If you’re looking to apply for financial aid for any of the programs at West Coast University, the FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the place to start.
The FAFSA is the form you need to fill out to receive financial aid, including federal and state grants and loans, to help pay for higher education. Every year, millions of students who file the FAFSA are offered grants, work-study programs, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education. Individual states also provide financial assistance.
Even if you believe you make too much money to qualify for federal assistance, it’s important to complete the FAFSA to ensure you’ve maximized all options for funding. Don’t merely assume you won’t qualify. Submitting a FAFSA does not commit you to accepting any type of award. It simply provides information to help determine what types of financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
The New, Simplified FAFSA
The FAFSA has been dramatically simplified to make applying for aid easier than ever. Recent changes represent the most significant overhaul of the federal student aid application in decades. Here’s what makes it better:
- Fewer questions: Down from 108 to about 36-46 questions
- Faster processing: Applications are typically processed in 1-3 days
- Easier tax reporting: Automatic, secure transfer of IRS tax data
- More aid for more students: Expanded Pell Grant eligibility helps more low- and moderate-income families
- Better for families: Streamlined process reduces burden on students and parents
Basic Facts About the FAFSA Application
- Anyone who plans to apply for financial assistance needs to complete the FAFSA. The application requires you to provide information about your and your family’s finances, including tax information from two years prior.
- As its name implies, the FAFSA is free. Never pay anyone to help you complete it. Your school’s Financial Aid Office can assist you at no cost. The Department of Education also offers a toll-free call center (1-800-4-FEDAID) as well as a chat function during regular business hours.
- You must complete the FAFSA each year to continue receiving financial aid. The application typically becomes available in the fall for the following academic year, though the exact opening date can vary.
Important: Understanding Contributors
The new FAFSA introduces the term “contributor” to describe anyone who must provide information on your application. This is a crucial concept to understand before you begin.
Contributors may include:
- You (the student)
- Your spouse (if married and didn’t file taxes jointly)
- Your biological or adoptive parent(s)
- Your parent’s spouse (stepparent)
Critical requirement: All contributors must:
- Create a StudentAid.gov account
- Provide consent for IRS data transfer
- Complete their section of the FAFSA
- Provide an electronic signature
Note: Parents without Social Security numbers can now create accounts and complete the FAFSA. This is a major change that opens access to more families.
How to Complete the FAFSA
Before You Start
Create StudentAid.gov accounts: You and all contributors must create accounts at StudentAid.gov before beginning the FAFSA. Allow up to three days for account verification. This account serves as your electronic signature and gives you access to federal student aid resources.
Important for divorced or separated parents: If you’re a dependent student with divorced or separated parents, the parent who provided the most financial support over the last 12 months must complete the FAFSA (this is a change from previous rules). If that parent is remarried and didn’t file taxes jointly, their spouse must also be a contributor.
Completing the Application
- Visit fafsa.gov and log in with your StudentAid.gov account
- Complete the student section with your personal and financial information
- Invite contributors via email to complete their sections
- Provide consent for automatic IRS tax data transfer—this is required for all contributors
- List schools where you’re applying (you can add up to 20 schools)
If you are thinking of attending West Coast University, be sure to list WCU’s school code in the “school section” of the application so that we have access to your eligibility data.
WCU’s school code is: 036983
About Automatic Tax Data Transfer
The FAFSA now uses a Direct Data Exchange with the IRS. This means:
- Tax information is automatically and securely transferred
- You cannot manually enter tax data (this ensures accuracy)
- All contributors must provide consent, even if they didn’t file taxes or filed outside the U.S.
- The process is faster and reduces errors compared to the old system
How FAFSA Funding Is Calculated
Your FAFSA results generate a Student Aid Index (SAI), which replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The SAI is used by schools to determine your financial aid eligibility.
Key facts about the SAI:
- It’s an index number, not a dollar amount you must pay
- It can range from -1500 to 999999
- A lower or negative number may increase your aid eligibility
- It’s calculated based on family income, assets, family size, and federal poverty guidelines
Important change: The number of family members in college is no longer included in the calculation (except you, the applicant).
FAFSA Timing and Deadlines
When to apply:
- The FAFSA typically opens in the fall (historically October 1, though recent years have seen variation)
- Check StudentAid.gov for the current year’s exact opening date
- The federal deadline is June 30 of your enrollment year
Why early application matters:
- Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis
- States and schools often have earlier deadlines than the federal government
- Early FAFSA completion streamlines your financial aid packaging process
- You’ll have more time to plan and explore additional funding options
State grant opportunities: You may also qualify for state grant funding from California or Florida if you’re a resident of either of these states. States have their own deadlines, which are often earlier than the federal deadline, so don’t delay submitting your FAFSA if you’re looking to maximize all opportunities for financial assistance.
What Happens After You Submit
Once your FAFSA is processed:
- You’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary via email (usually within 1-3 days)
- Your SAI will be calculated and shared with the schools you listed
- Schools will use this information to create your financial aid offer
- You can make corrections or add schools if needed
Understanding Financial Aid Offers
When schools send you financial aid offers, they may include:
Gift Aid (doesn’t need to be repaid):
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- State grants
- Institutional scholarships and grants
Earned Aid:
- Federal Work-Study programs
Loans (must be repaid):
- Direct Subsidized Loans (interest paid by government while you’re in school)
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans (interest accrues immediately)
- Direct PLUS Loans for parents or graduate students
FAFSA Fast Facts
While WCU cannot guarantee financial aid, we encourage all students to apply for federal assistance.
- Watch this video to learn how to complete the FAFSA
- Additional financial aid information is available from WCU
- WCU also has advisors who can assist with the FAFSA and answer any questions you may have about financial aid
Tips for Success
- Create StudentAid.gov accounts early (allow 3 days for verification)
- Gather tax documents and financial information before you start
- Communicate with contributors about their role and the consent requirement
- Apply as early as possible when the form opens
- Double-check school codes, including WCU’s: 036983
- Save your progress frequently
- Review everything carefully before submitting
- Keep copies of your FAFSA Submission Summary
Remember: The FAFSA is free. Never pay anyone to complete it for you.
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
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