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Financial Aid Timelines

Timelines for applying for financial aid are listed here with links for more information about each step in the application process.

This timeline is for first-time freshmen who are attending WKU in the Fall semester.

First-time freshmen are either graduating high school seniors or are students who have not earned any college credit after high school graduation (with the exception of summer credit at the institution of Fall entry).

August-December
  • Students need a FSA ID in order to log in to www.studentaid.gov.
  • Parents of dependent students must also have a FSA ID.
  • Keep your FSA ID(s) in a safe place. You/your parent will need them throughout the financial aid process.
  • Students can explore additional foundation scholarships on the TopDollar website.
December
  • Students must be admitted by December 31st, 2024 for automatic scholarship consideration.
  • Students can complete their FAFSA (WKU School Code: 002002).
  • Students must complete a new FAFSA each academic year. FAFSA applications are available at the beginning of October.
  • Deadline to submit application and supporting materials for the Cherry Presidential Scholarship for students who have been invited to apply.
  • For specific information regarding the requirements for this scholarship, visit the Scholarships page.
January
  • Students can complete their FAFSA (WKU School Code: 002002).
  • Students must complete a new FAFSA each academic year. FAFSA applications are available at the beginning of October.
  • Students selected for verification can begin submitting their documents to KHEAA Verify for the new academic year. 
  • If chosen for verification, students must complete the verification process through KHEAA Verify before WKU’s Department of Student Financial Assistance can process their award package.
February
  • Students will start seeing foundational scholarship offers going out.
  • For specific information regarding all institutional scholarships, visit the Scholarships page.
March
  • Freshmen orientations, Topper Orientation Program (TOP) begin. After registering for classes, students will receive information on billing and due dates, payment plans, financial aid, and the residual process.
April
  • The WKU Department of Student Financial Assistance will begin sending official award notifications to first-time freshmen students.
  • Students who have already submitted their FAFSA and have completed any outstanding financial aid requirements should begin checking their school affiliated email account for an official award notification. Students should evaluate their financial aid package and, if desired, accept any resources offered on TopNet to help meet the cost of attending WKU. In the event a federal student loan is needed, three steps are required: 1) Accept the Award on TopNet, 2) Complete Entrance Counseling on the studentaid.gov website, and 3) E-sign the Master Promissory Note on studentaid.gov.   
May
  • Students must accept scholarships by May 1st, 2025.
July
  • Students can view Fall semester charges on their TopNet account.
  • Students will receive information on how to view charges on TopNet, how financial aid is reflected, billing and due dates, payment plans, financial aid, and the residual process.
August
  • The Office of Student Billing & Account Services will begin sending E-bills for the Fall semester. Payment for any outstanding charges will be expected by the designated due date.
  • All financial aid documents required for verification must be received by August 1 of the award year to guarantee a student will be awarded by the Fall semester bill due date. WKU does NOT award federal (Title IV) aid until all outstanding verification requirements have been completed.
  • Accepted financial aid awards will show as a credit towards the student’s outstanding balance and can be taken into consideration when determining any remaining amount that the student may owe.
Early September
  • The first weekly disbursement cycle begins, and the first round of residuals is released.
  • Students whose disbursement of aid exceeds the total charges on the account may receive a residual (refund).
  • Students who have not yet set up a refund preference should visit the Office of Student Billing & Account Services website.

 

This timeline is for students who are either transferring or returning to WKU the following Fall semester.

August-December
  • Students need a FSA ID in order to log in to www.studentaid.gov.
  • Parents of dependent students must also have a FSA ID.
  • Keep your FSA ID(s) in a safe place. You/your parent will need them throughout the financial aid process.
  • Students can explore additional foundation scholarships on the TopDollar website.
December
  • Students can complete their FAFSA (WKU School Code: 002002).
  • Students must complete a new FAFSA each academic year. 
  • For specific information regarding the requirements for this scholarship, visit the Scholarships page.
  • Students’ SAP status (for next applicable semester) is evaluated after Fall semester grades have been posted. Students not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be notified. 
January
  • Students can complete their FAFSA (WKU School Code: 002002).
  • Students selected for verification can begin submitting their documents to KHEAA Verify for the new academic year. 
  • If chosen for verification, students must complete the verification process through KHEAA Verify before WKU’s Department of Student Financial Assistance can process their award package.
February
  • Students will start seeing foundational scholarship offers going out.
  • For specific information regarding all institutional scholarships, visit the Scholarships page.
May
  • Students’ SAP status (for next applicable semester) is evaluated after Spring semester grades have been posted. Students not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be notified.
June
  • Students who have already submitted their FAFSA and have completed any outstanding financial aid requirements should begin checking their school affiliated email account for an official award notification. Students should evaluate their financial aid package and, if desired, accept any resources offered on TopNet to help meet the cost of attending WKU. In the event a federal student loan is needed, three steps are required: 1) Accept the Award on TopNet, 2) Complete Entrance Counseling on the studentaid.gov website, and 3) E-sign the Master Promissory Note on studentaid.gov. 
July
  • Students can view Fall semester charges on their TopNet account.
  • Students will receive information on how to view charges on TopNet, how financial aid is reflected, billing and due dates, payment plans, financial aid, and the residual process.
August
  • The Office of Student Billing & Account Services will begin sending E-bills for the Fall semester. Payment for any outstanding charges will be expected by the designated due date.
  • All financial aid documents required for verification must be received by August 1 of the award year to guarantee a student will be awarded by the Fall semester bill due date. WKU does NOT award federal (Title IV) aid until all outstanding verification requirements have been completed.
  • Accepted financial aid awards will show as a credit towards the student’s outstanding balance and can be taken into consideration when determining any remaining amount that the student may owe.
Early September
  • The first weekly disbursement cycle begins, and the first round of residuals is released.
  • Students whose disbursement of aid exceeds the total charges on the account may receive a residual (refund).
  • Students who have not yet set up a refund preference should visit the Office of Student Billing & Account Services website.

 

This timeline is for parents/legal guardians of dependent students who are attending WKU in the Fall semester.

August-December
  • Students need a FSA ID in order to log in to www.studentaid.gov.
  • Parents of dependent students must also have a FSA ID.
  • Keep your FSA ID(s) in a safe place. You/your parent will need them throughout the financial aid process.
  • Students can explore additional foundation scholarships on the TopDollar website.
December
  • Students can complete their FAFSA (WKU School Code: 002002).
  • Students must complete a new FAFSA each academic year. 
  • First-time freshmen must be admitted by December 31st for automatic scholarship consideration. 
  • Deadline to submit application and supporting materials for the Cherry Presidential Scholarship for students who have been invited to apply.
  • For specific information regarding the requirements for this scholarship, visit the Scholarships page.
  • Students’ SAP status (for next applicable semester) is evaluated after Fall semester grades have been posted. Students not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be notified. 
January
  • Students can complete their FAFSA (WKU School Code: 002002).
  • Students must complete a new FAFSA each academic year. 
  • Students selected for verification can begin submitting their documents to KHEAA Verify for the new academic year. 
  • If chosen for verification, students must complete the verification process through KHEAA Verify before WKU’s Department of Student Financial Assistance can process their award package.
February
  • Students will start seeing foundational scholarship offers going out.
  • For specific information regarding all institutional scholarships, visit the Scholarships page.
March
  • Freshmen orientations, Topper Orientation Program (TOP) begin. After registering for classes, students will receive information on billing and due dates, payment plans, financial aid, and the residual process.
April
  • The WKU Department of Student Financial Assistance will begin sending official award notifications to first-time freshmen only.
  • First-time freshmen who have already submitted their FAFSA and completed any outstanding financial aid requirements should begin checking their school affiliated email account for an official award notification. Students should evaluate their financial aid package and, if desired, accept any resources offered on TopNet to help meet the cost of attending WKU. In the event a federal student loan is needed, three steps are required: 1) Accept the Award on TopNet, 2) Complete Entrance Counseling on the studentaid.gov website, and 3) E-sign the Master Promissory Note on studentaid.gov.  
  • Parents of first-time freshmen dependent students may apply for a Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS) at studentaid.gov. If credit is approved for the PLUS Loan, the parent must e-sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). If an endorser (co-signer) is required, the parent must complete PLUS Credit Counseling, and the endorser must complete the Endorser Addendum.
May
  • Students’ SAP status (for next applicable semester) is evaluated after Spring semester grades have been posted. Students not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be notified.
June
  • The WKU Department of Student Financial Assistance will begin sending award notifications to returning WKU students.
  • Returning students who have already submitted the FAFSA and completed any outstanding financial aid requirements should begin checking their TopperMail and TopNet accounts for award information. Students should evaluate their financial aid package and, if desired, accept any resources offered on TopNet to help meet the cost of attending WKU.
July
  • Students can view Fall semester charges on their TopNet account.
  • Students will receive information on how to view charges on TopNet, how financial aid is reflected, billing and due dates, payment plans, financial aid, and the residual process.
August
  • The Office of Student Billing & Account Serviceswill begin sending E-bills for the Fall semester. Payment for any outstanding charges will be expected by the designated due date.
  • All financial aid documents required for verification must be received by August 1 of the award year to guarantee a student will be awarded by the Fall semester bill due date. WKU does NOT award federal (Title IV) aid until all outstanding verification requirements have been completed.
  • Accepted financial aid awards will show as a credit towards the student’s outstanding balance and can be taken into consideration when determining any remaining amount the student may owe.
Early September
  • The first weekly disbursement cycle begins, and the first round of residuals is released.
  • Students whose disbursement of aid exceeds the total charges on the account may receive a residual (refund).
  • Students whose amount of aid that disburses to the account exceeds the amount of charges on the account may receive a residual (refund). If a Parent Loan results in an overpayment of university charges, the residual funds will be distributed according to the refund preference the parent selected when completing the PLUS Loan application.
  • Students who have not yet set up a refund preference should visit the Office of Student Billing & Account Services website.

Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.

 Last Modified 9/20/24