An Introduction to Financial Aid:

The financial aid process (timeline below) begins with the submission of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Both students and parents will need to create an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA and sign it electronically. The FAFSA will calculate a Student Aid Index (SAI) for each student. The SAI will be used by Washington & Jefferson College to determine your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional grants, loans, and work study. Please include W&J’s school code of 003389 at the conclusion of filing, so we receive your FAFSA results.

Once we receive your FAFSA results, we use the W&J Cost of Attendance (COA), which includes direct (billed) costs, such as tuition, fees, food and housing, and indirect costs (non-billed), for things such as books, travel, and personal expenses, to determine your aid offer. Financial need is calculated by subtracting your SAI from the Cost of Attendance.

As part of the financial aid process, students may be selected by the federal government for a process called Verification. A student selected for verification is required to provide the college with income and tax documentation so that our financial aid officers can verify the information reported on the FAFSA.

In order to remain eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP is checked at the end of each academic year and is calculated using credits attempted/completed and the cumulative GPA.  Failure to meet the SAP standards may result in the loss of financial aid for future semesters.

General Eligibility Requirements for Federal Aid:

In order to be eligible for federal financial aid, your student must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Must be enrolled at least half time in an eligible degree-seeking program
  • Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Must make satisfactory academic progress which is checked once a year
  • Must have resolved any drug conviction issues
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen
  • Must not be in default on a federal loan or owe an overpayment on a Federal grant or loan
  • Must have a valid Social Security Number
  • Must have registered with Selective Service, if required to do so

Special Circumstances:

If a situation arises that causes a drastic change in a family's financial situation after the FAFSA has been filed, special circumstances may be applied for. Call the Office of Financial Aid at 724-223-6019 to discuss the level of lost income. If significant, a Special Circumstances Form will be mailed to the student in order to re-evaluate the financial aid package. If a Pennsylvania resident, the student will also be mailed a Reduced Income Form for PA state grant eligibility.


Timeline (for academic year 2024-25)

July-August 2023

Admission Committee begins reading application submissions

September 2023

Admission begins mailing freshman decision letters and mailing merit award letters to qualified accepted students

December 31, 2023

Students can begin to submit their FAFSAs

May 1, 2024

Preferred FAFSA filing date for first-year students

National Candidates Reply Date. Freshmen entering in the fall submit their completed Admission Reply Forms and $300 reservation deposit to confirm their place.

Pennsylvania State Grant filing deadline. Application for the PA State Grant is automatic with the submission of FAFSA.

June 2024

Satisfactory academic progress and merit award review for continuing students.

Continuing student financial aid packages are mailed.

July 2024

Complete Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling for loans.

Fall semester bills are mailed.

PLUS Loan applications may be submitted

August 2024

Fall semester payment is due.


Changes in Enrollment:

Please refer to the Return of Title IV Funds Policy for information on how financial aid eligibility is affected when students make adjustments to their enrollment during the academic year. For any student who decides to withdraw from classes, the Financial Aid Office is required by federal regulation to determine if this action affects the amount of aid available to the student. It is recommended that any student thinking about withdrawing from a course(s) consult a representative from the Office of Financial Aid first to ensure full understanding of the possible affect on aid eligibility.