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​​​​​​​​Applying for Financial Aid and Next Steps

​The below information is for the 2023-2024 academic year application process. While the steps to complete the financial aid process are essentially the same, the 2024-2025 financial aid application will have significant changes. The first of these is that the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will not be available to complete until December 31, 2023 and will not be processed until mid-March 2024. We highly recommend you complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after that date. View a snapshot of FAFSA changes and the 2024-2025 financial aid checklist​ to assist you. 

View our financial aid brochure​, FAFSA completion tips, and financial aid checklist to assist you in the financial aid process.

Step 1: Apply for Financial Aid

With one application, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will be considered for various types of federal, state, institutional and possibly private financial aid. The key word here is 'Free', so be sure to use the official website when applying.

If you have not already done so, create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. Your FSA ID is your electronic signature that allows you to submit the FAFSA. You and your parent must create separate FSA IDs. Be sure to hang on to your log in and password since you will use this for future years when applying for aid or to log in to your account to make any changes. Need help creating a FSA ID?​

Complete and submit the FAFSA. Be sure to list UW-Stevens Point's school code, 003924, as a recipient of your information. You can receive help filing your FAFSA by attending College Goal Wisconsin, an event that provides free information and assistance to students and their families who are filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit the Federal Student Aid YouTube channel for informational and how-to videos.

The deadline to apply for financial aid is typically 1-2 weeks before the last day of your enrollment in the academic year. Be aware, we must receive and be able to make a financial aid offer before the last day of your enrollment in a given term. However, applying early is your best assurance of receiving aid when you need it. See Financial Aid's Dates and Deadlines. 

Step 2: After the FAFSA

Once the FAFSA is submitted, the student should receive an email confirmation from the Department of Education. While you may receive estimated award information from the FAFSA submission, this is not an actual award; it is for informational purposes only. You'll have the ability to review your Student Aid Report (SAR) which shows you what you reported on your FAFSA, some information about the aid for which you may be eligible and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). We recommend logging in to the FAFSA website to review your FAFSA for accuracy and make corrections, if necessary. See a sample SAR here.

Every FAFSA with UW-Stevens Point school code (003924) will be sent electronically to the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services. Students will receive an email confirmation that we have received the FAFSA once we begin processing (typically mid-November and weekly thereafter). Be sure to monitor your UWSP email regularly since this is the preferred method of communication by the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services.

Step 3: View your TASK tile

Review your TASK tile in accesSPoint and complete any required tasks.

Rejected FAFSAs

In some situations, the FAFSA will be "rejected." In most cases, this does NOT mean the student is ineligible for aid. Usually a FAFSA will be rejected because there is missing or incomplete information. The most common missing information is a missing signature. Students with a "rejected" FAFSA will be notified by the Department of Education as well as our office. Corrections can be made online at studentaid.gov.

Documentation

Many of our students will be required to submit additional documentation depending on the specific data on the FAFSA. For example, we could request proof of citizenship, selective service registration confirmation, or a copy of a birth certificate to confirm certain FAFSA data. Or, we might request a tax transcript because the application was selected for verification. All required documents will appear within the Task tile in accesSPoint and an email will be sent to the UWSP email. New students will also receive a letter by postal mail requesting their documents.

Submit documents in a timely manner! Your financial aid offer will not be calculated until ALL required information is processed.

Step 4: Your Offer and Next Steps

Once all your requirements/checklists are completed AND once we begin processing the financial aid offers each year (see our Dates and Deadlines webpage), you will receive an email notification with details of your financial aid offer and the steps you need to complete to receive it. It is important that you read all financial aid information provided to ensure you understand the terms of your offer. Visit the Your Financial Aid Offer, Before You Borrow and Next Steps webpages for additional information. 


Additional resources for assisting in the application process can be found here

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