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Financial Aid Application Checklist

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is available at the end of December. Students will use tax information from the previous year and should complete their application as soon as possible by March 1 to be considered for the most financial aid.

1

Complete Your FAFSA (or WASFA)

Tip: Check basic eligibility requirements to determine which financial aid application you should complete. Students unable to file a FAFSA may qualify to complete the WASFA. WASFA applicants can skip to step 3 after completing the application. View resources for WASFA applicants.

  • Complete the financial aid application by March 1 for the correct academic year to receive the best financial aid offer. FAFSA or WASFA submissions received after February 1 are still considered, but awards are made on a funds-available basis and late applicants may not receive all the aid for which they might otherwise qualify.
  • When you apply to the FAFSA, use EWU’s school code: 003775.

Start Your FAFSA

2

Review your Student Aid Report (FASFA Applicants)

Log in to studentaid.gov using your FSA ID and password to:

  • Check your financial aid application status
  • View your Student Aid Report (SAR) information*
  • Correct your application data
  • Electronically sign your applications

Parents can also use their FSA ID and password to sign their student’s financial aid applications electronically.

*Your Student Aid Report (SAR) is available for viewing approximately three days after you complete and submit your application. Review your SAR and make any necessary corrections. Keep a copy for your records; we will receive an electronic copy if you listed EWU as one of the receiving schools.

3

Respond to Your Financial Aid Offer

After your file is complete, you will receive an email from our office directing you to view your financial aid offer on EagleNET. Follow the steps outlined in the email to accept or reject each type of aid offered. If we do not hear from you, the offer may be subject to cancellation. You will be notified of all subsequent award revisions via your EWU student e-mail account or by paper if you have not yet confirmed your intent to enroll.

If you are awarded a Federal Direct Loan or Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), additional steps are necessary to obtain these loans.

Respond to Verification Requests

Approximately thirty percent of all applications are selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are selected, the EWU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office are required to verify the information submitted on your application. Respond immediately to requests for additional information.

4

Receive Financial Aid Funds

  1. Your financial aid will first be applied to any outstanding university charges.
  2. Any remaining funds will be disbursed to you on or after the first day of each term. You can receive your remaining funds by 1) direct deposit to a bank account or 2) by check sent to your mailing address on file with EWU. A check will automatically be mailed if you do not select direct deposit. You may update your address at any time in EagleNET.

Additional financial aid disbursement information is available in the Aid Offer Instructions section.

FAFSA Application Tips

  • Request a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. It’s the first step in the process and can take several weeks. Learn more with FSA ID FAQs.
  • If you are a dependent student, make sure your parents request their own FSA ID. They need an FSA ID that’s different from yours.
  • Before you start, make sure you have copies of your federal income tax forms. If you’re a dependent student, you’ll need your parents’ federal income tax forms, too.
  • Use the IRS Data Retrieval tool within the FAFSA application if you’re eligible to do so.
  • File the correct FAFSA for the correct school year.
  • Make sure your Social Security Number is accurate. Use the exact name on your social security card.
  • Include your name and university ID on every document you send to EWU.
  • Update your EWU records and correct your processed FAFSA whenever you have an address change. EWU address changes may be made in EagleNET at any time.
  • Check your EWU student email account frequently. We will send email to your EWU student account throughout the year.
  • Reapply by the priority date each year. If you have a FAFSA on file from the previous year, use the FAFSA Renewal Application to reuse your information.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for federal and state financial aid, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • You must be formally admitted to Eastern.
  • You must be a United States citizen or be in the U.S. on a permanent visa status.
  • You must be seeking a degree or certification in an eligible program.
  • You must not be in default on any federal education loan, and you must not owe a refund due to overpayment of a previous federal grant or loan at any college or university.
  • You must have a valid Social Security Number.
  • You must be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Financial Aid Eligibility for Certificate Programs

Students taking EWU certificates as stand-alone programs are generally not eligible for federal aid. However, private aid may be available. This restriction does not apply to students taking certificate programs as a part of larger degree programs or to teacher certification students. Contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions about whether a particular certificate program is eligible for aid.

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Our Financial Aid department’s support will help you find financing opportunities from your first year through graduation.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Office

Office: 333 Eagle LN, 102 Sutton Hall, Cheney, WA 99004

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Phone: 509.359.2314 | Fax: 509.359.4330
Email: finaid@ewu.edu

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