After being admitted to Westminster University, the most important step in receiving financial aid is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will need to complete the FAFSA form before each academic year to receive financial aid from the federal government, as well as some need-based institutional aid. You may become eligible for scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study from the federal government and/or Westminster University.

Eligibility

There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid. You should complete a FAFSA if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident seeking financial aid, even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for anything.

VIEW ALL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

When to Apply

Complete the FAFSA as soon as you can after it opens each year for the upcoming academic year. It’s for more than just federal financial aid. The sooner you fill it out, the sooner you will see what financial aid Westminster is offering you. The FAFSA will close on June 30 each year for the prior academic year (example: the 2021–22 FAFSA closes on June 30, 2022).

Things to Know

The FAFSA is free. You don’t need to pay anyone to prepare it for you. Many factors, including your household size and year in school, are considered. The FAFSA looks at yours' and your parents’ prior tax information. For the 2021–22 academic year, the FAFSA uses 2019 tax information. Westminster recommends that you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the FAFSA. Use your permanent email address, not a school email address. After you fill out the FAFSA, you will receive an offer that may include grants and loans. This offer shows you your options; there is no obligation to use any amount of it. 

Westminster’s FAFSA School Code: 003681

How to Apply

Step 1: Before you complete the FAFSA, you and your parent(s) (if you are a dependent for FAFSA purposes) need to create an FSA ID. The FSA ID serves as your username, password, and digital signature.

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA online or download the myStudentAid app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

What to Expect

After you have submitted your FAFSA form, the U.S. Department of Education will process your application. Once the application has been processed, you will receive a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR). Make sure all of the information on that report is complete and accurate. This report will be sent to the colleges you listed in your FAFSA. Once Westminster receives this, the financial aid team will review the information and award you as soon as possible.

Resources

Contact

Westminster’s financial aid counselors prioritize making the financial aid process easier for you. If you need help completing the FAFSA form, you can:

Check out all your financial aid options.

Learn more