Steps to Getting Financial Aid

Getting financial aid may seem complicated, but it doesn't have to be. We've put together a step-by-step guide to applying for Financial Aid at The W.

Step 1 - Apply to The W

Before you can apply for financial aid, you need to be admitted to the university. Applying to The W is free for students from anywhere in the United States.

Step 2 - Complete the FAFSA®

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is how you apply for federal student aid, including the Federal Pell Grant and Stafford Loans.

We use the information in the FAFSA to qualify you for institutional scholarships from The W.

The FAFSA is available beginning October 1 the year before you enroll. The 2022-2023 FAFSA is available on October 1, 2021. Many grants and scholarship have early deadlines, so complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to qualify for the most opportunities.

Remember to use Mississippi University for Women's Federal School Code: 002422 to prevent delays in processing your financial aid. The videos below explain FAFSA in more detail.

Don't forget! You must complete the FAFSA every year to remain eligible for federal student aid.

Complete FAFSA Online

Understanding FAFSA®

Step 3 - Scholarships & Grants

Your application to The W and completed FAFSA will qualify you for Federal Grants and Institutional Scholarships, but there are still more financial aid opportunities for you.

Departmental Scholarships - Scholarships awarded to specific majors. These scholarships have a separate application process.
Legacy Scholarships - If your parent or grandparent went to The W, you qualify for an additional scholarship.
Centenial Scholarship & Honors Scholarship - These prestigious scholarships are available to students participating the Ina E. Gordy Honors College.
Peyton History Scholarship - This illustrious scholarship is available to students in The W's history program. It can be used to cover tuition, study abroad, and paid internships.
Freshman Merit Scholarships - The Freshman Merit and International Freshman Merit Scholarships are awarded to students enrolling in the fall semester based on ACT/SAT scores and GPA.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship - This scholarship is awarded to transfer students and early college high school students who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
EMCC Tuition Guarantee - Lowndes County (MS) residents who graduated from East Mississippi Community College or Golden Triangle Early College High School (GTECHS).
State Grants - Like the Federal Grants, the State of Mississippi offers grants and scholarships to residents.
Military-related Benefits - Special grants and scholarships exist for veterans and their families to help cover the costs of college without a loan.

Scholarship Opportunities Grant Opportunities Financial Aid for Veterans

Step 4 - Complete

Now that you have completed the FAFSA and have been admitted to MUW, the next step is to ensure that your financial aid application is complete.

In some cases you may have to provide additional information on the FAFSA or submit documentation to our office. These items can be seen in your Banner account. Log into WConnect to see your Banner account.

Respond to any requests for additional information quickly!

Based on your responses to the questions on the FAFSA, we may need additional information to validate your financial aid application. If additional information is requested, you will receive an email from our office indicating the item(s) needed to complete your file.

Some of the more common documentation requests include:

Verification of income
Verification of Social Security information
Verification of previous Federal loan amounts borrowed
Verification of Selective Service registration
Verification of Immigration and Naturalization status

Step 5 - Review

Once your financial aid application file is complete, you will receive an award notification via e-mail that contains the steps to reviewing and accepting your award.

Login to WConnect
Student Services
Financial Aid
My Award Information
Award aid year
Accept Award Offer
If your award includes loans, you will need to complete and submit the applicable promissory note(s) and entrance counseling.

WConnect Login Complete Promissory Note Complete Entrance Counseling

Step 6 - Receive

If you have accepted your award, your funds are ready for disbursement to your student account.

If your semester funds are in excess of your semester charges, you may receive the excess in the form of a refund check. University Accounting mails out checks or send the funds via direct deposit on Friday of each week beginning after attendance is verified.

Some common things that prevent your aid from being disbursed to your student account:

Master promissory notes have not been completed and submitted for Federal Stafford and/or Federal PLUS loans.
Student has not yet registered for minimum required hours (enrollment must be at least half time)
Entrance Counseling has not been completed and submitted for Stafford loans.