Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
A core step in the financial aid process includes completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. It starts the process of obtaining financial aid from Federal Student Aid — a part of the U.S. Department of Education — the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation.
What to Expect
After transmitting the FAFSA to the Federal Processor, you will receive an email from the U.S. Department of Education in about 3 days. This email will contain a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR lists the data submitted on the FAFSA. Check the information to ensure that it is accurate. If you need to make corrections, you can make them online. The SAR also lists the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). UWA will use the EFC to determine the types and amounts of financial aid you qualify to receive.
NOTE: The FINANCIAL AID AWARD YEAR begins with the fall term. Summer term is the trailer. Your awards for the summer term consist of any available funds and any unused student eligibility for loans.
The FINANCIAL AID PRIORITY DATE is March 1st of each year for the coming fall term. Priority for any available campus-based funds is given to the neediest students that apply before the priority date. After March 1st, funds are awarded on a rolling basis as applications are received. The deadline for the University to receive a FAFSA for the previous year (ends with summer) is June 30th.
FAFSA Verification
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education selects at least one-third of all FAFSA applications for a review process called “verification.” Verification is where the student and the parents or spouse, if applicable, provide documentation that supports the information reported on the FAFSA. The following are the main reasons students are selected:
- The student was selected randomly.
- The FAFSA application has incomplete data.
- The data on the FAFSA application appears to contradict itself.
- The FAFSA application has estimated information on it.
The U.S. Department of Education has customized the verification process to focus only on specific items for each student. Verification will be completed online by KHEAA Verify. Students and parents can sign in and complete the process online here or contact KHEAA Verify by telephone at (855) 272-8771 or by email verification@kheaa.com.
Request for Special Consideration
UWA recognizes that the FAFSA may not always accurately reflect your financial situation and/or dependency status. To that end, we do offer limited considerations for specific situations. Although considerations for specific situations.