Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at studentaid.gov. The FAFSA is required for federal aid including Pell Grants, Direct Student Loans, and campus-based programs such as Federal Work-Study.

WSC’s FAFSA School Code is 003007.

No. Your fall award notice typically covers both fall and spring. However, you must re-apply each year starting October 1 for the next academic year.

Priority consideration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note: FAFSAs not completed by August 1 (fall) and December 28 (spring) may experience processing delays. Aid may not disburse by the fee payment deadline; please coordinate a payment plan with the Student Finance Office to avoid being dropped from courses. FAFSAs are processed in the order received.

• Watch for communications from Federal Student Aid and WSC (email/CampusConnection).
• Resolve any verification requests (see “What is verification?” below).
• Review and accept/decline awards in CampusConnection (see instructions below).

Helpful FAFSA resources

• 10 Common FAFSA Mistakes to Avoid
• FAFSA Simplification and Changes to the 2024–2025 FAFSA
• How to Submit the 2024–25 FAFSA if Your Contributor Doesn’t Have an SSN
• Federal Student Aid Estimator – estimate potential federal aid for 2024–2025.

Apply through the WSC Internal Scholarship application or visit our Scholarship page for more information.

Priority deadline is March 15 prior to the year of attendance. Applications may be accepted beyond this date if the online application remains open.

An MPN (Master Promissory Note) is the legal agreement for your Direct Student Loan. It must be completed before loan funds can be disbursed.

Complete it at studentaid.gov using your FSA ID. Go to Loans & Grants → Master Promissory Note (MPN) and choose I’m an Undergraduate Student.

At studentaid.gov with your FSA ID. Go to Loans & Grants → Loan Entrance Counseling and select I am an Undergraduate Student. First-time borrowers must complete Entrance Counseling to receive the first disbursement.

Some applicants are randomly selected by the U.S. Department of Education for verification. WSC must compare your FAFSA data with IRS tax information to confirm accuracy.

Log into CampusConnection at willistonstate.edu with your Student ID and password:

• Click Financial Aid tile
• Change to the correct aid year
• Select Accept/Decline Awards
• Click the Edit (pencil) icon to make selections

You may also return a signed copy of your paper award notice if you prefer.

No. Pell Grant amounts are prorated based on enrollment level and may be available at less than half-time (≤5 credits). Federal student loans require at least half-time enrollment (6–8 credits).

Upon withdrawal, WSC must calculate any required refund/repayment. You may owe funds back to federal programs or to the school depending on timing and aid received.

• Subsidized Loan: Repayment begins 6 months after you withdraw, graduate, or drop below half-time.
• Unsubsidized Loan: Interest is due quarterly; principal repayment begins after the 6-month grace period.
• Perkins Loan: Repayment typically begins 9 months after you withdraw, graduate, or drop below half-time.

Note: Contact your Loan Servicer to repay federal loans. Log in at studentaid.gov with your FSA ID, open your dashboard, and in the My Aid section select View Loan Servicer details.

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Falling below a 2.00 GPA or completing under 66% of attempted credits may result in Financial Aid Probation for one semester; continued deficiency results in disqualification (aid revoked).

Review the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

When all requirements are complete, aid applies to student charges the day before fees are due. Excess aid (refunds) is released about three weeks after classes begin by check or direct deposit.

Visit Refunds & Direct Deposit to set up direct deposit.