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Financial Aid Eligibility

To be eligible for Financial Aid you must: 

• Have a high school diploma or GED  
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree  
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen  
• Have a valid Social Security Number  
• Make satisfactory academic progress  
• Sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes  
• Sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on a federal student grant  
• Register with the Selective Service, if required  

Important FAFSA Information

Complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available for the academic year you plan to attend. Applying early maximizes your eligibility for grants, work-study, and other limited funding. The application can be completed online at .

Steps to Receive Financial Aid

1. Create an FSA ID – Before completing the FAFSA, you must create a free FSA ID at .
2. Complete the FAFSA – Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online and list UWA’s Federal School Code: 001024.
3. Apply for Admission – If you have not yet applied for admission to UWA, you must do so. A Social Security Number (SSN) is required for financial aid processing.
4. Submit Requested Documentation – If additional documents are required after FAFSA submission, submit them promptly to avoid processing delays.
5. Complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling – If you plan to accept federal student loans, you must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling online at .
6. Sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN) – You must electronically sign the MPN at to confirm your acceptance of federal student loans.
7. Register and Begin Classes – Register for classes and begin attending. Your enrollment level determines your financial aid eligibility. Federal Direct Loan borrowers must be enrolled at least half-time to receive loan funds, and students enrolled less than full-time may receive a reduced loan amount based on federal Schedule of Reduction (SOR) requirements.
   • Undergraduate students: At least 6 credit hours per semester to receive federal student loans.
   • Graduate students: At least 3 credit hours per semester to receive federal student loans.
8. Receive Refund Disbursement – If you have remaining financial aid after tuition and fees are covered, refunds are issued after financial aid has been disbursed and the University’s drop/add period has ended, according to the published refund schedule.
9. Monitor Your Financial Aid Status – You can check your financial aid status on at any time. Award letters will be sent to your preferred email address.

Understanding the Schedule of Reduction (SOR)

Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, federal regulations require Direct Loan eligibility to be prorated based on a student’s enrollment intensity. This requirement is known as the Schedule of Reduction (SOR).

Students enrolled less than full-time may receive a reduced annual loan amount. Loan eligibility is calculated based on the total number of credit hours in which a student is enrolled for the academic year before each loan disbursement.

• Undergraduate students: Full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours per semester (24 credit hours for the academic year).
• Graduate students: Full-time enrollment is determined by 6 credit hours per semester (12 credit hours for the academic year).

If your enrollment changes before a loan disbursement, your loan eligibility may be recalculated. In addition, if you drop courses after your fall loan has been disbursed, your remaining eligibility for the spring disbursement may be adjusted based on your updated enrollment.

For questions about how your enrollment may affect your federal student loans, contact the Financial Aid Office.

What to Expect After Submitting Your FAFSA

After submitting your FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education will notify you once your FAFSA has been processed. You can then access your FAFSA Submission Summary through your StudentAid.gov account. Most online FAFSA forms are processed immediately, although some may take one to three days.

Review your FAFSA Submission Summary carefully to ensure your information is accurate. If corrections are needed, you can update your FAFSA through StudentAid.gov. Your FAFSA Submission Summary includes your Student Aid Index (SAI), which UWA uses when determining your eligibility for financial aid.

Financial Aid Timeline & Deadlines

The financial aid award year begins with the fall semester, while the summer semester serves as a trailer term. Any remaining loan eligibility or financial aid funds may be applied to summer courses if available.

To receive priority consideration for need-based campus financial aid, students should submit their FAFSA by March 1st for the upcoming fall term. Students who apply after this date will be awarded on a rolling basis as funds remain available. The final deadline to submit a FAFSA for the previous academic year (ending with summer) is June 30th.

The financial aid deadline for each term is 10 days before registration. If your financial aid file is incomplete by this time, you will need to cover tuition and fees with personal funds. If a balance remains unpaid 14 days after classes begin, a $20 late fee will be added to your account.