STEP 1: Create an FSA ID

Create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) before starting a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on the web for the first time. You will use your FSA ID to sign your FAFSA each year. If you are considered a dependent student for federal financial aid purposes, the parent who is now defined as a contributor will also need to create an FSA ID to sign your FAFSA.

 

STEP 2: Complete the FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online each year.  WWC urges students to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.  Whenever possible, please use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the FAFSA.  

WWC FAFSA School Code:  002979

          Gather the following applicable documents/information to complete the FAFSA

    • Social Security Number
    • Driver license 
    • Alien registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen
    • Federal tax information including IRS W-2, tax returns, etc.

 

STEP 3: North Carolina Residents: Complete Residency

North Carolina students or any student wishing to be considered for NC Free Tuition should complete the NC Residency Determination. 

NC Need Based Funding or the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship requires students to complete residency determination before they are fully eligible to receive any funding from the state of North Carolina.  

Click here to visit NC Residency. 

North Carolina determines if students are residents based on information gathered by RDS. 

If you would like to appeal your residency decision you will need to contact RDS directly for a reconsideration. 

Warren Wilson College or the Financial Aid Office does not determine if a student is eligible based on residency.  

 

STEP 4: Complete Pending Requirements

Pending requirements can be found on Financial Aid Portal

If you have not previously logged into your Net Partner account, you will need to do the following:

  • On Financial Aid Portal, in the log-in section on the right-hand side, click on “First Time User
  • Enter your Social Security Number on the following page, and then click "Submit"
  • Create your personal security questions and unique password

 

STEP 5: Financial Aid Offer

After all pending requirements are completed, the WWC Financial Aid Office will process and generate your financial aid offer.   

New and incoming students will receive their WWC financial aid offer by mail.  

Financial aid offers are viewable on the Financial Aid Portal once you have been notified that the offer has been processed.  

Financial aid will not be disbursed until after the drop/add date.

 

STEP 6: Monitor your email

The WWC Financial Aid Office's main method of communication is email.  Make sure you check your email regularly for updates about financial aid.  The WWC Financial Aid Office will use the email you provided on your FAFSA and/or your student email.  

You will also want to check your new student portal with the admissions office in order to complete any outstanding checklist items or required tasks. 

The WWC Student Accounts office will send bills for the fall semester at the beginning of June.  The first statement will be sent to the attention of the student at their listed home address.  Accounts are also viewable online.  

 

STEP 7: Complete the FERPA/Parent and Family Access

Complete the FERPA

FERPA is an acronym for the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act.

FERPA restricts the ability of WWC from releasing student information (including financial and academic records) to anyone including a parent, guardian, or family member who hasn't been authorized by the student.  This means that a student must authorize their parent or family member to view their student account, grade reports, or to speak with college personnel about non-medical issues relating to their attendance at Warren Wilson.

Records for the Counseling Center and Health Center are considered medical records and are not covered under FERPA guidelines. A separate release form must be obtained from these departments.

Once the FERPA is completed online, it can take 2 to 3 business days to process.