Parents do the best they can to help pay for their student's college education.
That’s why it's important they make sure their student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The 2015-16 FAFSA deadline for state aid is March 1.
“Funding is limited,” said Gabriela Garfield, interim senior director of the Office of Student Financial Aid. “Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis.”
For maximum aid in the coming academic year, parents should make sure their student completes the FAFSA as soon as possible and submits all required documents to Wayne State’s Office of Student Financial Aid early to allow time for processing. This will help to ensure funds are ready for students in the fall. The FAFSA is available for the upcoming academic year at fafsa.gov.
Anyone who files the FAFSA after an April 1 deadline is considered a late applicant and may experience delays in receiving a financial aid package. Garfield also wants parents to know that relying on financial aid money isn’t enough to ensure their student’s total tuition cost is covered.
“Regardless of filing a FAFSA, students are ultimately responsible for their tuition,” she said. “Filing one doesn’t automatically exclude you from any requirements to have to pay your bill. Financial aid is here to assist you with finding options or available resources to help with your costs.”
In the last two years, Garfield said there has been a paradigm shift in the Office of Student Financial Aid to focus the students on what they need to do so they’re ready for classes.
More than 20,000 Wayne State students receive some sort of financial aid, Garfield said. But at least several hundred students won’t get any aid because they don’t hand in any of the required documents such as tax transcripts and W2 forms. The financial aid office reviews more than 5,000 tax returns during the year, she said.
Applications for the FAFSA also can affect WSU students who receive financial aid through the federal Pell Grant program. The Pell Grant provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduates and is only available to those who have not yet earned a bachelor's or professional degree. It is prorated based on the student’s enrollment. If enrolled less than full time, grants will be reduced.
“We do have a sizable population that relies on Pell,” Garfield said. “But we want to remind them that the Pell will not cover tuition. If they do qualify for other grants, they are encouraged to determine how much they are responsible for paying.”
More information can be found at the financial aid website or by sending an email to studentservice@wayne.edu or calling 313-577-2100. For questions about FAFSA filing, appeals, financial aid planning or aid eligibility, make an appointment with a financial aid officer at wams.wayne.edu.
