Step 3: Award Notification

The Award Letter

Students who are new to UW-Whitewater will receive a paper award letter, and continuing students will receive an email.  All students can view their aid on WINS once the award notification has been mailed or emailed.  Before that time, WINS will say the award is not available.  Awards for the upcoming academic year are sent beginning February 1.

Please review the Financial Aid Checklist to make sure you are completing all necessary steps to receive your financial aid.

Steps for Accepting Aid

Review all of the award offer carefully to understand the Cost of Attendance and types of aid offered. The deadline to accept the award is May 1. You may lose out on some funding if your award is not accepted prior to May 1. Accepted awards can be declined at a later date for students who change their mind.

1. Log into WINS.
2. From Student Center, click on Accept/Decline Awards and the appropriate aid year.
3. Check the Accept or Decline box for each award. If you would like to reduce one of your loans, click accept, then change the amount.
4. Click Submit!
5. Review all data on the Submit Confirmation page for accuracy and click OK. If something has changed, email the Financial Aid Office. Example: If Load = Full Time, but you plan to enroll for 6 credits, email the Financial Aid Office with this information.
6. If you have not already signed the Student Permission Form, this will pop up.  Please read, then click Next.  Check the "Yes, I have read the agreement" box and click Submit.

If you would like a paper copy of your award, click the Print Award Letter link on the Accept/Decline page.

Reporting Changes

From Student Center, click on Financial Aid Summary and the appropriate aid year.  Here you will find details on what information was used for your award.  You must email the Financial Aid Office regarding any award details which are incorrect.  This includes:

• Changes to enrollment.
• Residency status changes.
• If you were packaged for the academic year, but plan to graduate in December.

Please include your ID# in all communications!

Student Permission Form

Federal financial aid (Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and all Federal Direct Loan programs) will automatically pay for current tution, fees, housing, and meal plan costs.  In order for federal financial aid to pay other costs such as bookstore charges, library fines, healthcare charges, weight room pass, parking pass, etc, students can provide permission to the university.  If you did not complete this while accepting your award and would like to do so, log into WINS and click on View Student Permission from the Student Center.  If  a student wishes to rescind this authorization, they must contact the Student Accounts Office at (262)472-1373.  Federal financial aid cannot pay finance charges or payment plan fees even with permission.

Remaining Cost

After reviewing the award letter, if you have remaining costs, this can be met in a variety of ways. Parents may borrow the PLUS Loan or students may borrow a Private Loan with a credit-worthy cosigner.  These loans require separate applications completed by the borrower.

The Financial Aid Office also encourages students to review the payment plan offered by the university.

Outside Sources of Aid

Students are required to report any sources of aid you will receive which are not included in your award package such as private scholarships, DVR, employer paid tuition, Resident Assistant benefits, tuition waivers, or other sources of aid.  Please submit a Scholarship Form to the Financial Aid Office.  If you learn of other resources at a later date, please submit a a form at that time.

Authorizing Release of Information

From Student Center, click on Release F/A Information. Conditional releases, restricting the release of information to a specific individual, need to be submitted in writing to the Financial Aid Office.

Important Information

When you accept your award, you agree that you understand the following important information:

• Financial aid is subject to change due to changes in enrollment, changes to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), changes to the Cost of Attendance, receipt of outside aid, and/or residency status changes.
• Students must meet all eligibility requirements for financial aid.
• Students must be aware of Satisfactory Academic Progress policies and Withdrawal policies.
• Financial aid will be used to pay your tuition, fees, on campus housing, and meal plan charges.  Authorization must be given for financial aid to pay other goods and services. Federal financial aid cannot pay finance charges or payment plan fees.
• Under certain instances, scholarship, grants, and fellowships may be subject to income tax.  Refer to the IRS for more information.  Keep receipts for any qualified educational expenses.

Special Circumstances

If your family's financial situation has changed, you may want to discuss this with your financial aid administrator to determine if this changes your eligibility for financial aid.

Step 4: Receiving Your Aid