Step 3: Award Notification

The Financial Aid Offer

Students who are new to UW-Whitewater will receive a paper financial aid offer; continuing students will receive an email directing them to view their financial via WINS.  All students can view their aid on WINS once the notification has been mailed or emailed.  Before that time, WINS will say the financial aid offer is not available.  

Once you have been awarded financial aid, there are important steps you need to follow to accept and fully process the financial aid you have been awarded.  We have outlined those steps below, but for a printable version of important Financial Aid Offer information, please review the appropriate aid year's brochure below:

Understanding Your 2023-2024 Financial Aid Offer

Steps for Accepting and Processing Your Financial Aid

Please click the links below to learn about important steps you need to complete in order for your Financial Aid to be fully processed.

Step 1: Review/Accept Your Financial Aid

Step 2: Decide Who Has Access to Your Financial Aid

Step 3: Provide Authorization to Pay Miscellaneous Charges

Step 4: Report Outside Sources of Aid

Step 5: Complete Loan Requirements

Step 6: Estimate Costs & Research Additional Financing Options

Step 7: Prepare for Billing

Step 8: Learn More About Federal Work-Study and Student Employment

Step 9: Review Requirements to Receive Your Financial Aid

Step 10: Review Financial Aid Policies

Step 1: Review/Accept Your Financial Aid

When using a computer:

1. Log in to WINS.  (We recommend using a computer, rather than a mobile device, to accept/reduce/decline your aid.)
2. From Student Home, click on the Financial Aid tile.  Click Continue when asked to Conduct Business Online.
3. Once the Financial Aid page opens, ensure the correct aid year is displayed in the upper left hand corner, if not click Change and select the correct aid year. 
   
   1. For Fall 23, Spring 24, and Summer 24, ensure it states 2023-2024
4. Click Accept/Decline. 
5. Choose Accept or Decline in the Award Decision column for each award.  If you would like to reduce one of your loans, choose accept, check the Reduce box, then change the amount in the Accepted column (if reducing your loan, note that the amount you put in there will be divided equally between fall and spring semester).
6. Click Submit!
7. If you have not already signed the Student Permission Form, this will display.  Please read, then click Next.  Check the "Yes, I have read the agreement" box and click Submit. This allows federal financial aid to pay miscellaneous charges such as books, parking permits, weight room fees, and health service fees. For more info, review the information provided by Student Accounts.

When using a mobile device:

1. Log in to WINS.  
2. From Student Home, click on the Financial Aid tile.  Click Continue when asked to Conduct Business Online.
3. Once the Financial Aid page opens, ensure the correct aid year is displayed in the upper left hand corner, if not click Change and select the correct aid year. 
   
   1. For Fall 23, Spring 24, and Summer 24, ensure it states 2023-2024
4. Select the Outstanding Offers option.
5. Click one the award you would like to accept or decline and it will take you to the Award Decision page.
6. Choose Accept or Decline in the Award Decision column for each award.  If you would like to reduce one of your loans, choose accept, check the Reduce box, then change the amount in the Accepted column (if reducing your loan, note that the amount you put in there will be divided equally between fall and spring semester).
7. Click Submit!

Step 2: Decide Who Has Access to Your Financial Aid Information

FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, sets forth requirements regarding the privacy of student records. FERPA generally prohibits the release of confidential personally identifiable student data without the student’s written, signed consent.  Parents, guardians, and spouses have no inherent or legal rights to receive information about the student’s education records, regardless of the student’s age, without the written consent of the student.

If you wish to allow the Financial Aid Office to discuss your financial aid with your parents, guardian, or spouse, please authorize the Release of Information by logging in to WINS, going to Student Home, selecting the Financial Aid tile, and then clicking on Release Financial Information.

Step 3: Provide Authorization to Pay Miscellaneous Charges

Federal financial aid can only be used to pay for the following charges: tuition, segregated fees, course fees, housing, and meal plans.  To apply your federal financial aid to other education related charges on your student account, you will need to authorize the University to do so.  

If you wish to use your federal financial aid to pay for other charges applied to your account, excluding finance charges and payment plan activation fees, you can do so by logging in to WINS, going to Student Home, selecting the Financial Aid tile, and then clicking on Student Permission. 

Step 4: Report Outside Sources of Aid

Students are required to report any sources of aid you will receive which are not included in your financial aid award package, such as private scholarships, DVR, employer paid tuition, Resident Assistant benefits, tuition waivers, WI GI Bill Veterans’ Benefits, or other sources of aid.  Please submit a Scholarship Form to the Financial Aid Office if you are receiving outside sources of aid.  If you learn of other resources at a later date, submit a form at that time.  Note that receipt of other sources of aid may impact the financial aid you have already been awarded.

Step 5: Complete Loan Requirements

Once you accept a Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan, the U.S. Department of Education requires you to complete additional steps before the loan funds will credit toward the charges on your UW-W Student Account.  All steps should be completed by August 1 online at StudentAid.gov (or by January 1 if starting in spring).  Please see below for additional information or visit https://www.uww.edu/financialaid/process/receiving-aid/loan-requirements.

• Complete Loan Entrance Counseling, REQURIED for first-time borrowers

All first-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers must complete Entrance Counseling to receive their loan.  Entrance Counseling is an online tutorial which explains important information regarding borrowing a federal student loan and is completed through the Department of Education website: StudentAid.gov.

• Complete the Master Promissory Note, REQUIRED for first-time borrowers

All first-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers must also complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) to receive their loan.  The MPN is the agreement to repay the loan and is completed through the Department of Education website: StudentAid.gov. 

Step 6: Estimate Costs & Research Additional Financing Options

Fall term tuition bills will  be sent in August and spring term tuition bills will be sent in January.  Use cost.uww.edu to estimate your costs now.  If your financial aid does not cover your costs, there are additional options to explore.

• Federal Direct PLUS Loan

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a loan for parents of dependent students.  The PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) Loan allows a parent to borrow money to cover any educational costs not already covered by the student's other financial aid.  A PLUS Loan is the financial responsibility of the parent.

The PLUS Loan application process is completed online at StudentAid.gov. The application will become available at the end of May each year for the upcoming fall term.  To ensure the funds are received before the fall tuition due date, we recommend the PLUS application be completed no later than August 1 for the upcoming fall term (or by December 1 if starting in spring).

Additional information is available at: www.uww.edu/financialaid/types-of-aid/loans/parent. 

• Private Loans

Private Loans (also referred to as Alternative Loans) are used to help bridge the gap between the cost of your education and the amount available from state and federal financial aid programs.  Private Loans most often require a credit-worthy co-signer.  Because these loans come from private lenders, interest rates and repayment plans will vary by lender.  To ensure the funds are received before the fall tuition due date, we recommend the private loan application be completed no later than August 1 (or by December 1 if starting in spring).

Additional information is available at: www.uww.edu/financialaid/types-of-aid/loans/private.

•  Payment Plan

A payment plan is available through the Student Financial Services Office.  For additional information and details, contact Student Accounts at 262-472-1373 or visit www.uww.edu/adminaffairs/finance/sfs. 

Step 7: Prepare for Billing

The Student Financial Services Office will begin sending fall bills in August and spring bills in January.  Students are notified via their UW-W email account when a bill is available.  If students would like anyone else to also receive an email when the bill is ready to be viewed, they can set up an “Authorized Payer” within WINS by going to Student Financial Account, then Make a Payment, and then selecting Authorized Payers.

If expecting a refund, students can also sign up for electronic refunds within WINS by going to Student Financial Account, then Make a Payment, and then selecting Manage Refunds.  Refunds as a result of a Parent PLUS can only be issued via check.

 Use cost.uww.edu to estimate your costs now. 

Step 8: Learn More about Federal Work-Study and Student Employment

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based aid program that is awarded to students who have submitted their FAFSA by January 1 each year, have indicated on the FAFSA they are interested in FWS, and have demonstrated financial need.  FWS earnings are considered taxable income and treated just like any other employment when completing tax returns.  However, FWS earnings are not considered as income when you re-apply for financial aid.

FWS employment is performed on campus (except for America Reads) with work schedules set up around classes.  Students who receive FWS as a part of the financial aid package are eligible to apply for FWS jobs, but are not guaranteed employment – students must search for a job by accessing UW-Whitewater’s online job board, Handshake.  If hired, once the student starts working, they can earn up to the amount listed on the Financial Aid Offer.  These funds can be earned at any time during the academic year.

Earnings from FWS employment are paid with funds directly deposited to the student's savings or checking account based on the number of hours worked and are not subtracted from the student’s UW-W bill.

For students who are not eligible for FWS, Regular Student Payroll positions are available.  These positions can also be found on Handshake.

For additional information regarding student employment and to access Handshake, please visit www.uww.edu/financialaid/employment.

Step 9: Review Requirements to Receive your Financial Aid

Most financial aid will pay directly to your student bill.  However, based on the type of aid you are receiving, there are different conditions that must be met in order for your aid to disburse to your student account.  Regardless of the type of aid, all students must meet the following conditions: 

• Be enrolled at least half-time (only exception is the Federal Pell Grant)
• Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Be registered for the same number of credits for which you were awarded aid
• Must not have any outstanding required documentation 

Scholarships

Scholarship checks that have been mailed to the UW-Whitewater Cashier’s Office may need to be endorsed by the student before the funds can be applied to the student’s account.  UW-Whitewater and UW-W Foundation scholarships will automatically credit to the student’s account (as long as our office has been notified of the scholarship).  Note that receipt of scholarships may impact the other financial aid you have already been awarded. 

Loans

As mentioned above, first-time loan borrowers in the Federal Direct Loan program must complete the three first-time borrower requirements for their loans to disburse.  These requirements are to ensure that students understand their rights and responsibilities when borrowing federal loan funds.  

Refunds

If the amount of financial aid exceeds the charges on the student's bill, the student or parent will receive a refund.   We encourage all students to sign up for direct deposit of refunds as this allows for faster processing of refunds.   Students who do not have direct deposit will receive a check in the mail.  Parents cannot sign up for direct deposit for PLUS Loan refunds.  For more information, contact the Cashier's Office at 262-472-1378. 

For additional information, please visit http://www.uww.edu/financialaid/process/eligibility.

Step 10: Review Financial Aid Policies

Students receiving financial aid need to be aware of the policies regarding eligibility for financial aid.  While we provide a brief overview of many of these policies below, please visit www.uww.edu/financialaid/policies for full description of these policies.

Enrollment

Financial aid awards are based on actual enrollment for the term in which the aid is awarded.

If you are not yet enrolled at the time the award is made, the award is based on full-time status.  In order for funds to disburse, you must be registered for the same number of credits for which you were awarded aid.  Most financial aid programs require at least half-time enrollment.  It is your responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office of any changes to enrollment.

Your financial aid will be revised based on the enrollment which is captured on the 10th class day of the term.  This includes any aid which you have already received.  In these cases, students may be required to repay a portion of their refund.  If it is later reported that you never attended a course, we will also have to revise your aid and you may be required to pay back aid received for that course.  Because financial aid cannot be adjusted for any credits added after the 10th class day of the term, be sure to register for all courses prior to this date, even courses that start in the second 8-week session.

If you have not enrolled as of the 10th day, aid will be canceled.  If you are enrolled for less than half-time status, aid programs which require half-time enrollment will be canceled.

If you drop an individual class after the 10th day, aid which has disbursed will not be revised unless it is reported by the instructor that you never participated academically in the course; however, aid which has not disbursed may be subject to cancellation.  Financial aid will not be adjusted for any classes added after the 10^th class day of the term.

For details of enrollment requirements, please visit http://www.uww.edu/financialaid/policies/enrollment.

Withdrawals/Return of Title IV Funds

Withdrawing from classes may have serious consequences on your financial aid award.

If you withdraw from all courses during a semester, the Financial Aid Office must calculate the amount of financial aid you did not earn.  This is determined based on the number of days you attended for the semester.  The date of withdrawal used in the calculation is based on the date you submit your intent to withdraw to the Registrar's Office or the last date of an academically-related activity, if this is known to be different (examples: medical withdrawals, active duty military call-up).  Unearned funds must be returned to federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, and in many cases, this will cause you to owe a balance to the university. Once you have completed more than 60% of the semester, you have earned all financial aid for that semester.  Your aid eligibility may also have to be recalculated if you stop attending all courses without completing the official withdrawal process.

For full details of how withdrawing from courses impacts your financial aid, please visit http://www.uww.edu/financialaid/policies/withdrawals.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

We are required by federal regulations to monitor that all students are making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) towards completion of their degree.  In order to receive financial aid, students must comply with the three eligibility standards of the satisfactory progress policy: 

• Minimum cumulative grade point average

2.0 for all undergraduate students, including transfer students

3.0 for graduate students

• Minimum number of successfully completed attempted credits

All students are required to successfully complete at least 67% of their attempted credits.

• Maximum time-frame to completion

All students are only eligible for financial aid for 150% of the published length of their academic program.

Students who fail to meet these standards will not be eligible for federal, state, and most institutional financial aid.  SAP is monitored at the end of each spring semester and summer term.

For full details of the requirements for all three components and the appeal process, please visit http://www.uww.edu/financialaid/policies/academic-progress.

Special Circumstances

The federal government makes every effort to capture the family's financial situation using the FAFSA.   However, some families may be experiencing a hardship or unusual circumstance which is not reflected on the FAFSA.  The Financial Aid Office can review these circumstances on a case-by-case basis to determine if it changes the student's eligibility for aid:

• Loss of employment
• Significant change in income
• Loss of untaxed benefits (i.e., child support)
• Divorce
• Death
• Unusual medical expenses not covered by insurance 

For full details, please visit https://www.uww.edu/financialaid/policies/special-circumstances. 

Cost of Attendance

The cost of attending UW-Whitewater varies based on individual student circumstances.  The Financial Aid Office bases the award package on an estimated budget, which includes expenses directly billed by the university (tuition, residence hall, meal plan) and non-billed education expenses (transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses).  The Cost of Attendance is only used for financial aid purposes and will not necessarily reflect actual charges.

Tuition bills for fall will be sent late July or early August and spring tuition bills will be sent in January.  To estimate your charges prior to receiving the invoice, please use cost.uww.edu.

For full details on Cost of Attendance, please visit your WINS account or http://www.uww.edu/financialaid/costs/cost-of-attendance.

Scholarships

Scholarships for students new to UW-Whitewater are primarily awarded through the Admissions Office and are merit-based.  The Admissions Office will notify you if you are eligible for a scholarship for your first year; some of these awards are renewable as long as eligibility criteria are met.  Continuing students can apply for scholarships through the UW-W Scholarship System which opens annually in December at https://www.uww.edu/scholarships.    Students may also contact their college or program of study as additional scholarship opportunities may be available directly from them.

For additional information, visit https://www.uww.edu/financialaid/types-of-aid/scholarships and https://www.uww.edu/sdes/scholarships-grants.

Important Dates/Financial Aid Time-line

Please visit https://www.uww.edu/financialaid/policies/dates for important financial aid dates, including disbursement dates, refund dates, and other time-sensitive dates and information.

Step 4: Receiving Your Aid