Application Process - Financial Aid

If you have not previously done so, complete a Waubonsee New Student Information Form and select an academic program that leads to a degree or certificate. Note: some courses and programs are ineligible for financial aid. You should also view the list of other requirements to receive financial aid.

If you have attended another college or university and taken credit classes, have your academic transcripts sent to Waubonsee Community College. Also, complete a Transcript Evaluation Review Form (TERF) found on mywcc for each previous school that you have attended.

If you do not already have one, create an FSA ID for yourself and your parent if you are a dependent student on fsaid.ed.gov. This allows the student and the parent of a dependent student to sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov for the appropriate year. Include the Waubonsee school code, 006931, to have the results sent to Waubonsee's Financial Aid Office. Once your FAFSA results are received, you need to allow time for the submission and review of any other documents that may be required before you can be awarded.  Accepting the award will allow you to register without making a payment. You must reapply annuallly, but after the first application year, you will be able to submit a renewal application for subsequent years.

The FAFSA can be completed and submitted for 2019-2020, which includes summer 2020, and for 2020-2021 which starts with the fall 2020 semester.  The priority filing date for the 2020-2021 FAFSA is December 1, 2019. 

When completing the FAFSA, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import tax return information into the FAFSA for the student and the parent of a dependent student.

Review the information on the Student Aid Report (SAR) that you receive as a result of filing the FAFSA and correct any errors. The SAR should have your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and indicate if there is additional information needed.

Emails from Waubonsee's Financial Aid Office will inform you about missing requirements needed to complete your application. Missing requirements will be shown in mywcc, the Waubonsee portal, and can include federal income tax transcripts or proof of non-filing from the IRS and a verification worksheet.  Missing requirements must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the end of the term for which the student wants to receive financial aid.  Failure to submit these requirements will result in no federal or state financial aid being awarded.

When you receive your Award Notification email, follow the instructions to accept your Terms and Conditions in mywcc and decide if you will accept or decline any loans that are offered. If you accept loan funds and have not previously done so, you will be required to attend an Entrance Counseling session and complete a Master Promissory Note on www.studentloans.gov.