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For Prospective Undergraduates

2013-14 Application for Financial Aid and Deadlines

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Wesleyan University's financial aid program awards assistance solely on the basis of financial need to US citizens and eligible non-citizens. No aid is based on academic merit, athletic ability or special talents.  Wesleyan does not "negotiate" financial aid, but does consider extenuating circumstances that may affect a family's ability to contribute to a Wesleyan education.

The full financial need of all undergraduate students, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid, is met with a combination of loans, part-time employment and grants. Wesleyan considers the financing of education expenses to be the responsibility of parents, up to the level of their ability to contribute. Thus parent financial information is the primary basis for the determination of need.

Once a student enrolls, continued support from parents is expected until graduation. Students who have supported themselves financially for a significant period of time prior to enrolling at Wesleyan may qualify for self-supporting status, exempting the reporting of parent information. However, students must have approval from the Office of Financial Aid prior to applying as self-supporting students.

Students that apply to Wesleyan and indicate that they will not be seeking financial assistance will not be eligible to receive Wesleyan financial aid until after the student has been enrolled for one year at the university. If an incoming student would like to apply for financial aid after he/she receives their admission letter, they are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss whether we are able to consider their special circumstances.

Documents required to determine eligibility for assistance are listed below. Links have been provided to download forms in Adobe Acrobat format (when available) or connect the viewer to the appropriate application website.  
 
Priority dates for submitting all documents to their respective destinations are listed below.  Click on the appropriate Admission Decision Checklist links for detailed document requirements and priority dates:

	CSS PROFILE	Noncustodial Parent PROFILE	Signed 2011 Federal Tax Returns and W2s	Signed 2012 Federal Tax Returns and W2s	FAFSA
Early Decision 1	Nov 15	Nov 22	Nov 15	Apr 1	Apr 1
Early Decision 2	Jan 15	Jan 22	Jan 15	Apr 1	Apr 1
Regular Decision	Feb 15	Feb 22	N/A*	Feb 15	Feb 15

Financial Aid Tipsheet - this quick reference guide provides basic financial aid application information and FAQs.

Required Documents for US Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens:
International applicants please click here. 

Estimating 2012 income information is acceptable.  Information will be reconciled upon receipt of 2012 1040.

1. FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) 2013-14
(submit electronically) NOTE: the 2013-14 FAFSA will be available after January 1, 2013
Wesleyan's code number is 001424. 

It is recommended that both applicant and parent obtain PIN numbers to sign the FAFSA. Electronic processing takes approximately 8-10 business days. Use income estimates if necessary, so you don't miss your priority date. Please plan accordingly.   

Wesleyan recommends that you use the IRS Data Retrieval process in an effort to reduce additional documents. If you haven’t completed your taxes yet, you will not be able to use Data Retrieval until you do.  However you can answer that you “will file” your taxes and you can still use estimates to answer the income questions and come back later to complete the Data Retrieval process.  In the event that you have filed your federal tax return electronically at least two weeks prior to today or submitted your paper return 6-8 weeks prior to today, you may be eligible use the IRS Data Retrieval tool to pull your prior year tax information directly into your FAFSA.  If you are applying to more than ten schools be sure to resubmit your Student Aid Report (FAFSA filing confirmation) with the additional institutions.  

FAFSA Reject - Correction Required:  If you have submitted your FAFSA, received your SAR (Student Aid Report) and must make corrections (ex. lack of parent and student signatures) please click here for further instructions.

If your Student Aid Report (SAR) indicates that you have been selected for verification click here.

 

 

2. COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP SERVICE (CSS) PROFILE 2013-14
(submit electronically)
Wesleyan's code number is 3959.

Electronic processing takes approximately 5 business days. Use income estimates if necessary, so you don’t miss your priority date. Please plan accordingly. 

You will receive a CSS acknowledgement form once your application has been processed.  Application corrections should be made on this form and submitted directly to Wesleyan. In lieu of the Profile explanation box, applicants are encouraged to submit dollar-specific details relative to any special circumstances that affect their ability to contribute to a Wesleyan education directly to the Financial Aid Office. 

Families living abroad whose student is a US citizen or eligible non-citizen are asked to complete the Profile form as well. They should also forward a copy of their tax return(s) or verification of income with English translation directly to the Financial Aid Office.

Students applying only for Federal Direct Loans are not required to complete the Profile^TM .

 

3. SIGNED PARENTS' 2012 FEDERAL TAX RETURN
 (send to Wesleyan)

Signed copies of the student's and parents' 2012 federal tax return including all schedules and W2 forms (copies of 2011 federal tax returns required for Early Decision 1 & 2). If there is a tax extension, please submit that documentation. 

*Send 2011 if you file a tax extension every year or your 2012 tax return is not complete by the priority date.

Please note that Wesleyan does not participate in IDOC for prospective students.  Documents can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to the Financial Aid Office. 

Wesleyan Financial Aid Office
237 High Street
Middletown, CT  06459-0260
Fax: (860) 685-2801
E-mail: finaid@wesleyan.edu

Students applying only for Federal Direct Loans are not required to submit 2012 federal tax return and W2 documents.

 

4. NONCUSTODIAL PARENT'S PROFILE if applicable
(submit electronically)
Wesleyan's Profile code is 3959.

If biological/adoptive parents are divorced, separated, single or were never married, the CSS Noncustodial Profile and a copy of the noncustodial parent's 2012 federal tax return and W2 form(s) (copies of 2011 federal tax returns required for Early Decision 1&2). Send 2011 if you file a tax extension every year or your 2012 tax return is not complete by the priority date. If there is a tax extension, please submit that documentation.

This requirement is not initiated until the student completes the CSS Profile.  Once completed, the College Board will send the student an email directing him/her to share the email with the noncustodial parent.  The message will include:

The student will also be given the option to request that the College Board send an email directly to the noncustodial parent.  If the student selects this option, he or she will be asked to provide the noncustodial parent's email address.

Students applying only for Federal Direct Loans are not required to complete the Noncustodial Parent Profile^TM, nor submit their 2012 federal tax return and W2 documents.

 

5. BUSINESS and/or FARM TAX RETURNS if applicable
(send to Wesleyan)

If parents operate a business or farm, include a copy of the most recent partnership or corporate tax return.

Students applying only for Federal Direct Loans are not required to submit the most recent partnership or corporate tax return.

 

6. PERMISSION TO SHARE FORM if applicable
(send to Wesleyan)

Student release form for guardians, counselors, etc. to discuss financial aid file.  This form should be completed if you wish to allow someone other than your parent to contact us on your behalf. This form does not apply to persons who have submitted information on the FAFSA or CSS Profile or scholarship agencies.

 

 

7. REPORT AN OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIP if applicable
(submit electronically)

Scholarships from outside sources must be reported to our office as they affect financial aid funding.  Most students learn of these scholarships at high school graduation.  

 

 

 

Students applying only for federal student aid (primarily Federal Stafford Loans) should complete the FAFSA and e-mail the Financial Aid Office so we could waive your taxes and CSS Profile at finaid@wesleyan.edu.

After reviewing application materials, the Office of Financial Aid may determine that additional information is needed. The office will contact the applicant to request any additional documentation. 

As part of Wesleyan's effort to work in partnership with the student and his/her family, the best offer of financial assistance is provided in the initial award letter.  Requests for additional funding must be based upon special circumstances that were not provided with the original application.  These types of circumstances might include loss of employment, elder or medical care expenses.  Items such as home repairs, weddings, car/mortgage payments, credit card debt, etc. are not considered special circumstances.

Report an outside Scholarship