning of the financial aid year).  In addition, your parent (your biological or adoptive mother or father) or step-parent whose information is on the FAFSA can apply for a Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) by completing the Parent PLUS Loan Application. As a graduate student, you may apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan after you have received your maximum eligibility of Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan using the Graduate PLUS Loan Application. Application forms are available on the web and in the financial aid office and must be submitted at least 30 days prior to your last date of enrollment in Summer II. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. My parents don't support me and won't contribute to my education, so why do I need to include my parent's information?

A. It is the Federal government's philosophy that the responsibility to pay for the student's education falls first with the family. A series of criteria identifies whether you are considered Independent and if you do not meet that criteria, you must include parent information.

If there is an unintentional, involuntary, and uncontrollable break in the relationship between parents and students, you may file a Dependency Override Appeal and request to be considered independent. You do not qualify for independent status if your parents are refusing to support your education or provide financial information, if they have decided to not claim you as an exemption on their tax returns, or if you are living on your own and/or providing self-sufficiency.

Q. If my parents are divorced or separated, whose financial data should be used when completing the FAFSA application?

A. You should answer the questions about the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, give answers about the parent who provided more financial support during the last 12 months or during the most recent year that you actually received support from a parent.If this parent is remarried as of the day you complete the FAFSA, answer the questions about that parent and the person your parent married (stepparent).

Q. If I get married, can I update my status for the current year?

A. Once you have submitted your FAFSA application for the current year, you as the student may not update your marital status Contact the financial aid office to determine when you should file your FAFSA if you plan to be married during the academic year.

Q. If I filed a FAFSA last year, do I need to refile the FAFSA again this upcoming year?

A. Yes, however, the second time around is easier. If you are a returning applicant or filed a FAFSA4caster application, you will have the choice to complete a FAFSA that has been pre-filled with certain data from your prior application.