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Complete the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) to apply for grants, loans, and work study.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used for to determine your eligibility for financial aid (grants, loans, work study). Each year there are minor changes to the application, but for 2024-25, the biggest changes in decades are being implemented. These changes are due to the FAFSA Simplification Act, which expands eligibility for federal financial aid and provides a more streamlined application process.
You can view a 2024-25 FAFSA Walk Through video with information to the changes made as well as a walk through of the submission of the 2024-25 FAFSA.
Weatherford College Financial Aid Office is here to help you. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact us by email at finaid@wc.edu or by phone at 817-598-6295.
7 Easy Steps to apply for 2023-24 FAFSA
Tips for completing the FAFSA
- The fastest, easiest and most accurate way to apply is on-line at FAFSA
- Apply as early as possible! The FAFSA is available October 1 of each year. (Due to upcoming changes, 2024-25 FAFSA will open in December 2023)
- List your school choices and their Title IV school codes.
- WC Title IV School Code is 003664.
- Complete all income and asset information. Do not leave it blank. If the answer is zero, enter a zero in the blank.
- Appropriate individuals (student and/or parent) must sign the FAFSA using your FSA ID. Missing signatures will delay your processing. Both student and/or parent must electronically sign the web based FAFSA.
- If you do not sign with the FSA ID, then your application will be considered an error and will delay any processing time. A signature page can be printed, signed, and mailed to the Dept. of Education, but this will delay the processing time by several weeks.
- Verify your answers and check for accuracy. Errors will delay the process.
- Make a copy of your completed FAFSA. Retain a copy for your records.
- Also complete an Admissions Application atCoyote Recruit for WC. Your FAFSA will not load into WC processing without the Admissions Application.
TASFA
If you are not eligible for the FAFSA, you may be able to be eligible for Texas Application for Federal Student Aid (TASFA). Please contact the WC Financial Aid Office.
General Requirements
- Be a high school graduate or have a GED
- Be either a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- For non-citizens who are classified as Texas Residents SEE TASFA
- Be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program
- Make satisfactory academic progress in a course of study
- Not be in default of any educational loans at any school attended; or, if in default, must have made satisfactory repayment arrangements
- Not owe a refund on grants at any school attended
- Sign a statement of educational purpose, stating that the student will use federal student aid only for educational purposes
- Sign a statement of registration, if a male, indicating that he has registered with the Selective Service or that he is not required to register; and
- Have a valid Social Security number
In addition to the requirements above, first year students, transfer students and returning undergraduates must meet the specific requirements below.
First Year / Transfer Undergraduates: Have clear admission to WC. Students admitted as Provisional or Transient are not eligible for aid.
Returning Undergraduates: Full compliance with theSatisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
Professional Judgments
If you have extenuating circ*mstances, such as a significant loss of income, death of spouse or parent, homelessness, etc., please contact the financial aid office for more information. Special Circ*mstances are not be reviewed during the months of January, July, or August.
Now that I’ve applied, What Now?
Check Financial Aid Status
- You must accessCoyote Connect
- Click on Financial Aid
-Be sure Award Year is on correct Academic Year - You will be able to see any financial aid awards for the year chosen.
-If you have not been awarded, this means your file is not complete. Something is missing or your file is being reviewed. You will be able to see if any documents are missing and are required by financial aid. - You will also be able to accept or decline any student loans that have been offered to you.
- SelectCoyote Connectto login now
- Download instruction page for Coyote Connect
Financial Aid Deadlines
All required documents including FAFSA, tax documents (if required), and other documents requested by the financial aid office must be received by the following dates:
FALL - June 21 |SPRING - November 18 |SUMMER - April 17
This date ensures that we will have your financial aid file completed and awarded to pay for tuition, fees, room and board, books, etc. by the first day of class.
- Failure to provide the required documents by the deadline could result in your aid not being ready to pay your bill on the payment deadline. You will need to make other financial arrangements such as a payment plan, credit card, cash, etc. with the business office or use the online payment system located in Coyote Connect
- Simply completing the FAFSA by the deadline isNOTconsidered a complete file because there may be more information required beyond the FAFSA.
Verification
The verification process is only for students who have been notified by the Financial Aid Office that they must complete verification forms, upload a tax return transcript, submit an appeal, or provide other documentation.
WC Aid Verification
- Verification is a process through which the Department of Student Financial Aid verifies the information you reported on your FAFSA. Federal regulations require all institutions to perform verification on a percentage of applicants who file for financial aid. Applicants are randomly selected for verification. If you are chosen for verification, you will be notified of the required documents through the email account you provided on the FAFSA as well as your WC student email.
- If you are selected for verification, you will be required to submit documentation. You will need to go toCoyote Connectto see what may be needed. You will have links for sites to submit requested documents.
- Any discrepancies found by our department must be corrected and your financial aid eligibility may be affected. This process can delay your aid, so please respond immediately to any requests from our department. The verification process normally takes up to 2-4 weeks from the receipt of the final document. Should you fail to submit all required documentation, financial aid will not be awarded and/or disbursed. If funds were disbursed prior to your selection for verification, they may be cancelled until your file is complete.
- Click on the link for required documents and select WC Aid Verificationto log in to your account using your WC student email(must use the complete email address). For example: 0999@wcstudents.wc.edu and your WC password. If you need assistance, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 817-598-6295.
- If this is the first time to login, you will need to“REGISTER” your information first. After the first initial login, you will not be required to register again.
- NOTE: We can no longer accept income tax forms via the fax or email. TheyMUSTbe uploaded into this electronic format. You may use your mobile phone to take pictures of tax documents and upload them to us. You can also scan the document and upload with PDF formatting. If you are unable to do either of these two options, please call our office for further instructions.
Download instructions for WC Aid Verification.
Additional Documentation
Students may be required to submit additional documentation even though they have not been selected for Verification. These documents may relate to citizenship status, veteran status, and/or orphan status. If requested, please submit the additional documentation immediately to the financial aid office, because your aid can be delayed.
Awards Will Be Made Only After All Required Validation Documentation Has Been Received by the Financial Aid Office.
What happens now that I have Financial Aid?
Disbursem*nt of Awards
All grants, loans and scholarships are electronically credited to a student's account and can be applied toward the student's tuition and fees, book and dorm charges. The student may also provide written authorization to charge minor prior year institutional charges of $200 or less, or any other educationally related cost to their financial aid account. Grant, scholarship and loan balances will be disbursed by the Business Office within 14-days of the official census date of the semester and regularly thereafter. For students who complete their file after the semester is completed, their award will be based upon their final enrollment status and will include only courses completed(includes earned F's, in progress and incompletes), and dropped classes or withdrawals will not be included in determining enrollment status.
Students employed through the work-study program are paid bi-weekly. Time sheets must be submitted on the appropriate dates each month in order to receive a paycheck. Students who fail to submit their time sheet by the designated date, will not receive payment until the following pay period.
Enrollment Status
The amount of financial aid a student receives is based on his or her enrollment status on the day after the census date and awards will be adjusted accordingly.
Enrollment status will be determined according to the following:
- Full-time: 12 semester hours or more
- Three quarter-time: 9-11 semester hours
- Half-time: 6-8 semester hours
- Less than half-time 1-5 semester hours
Flex courses(Fall, Spring or Summer)will be included in enrollment status. If a student drops, withdraws from or adds a class on or before the census date, the student's enrollment status will be adjusted and the student's grant aid recalculated. Recalculations will include both increases and decreases in enrollment up to the census date of the student's last class.
Remedial coursework has a limit of 30-semester attempted hours. Remedial courses beyond the 30-hour limit will not be included in course load for determining enrollment status.
Repeated courses with grades of D or higher for the third and beyond attempt will not count in enrollment status.
Courses that do not count toward a student's degree or certificate, with the exception of remedial courses, cannot be included to determine his or her enrollment status. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they enroll in the appropriate classes. If the student receives financial aid for a class not on their degree or certificate program, the student will be responsible for paying back those funds.
Attendance of your classes is mandatory to receive credit from any financial aid that has been awarded. Attendance will be verified by official class rosters.
Non-attendance through official census date will result in removal of all financial aid without further notice. Students who receive federal financial aid that totally withdraw from classes or stop attending classes may be required to repay a portion of the financial aid received for that term. Please check with the financial aid office prior to withdrawing from classes.
Any violation of the above listed conditions will void any and all financial aid forthcoming and, in some cases, a refund of aid already received may be required by Weatherford College.
Buying Books with Financial Aid
Day One Access EBooks are charged to the student at the time of registration. These must be paid by payment deadline or opt-out by the opt-out date of each term (contact Financial Aid or Texas Bookstore for dates). Students may be eligible to purchase books from the on-campus bookstore by charging to their student account. If you have already been awarded federal student aid and you have enough funds to pay for tuition and fees plus books, then you may use these funds to purchase books at the Texas Bookstore during bookstore charge dates. Contact either the Texas Bookstore or the Financial Aid Office for book charge deadlines.
Student Refunds
The best way to verify if you will be receiving a refund is to view yourCoyote Connectaccount status. This online system will show all your financial aid funds have been applied to your student account and if you are due a refund. We strongly encourage you to educate yourself on this process. As always, we must first verify you are attending classes. Any negative balances mean aid has exceeded charges.
Fall 2023 Refunds: Refunds for grants and student loans begin September 26, 2023 and then regularly afterward.
Spring 2024 Refunds: Refunds for grants and student loans begin February 19, 2024 and then regularly afterward.
Summer 2024 Refunds: Refunds for grants and student loans begin June 26, 2024 and then regularly afterward.
The Business Office processes refunds weekly. Financial aid refunds will be direct deposited to the designated deposit account as you indicated on your Coyote Connect. Students who do not designate a direct deposit account will be mailed a check. Financial aid awards will first be applied to the balance due Weatherford College before being issued to the student. Students who fail to establish eligibility, don't begin attendance in each class or don't attend their classes thru count day, will have their financial assistance reduced or cancelled.
Important Notice
If you have been awarded any scholarships or other financial aid, youmustnotify the Financial Aid Office. Yourtotalaid package(from all sources)cannot exceed your need as figured by the Dept. of Education, and adjustments to your aid package will be made if you receive any other aid through different sources.
Weatherford College returns unearned funds received from Federal student assistance programs to the proper program accounts or lenders in accordance with Federal Title IV student assistance regulations, as amended, under 34 CFR, section 668.22(a) of the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, with rules of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and with district board policies.
The student receiving assistance from Federal Title IV programs is required to complete a minimum number of hours for which aid was received. If the student completely withdraws from school during the semester, or quits attending, but fails to officially withdraw, the student may be required to return the unearned part of the funds which were received to help pay educational expenses for the semester. Liability for return of Federal Title IV funds will be determined according to the following guidelines:
- If thestudent remains enrolled and attendsclass beyond the 60% mark of the semester in which aid is received, all federal aid is considered earned and not subject to this policy.
- If thestudent completely withdrawsfrom all Title IV eligible classes before completing 60% of the semester, apro-ratedportion of the federal aid received must be returned to the federal aid programs equal to the percentage of the semester remaining.
- If all eligible aid was not already disbursed to the student before the student withdrew, theearnedportion of aid will be paid to the student as a post-withdrawal disbursem*nt within 30 days of the Date of Determination that the student has withdrawn. In some instances, students will be asked to provide confirmation to accept or return some or part of the earned funds.
- If the studentdoes not officially withdrawfrom classes, and stops attending all classes, apro-ratedportion of the federal aid received, based on the documented last date of attendance, must be returned to the federal aid programs. If the college is unable to document the last date of attendance, one-half of all federal aid received during the semester must be returned to the federal aid programs.
If a student ceases attendance (drops or withdraws) in all his or her Title IV-eligible courses in a payment period or period of enrollment, the student must be considered a withdrawal for Title IV purposes.
Return of Federal Title IV (R2T4) funds will be distributed according to statutory regulations within 45 days of the Date of Determination on the R2T4 worksheet. The funds will be returned to the appropriate federal programs in the order mandated by the regulation in section 34 CFR 668.22(i). The current order of distribution occurs with money returned to Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans, Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans, Federal Perkins loans(WC does not participate in the Perkins loan program), Federal Direct Parent Plus loans, Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants. Worksheets provided by the U.S. Department of Education or calculations produced through the Colleague System and Return of Funds (ROF) program will be used to determine the amounts and order of return. If a student's share of the return amount exists, the student will be notified and allowed 45 days from the date of determination to return the funds to the business office of the college for deposit into the federal program’s accounts. If the student does not return the amount owed within the 45-day period, the amount of overpayment will be reported to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) via the National Student Loan Database (NSLDS) and the student will be referred to the USDE for resolution of the debt.
R2T4 withdrawal exemptions
Under the September 2, 2020 final regulations, the Department established withdrawal exemption criteria which, if met, allows a student who has withdrawn or otherwise ceased attendance to NOT be considered a withdrawn student for Title IV purposes, which means that no R2T4 calculation is required for that student. Prior to conducting an R2T4 calculation for a student who has ceased attendance during a payment period or period of enrollment, a school should review the student’s circ*mstances to see if the student qualifies for any of the R2T4 withdrawal exemptions.
The withdrawal exemption categories are as follows:
- Withdrawal exemption for graduates/completers
- A student who completes all the requirements for graduation from his or her program before completing the days or hours in the period that he or she was scheduled to complete is not considered to have withdrawn This exemption applies to all types of programs (including those with or without modules)
- Withdrawal exemptions for programs offered in modules
- A student is not considered to have withdrawn if the student successfully completes one module that includes 49 percent or more of the number of days in the payment period, excluding scheduled breaks of five or more consecutive days and all days between modules
- A student is not considered to have withdrawn if the student successfully completes a combination of modules that when combined contain 49 percent or more of the number of days in the payment period, excluding scheduled breaks of five or more consecutive days and all days between modules
- A student is not considered to have withdrawn if the student successfully completes coursework equal to or greater than the coursework required for the institution’s definition of a half-time student under 34 CFR 668.2(b) for the payment period
Please note that all of the withdrawal exemptions apply to both undergraduate and graduate students as long as the student and program meet the underlying exemption criteria (i.e., the program is offered in modules, the students are graduates, etc.). Finally, a student only needs to meet one of the withdrawal exemptions to be exempt from R2T4.
Examples of how this policy is applied are available upon written request to Weatherford College, Office of Financial Aid, 225 College Park Drive, Weatherford, Texas, 76086.
For the purposes of this policy, withdrawal refers to a total withdrawal from all course work at the College.
Weatherford College does not offer a Leave of Absence at this time.
The following standards are effective and are adopted according to federal mandates for the purpose of determining a student’s continued eligibility for financial aid. All students receiving federal or state financial aid must maintain satisfactory progress for all periods of enrollment regardless of the receipt of financial aid. Academic progress is evaluated at the end of each fall, spring, and summer semesters.
NOTE:Some non-federal student aid programs (i.e., state and private foundations) have specific SAP requirements unique to the individual program. In those instances, the program requirements will supersede the general SAP policy stated here. It is the student’s responsibility to understand the requirements of each financial aid program from which aid is received.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
SAP is evaluated based on three measures at Weatherford College(WC):
- Cumulative Financial Aid Grade Point Average (GPA) – must be 2.0 or above
- Successful Pace of Completion of Courses – must complete a minimum of 67% of all cumulative hours toward declared major. WC will round upward in cases where the calculation comes to 66.5% or higher.
- Time Frame – must graduate within 150% of required hours in program of declared major
Cumulative GPA
Cumulative GPA includes only WC course work and any transferred hours that apply to the student’s declared major. Students enrolled in college-level coursework must maintain a cumulative financial aidGPA of 2.0 or higher. Grades of A, B, C, D, and F contribute toward the cumulative GPA. Grades of W, I, S, CR, X, AU, and P do not.
- Students who do not have a WC academic history and are enrolling in college for the first time are assumed to be making SAP at the time of enrollment.
- All continuing students applying for financial assistance must have a cumulative GPA
of 2.0 on all credit hours earned prior to the semester for which aid is requested. - Transfer hours will not be counted in a student’s cumulative GPA, completion rates, or
a maximum time frame unless those hours are accepted towards degree completion at WC. - This includes any dual credit courses taken during the high school yearsthat count
towardadegree or certificate program at WC.
Successful Pace of Completion of Courses
To avoid exceeding the maximum time frame required to complete a program of study using financial aid, students are expected to maintain a specific completion rate that is known as the “pace of completion.” At the end of each period of enrollment, students must have a cumulative completion rate of at least 67 percent of all classes attempted.
- Successful pace of completion is measured by grades of A, B, C, or D. These are considered passing grades at WC.
- A grade of F is not a completed grade but will be taken into consideration when calculating the cumulative number of hoursattempted and the cumulative GPA.
- A grade of I or W is not punitive in determining the GPA but does reflect the lack of progress under “quantity of work” for the minimum pace of completion of all courses attempted for federal and state aid recipients. A grade of I (Incomplete) not made up
by the end of the next long semester willbecome a grade of W. - Courses where a grade of F, I, or W was received may be repeated until a passing grade is achieved. However, all courses attempted (repeated and regular) will be counted in the time frame and completion rate calculations. If the grade in the repeated courseis not an improvement, both class hours and grades will count against the student’s cumulative GPA. Financial aid will only cover the repeated classIFthe student originally received a grade of F, I, or W, or the program requires a grade ofC or higherand the student received a D.
- Remedial course work will be included in the cumulative GPA as well as included in both the time frame and completion rate calculations. Federal regulations state that a student may not receive federal financial aid for remedial course work after they have attempted 30 hours of remediation. Therefore, a student who attempts more than 30 hours of remedial classes may not receive federal financial aid for those classes. Foundational Math is not covered by financial aid.
- This includes any dual credit courses taken during the high school years that count toward a degree or certificate program at WC.
Time Frame
Students must demonstrate they will graduate within 150% of the length of the degree or certificate of their declared major. Maximum time frame calculations for students pursuing a one-year program of study (certificate) will begin when the student has attempted 45 semester hours. For students pursuing a two-year program of study (Associate’s Degree) maximum time frame calculations will begin once the student has attempted 90 semester hours. Students who exceed the time-frame limit will no longer be eligible for financial aid and will be placed on financial aid suspension.
Financial Aid Warning
Students who fail to meet one or more of the Satisfactory Academic Standards will be placed on financial aid warning. While on warning, students will be eligible to receive financial aid but must complete the subsequent term by meeting all of the minimum requirements at the close of that term. The student who fails to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress during the semester of attendance while on warning will be placed on financial aid suspension.
Financial Aid Suspension
Financial aid suspension occurs when the SAP standards are not met for two consecutive semesters. Notification of suspension status includes verbal, postal mail, or email. While on suspension, students will not receive financial aid. Students can appeal their financial aid status; see Appeal Process below. The student is responsible for payment of courses.
NOTE:Students who exceed the time frame limitations (90 hours for Associate Degrees or 45 hours for Certificate degrees) will automatically be placed on financial aid suspension and will
no longer be eligible to receive financial aid unless an appeal has been approved. Students completing their declared major may also be placed on financial aid suspension.
Students on suspension are encouraged to continue enrollment at WC. Enrolling and paying for courses as well as successfully completing courses can assist in regaining the student’s eligibility. The student must alert the Financial Aid Staff for a re-evaluation of their SAP status. If the student successfully regains eligible SAP status, then they will be eligible again for federal aid.
Financial Aid Probation
Students, who were previously put on suspension due to not meeting the minimum satisfactory academic progress, may be granted one long semester of financial aid with an approved appeal. Once the one semester is completed and if the student does not meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress, they will be placed on suspension. The student may appeal this status.
Appeal Process
A student who has been denied financial aid because of a failure to meet any of the SAP standards may complete an appeal form. Appeal forms for grants and loans can be submitted throughWC Aid Verification. A student must also have a FAFSA on file for the term in which they are requesting the appeal. The student will receive notification of appeal decision within three weeks from the date the completed appeal form and documentation was submitted through through WC Aid Verification.
NOTE:There is a separate appeal form for Exemptions/Waivers. This form will need to be submitted to appeal an exemption suspension status. If the student is on suspension for grants and loans and also for exemptions, both appeals will need to be completed. The Exemption Appeal form is located in Forms and Documents. (A paper Appeal Form can be found at this same location as well.)
Academic Plans
There are times when a student is placed on suspension for various reason such as pace of completion, cumulative GPA, maximum time frame (45/90 plus hours), etc. When a student appeals their suspension, the financial aid committee may decide to put the student on an Academic Plan. This plan is designed to give the students another opportunity to make satisfactory progress in order to complete their degree program or certificate.Each Academic Plan is designed based on the student's needs to obtain maximum success.
Additional Information
Financial Aid willnot be provided for:
- Courses taken by audit;
b. Credit hours earned by placement tests;
c. Non-credit coursework;
d. Any class attempted more than two times if a grade was earned;
e. Transfer or transient students attending for only one term(ex: summer courses only) - Students may change majors while at WC. Only the hours that transfer to the new major
will count towards the student’s SAP. However, excessive major changes(as defined by
the Financial Aid Office)can result in a suspension status. - Support Services: Many services are available to help students attain academic success,
including counseling, testing, tutoring, placement, and resources found in the Academic
Support Center. Information on such services is available to all students and can be
found onthe WC website or in the WC Student Services Office. - WC does not offer ESL programs at this time; an ESL tutor is available through the
AcademicSupport Center.
Examples:
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average
- 2.0 or Higher
- GPA Calculation: Points / Attempted = GPA
Minimum Pace of Completion Rate
- 67% of cumulative hours
- Pace of Completion Rate Calculation:
Cumulative Hours Completed/Cumulative Hours Attempted = Pace of Completion Rate - Example: 30/60=50% Pace of completion rate
Maximum Time Frame
- 150% of the length of the degree or certificate
- Maximum Time Frame Calculation:
Total number of hours in degree/certificate x 1.5 =150% of degree/certificate
Standards of Progress – State of Texas
Texas Education Opportunity Grant (TEOG)
The initial TEOG funds are awarded to students with financial need that are enrolled in Texas public two-year colleges. The amount of the awards depends on what the Texas Higher Education Coordinating recommends each year. They range from $500 to $1,707 per semester based on full time students down to half-time students. The first-year award is based on the school's satisfactory academic progress policy which is a 2.0 Cumulative GPA and a 67% pace of completion rate. The renewal year is based on 2.5 cumulative GPA and 75% pace of completion rate.
Paying For WC
- Tuition and Fees
- What is Financial Aid
- Scholarship Opportunities
- How to Apply for Financial Aid
- Veterans
Financial Aid Quick Links
- FAQs
- Forms and Documents
- CARES Act
- Institutional Information
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