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Financial Aid & Affordability

A college education is an investment in your future. At WSU, using financial aid to pay for college is easier than you think.

Paying for College
At WSU, you have a wide range of options to help you pay for college. Many students use financial aid to make their college education more affordable.
How to Pay for College
Two female students work on a laptop in the Warrior Hub.
$5,231
Average Award from WSU for First-Year Students

This is the average amount of scholarships and grants from just WSU.

There’s more aid available to you with state and federal programs as well as outside scholarships.

81%
of All Students Receive Financial Aid

It’s not just your first year. Our aid extends to returning students, transfers, and graduate students too!

Financial Aid Process

Financial Aid Timeline

In general, you should start applying for financial aid in the Fall of the year before you plan to go to college.

The U.S. Education Department is experiencing additional delays with the FAFSA. This means you won’t receive your financial aid information as soon as you might’ve expected.

Given what we know right now, you can expect to receive your preliminary award letter in early to mid-April. Our team will continue to watch the situation closely and will let you know ASAP if anything changes.

We promise to do everything we can to make sure you and your family have enough time to review and consider all your financial aid options before making your college decision.

These delays are frustrating, but we’re here to help! If you’re experiencing difficulties with the application or have any questions, let us know. Call 507.457.5090 or email financialaid@winona.edu for a quick reply.

October

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible starting Oct. 1.

November-December

Complete any follow-up paperwork if needed, so there are no processing delays.

May-July

Over the Spring, the Financial Aid Office will process your FAFSA.

In May, you’ll get an estimated financial aid award and then a final total around June or July.

August-September

Once you accept your funds, the money is disbursed to your student account around August or September to pay your tuition bill.

This timeline will vary depending on when you complete the FAFSA. You have until May 15 before you’re considered a late filer, though waiting can cause a delay in receiving your award funds.

Once you’re a current student, you’ll need to complete the FAFSA each year to continue receiving financial aid.

Eligibility for Financial Aid

About 94% of WSU students qualify for some form of financial aid, so it’s likely you will too!

To receive federal or institutional funds from the WSU Financial Aid Office, you must meet these basic criteria:

  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Be enrolled as a regular student (i.e., not special admit or audit) in a degree-granting program
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Be making satisfactory academic progress toward completion of your degree
  • Not owe a refund on any federal grant
  • Not be in default on any student loan previously received
  • Be registered with the Selective Service and the INS if required by law to do so
  • Not have been rendered ineligible for federal aid as a result of a drug conviction

Scholarships and private loans may have other eligibility criteria.

Calculate Your Financial Aid

The WSU Financial Aid Office relies on these 3 numbers to calculate your financial aid.

Your level of financial need determines how much money you can be awarded through various aid programs. WSU tries to meet that need through need-based aid programs such as grants and scholarships.

If you have remaining need, you’ll likely be offered federal student loans to cover costs.

Net Price Calculator

You can get an estimate of your tuition costs, related expenses, and financial aid awards with the Net Price Calculator.

Contact Us

Need help figuring out the financial aid process? Have questions about your award letter or how aid money is distributed?

Financial aid counselors are available to help you understand how you can fund your college education.