Ready to get started on financial aid? Whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, be sure to start the process each year by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Most Western students qualify for some type of financial aid, so it’s always a good idea to complete a FAFSA application.
The federal application for the 2025-26 academic year will be available to all families by Dec. 1. More information regarding the 2025-26 FAFSA is available at studentaid.gov.
The federal application for the 2024-25 academic year is available and has been updated.
Timeline for 2024-25 FAFSA
- Our office received FAFSA data in March.
- Financial aid offer letters were sent in April for first year and transfer students.
- Financial aid offer letters were sent in early June for returning students.
If you would like to understand your offer letter better, please watch this video:
We recommend that you check your WMU email regularly as we may need to request additional information from you. Check this webpage for new updates from Student Financial Aid and the Department of Education.
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First things first: Apply for an FSA ID
We encourage all students and their families to complete the FAFSA. The application provides us information used for determining not only grants but also loan and scholarship amounts.
If you haven't already, you need to apply online for an FSA ID. Your FSA ID serves as your electronic signature.
Your FSA ID will be available at the time of application so you can use it immediately to electronically sign your FAFSA.
Your FSA ID allows you to sign other financial aid documents, check the status of your FAFSA, make corrections and check your loan history.
FAFSA checklist: What you need in order to file
- Your FSA ID.
- Your name and Social Security number exactly as they appear on your Social Security card.
- WMU’s FAFSA code: 002330. List Western Michigan University, West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI as one of your college choices.
- Federal income tax return from the previous year.
- Driver's license (if you have one).
- Bank statement.
The IRS Direct Data Exchange allows FAFSA filers to have tax data directly imported from the IRS to the FAFSA. You will be able to report tax information from two years ago (i.e., if you apply for the 2024-25 FAFSA, you can use 2022 tax information).
How the FAFSA works
The FAFSA gathers information about your income, assets and other related information to determine your student aid index, a new term introduced for the 2024-25 FAFSA. Once you’ve filed, you can check the status of your application with the federal processor online or by calling the U.S. Department of Education Student Aid Information Center at (800) 433-3243. TTY users call (800) 730-8913.
The federal processor creates your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)—new for the 2024-25 FAFSA—based on the information you provided and sends it to the schools you listed on the application. Once WMU receives your FSS, the estimated cost of attendance minus your student aid index determines your unmet need. We then apply the financial aid programs you qualify for toward your need.
FAFSA corrections
Sometimes, you need to make corrections to your FAFSA after it has been turned in. To make changes, visit studentaid.gov and use your FSA ID to log in.
If you, WMU, another school or the Department of Education submits FAFSA corrections after you have been offered financial aid, your offers may be adjusted or canceled. In addition to submitting corrections based upon verification, WMU may also submit corrections if:
- You indicated you have a prior degree in error.
- You indicated you will be a graduate student in error.
- You indicated you are married, and the date you became married is after your original FAFSA date.
- You do not meet the definition of an independent student.
WMU may also request additional documentation from you to verify the information you supplied on the FAFSA.
Are you an international student seeking financial aid info?
While most U.S. federal financial aid only applies to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, funding sources are available for undergraduate and graduate international students in the form of scholarships and assistantships.
Learn how to obtain funding as an international student