Financial Aid Application Process

Merit and Federal Aid Application Process

FIRST-YEAR APPLICANTS (Incoming students)

Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible to apply for federal and institutional financial assistance at Wells. Our federal school code is #002901. You can submit your FAFSA in two ways.

  • Submit your FAFSA ASAP to maximize your aid. All students who submit a FAFSA are eligible for an additional $500 grant from Wells!
  • Complete the FAFSA online. This shortens the time it takes schools to receive your information and lessens the chances for errors. The federal application website is studentaid.gov. You and, if dependent, your parent(s) must each have an FSA ID that will serve as your signature. The FSA ID is your identifier to let you access personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems. Your FSA ID serves as your electronic signature and should not be given to anyone. Students and parents cannot share the same FSA ID. If you do not have an FSA ID, you can print out the signature page of the FAFSA and mail it to the federal processor. The FSA ID can be completed at any time at FAFSA website.
  • Complete the paper FAFSA. Forms are available by contacting the Central Processing Center at 1-800-433-3243. Allow 4-6 weeks to process a paper application.

See a general overview of the FAFSA process here (provided by StudentAid.gov).

RETURNING STUDENTS

FAFSA renewal can be completed electronically. If you are a renewal-eligible student who had a valid application the year before, when you enter your personal identifiers on the FAFSA website the federal processor will ask you if you want to pre-fill some of the application with data from the prior year. If you choose this option you can review each pre-filled item, correct any that has changed, and provide new information as needed.

Each year most students will automatically receive a renewal reminder by email from the federal government if they provided an email address in the previous application year, or by regular mail if they did not. Wells College also will send a reminder to all students in January who applied for aid in the current year. Returning students should file for renewal no later than May 1 for the upcoming academic year (Verification completion date is June 1). Wells College reserves the right to penalize any returning student with a reduction in their institutional grant if they apply beyond the deadline date.

I am not eligible to participate in the IRS Data Retrieval on the FAFSA web site. How do I receive a copy of my tax transcript from the IRS?

Tax filers can request a transcript, free of charge, of their most recent tax return from the IRS in one of four ways:

  1. Request a digital transcript on the IRS website. This option will allow you to immediately download and print your return transcript. In the online tools section of the homepage click "Get your tax record." Click "Get Transcript ONLINE". First time users will be required to create an account and complete all steps to secure your account and request your online transcript(s).
  2. Request a paper transcript on the IRS website. In the online tools section of the homepage click "Get your tax record." Click "Get Transcript by Mail". Enter the tax filer's Social Security number, date of birth, street address, and zip code. Use the address currently on file with the IRS, however if an address change has been completed through the US Postal Service, the IRS may have the updated address on file. In the type of transcript, select "Return Transcript" and in the Tax Year select 2020. If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS tax return transcript within 5 to 10 days.
  3. Request via telephone available from the IRS by calling 1-800-908-9946. Tax filers must follow prompts to enter their social security number and numbers in their street address. Generally this will be the numbers of the street address that was listed on the latest return filed. However, if an address change has been completed through the US Postal Service, the IRS may have the updated address on file. Select "Option 2" to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript and then enter "2018." If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive their transcript within 5 to 10 days.
  4. Request through the mail using IRS Form 4506T-EZ. Only one signature is required to request a transcript for a joint return. Completed forms should be mailed or faxed to the IRS directly. If any information on the form does not match the IRS records, the IRS will notify the tax filer that it was not able to provide the transcript.

Transfer Students

Wells defines a transfer student as one who has attempted or earned any college credits at a post-secondary institution after the summer in which they earned their high school diploma, or its equivalent.  Transfer students are welcome to join the Wells community either in the fall or spring semester. As with all students, transfers can apply for federal, state, and institutional financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The federal school code for Wells is #002901. You and your parent(s), if appropriate, will need to obtain an FSA ID to serve as your electronic signature. You can apply for your FSA ID at the FAFSA website. The filing deadline is July 1 for fall transfer applicants and December 1 for spring transfer applicants.

Homeschooled Students

Submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal and institutional financial aid. Wells College's holistic application review process ensures that each and every one of our applicants is evaluated based on their unique individuality, not just their cumulative GPAs. As a homeschooled student, you will automatically be considered for one of our five merit-based scholarships, as well as more than 125 endowed awards.

International Students

With their unique backgrounds and perspectives, international students are an invaluable part of the Wells College community and contribute to a global living and learning environment. To support international students in their pursuit of higher education in the United States, Wells College automatically considers every international applicant for a scholarship up to $25,000 towards cost of attendance. Award amount will be determined based on the student's academic record. International students in search of further financial assistance may benefit from researching scholarships from external sources. International students can also supplement their educational funding by working on the Wells College campus through the Office of Academic and Career Advising. Due to the limited number of available positions each year, we cannot guarantee that all students who apply will obtain employment. Under federal law, international students may not work off-campus during their first year of study, and can only participate in off-campus employment if specific criteria are met. Please read the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website carefully to understand all stipulations regarding employment for international undergraduate students in the United States.

FIling Deadlines

  • First-Year and Early Decision Applicants: ASAP all accepted first-year students who file a completed FAFSA will receive a $500 FAFSA Grant from Wells College
  • Fall Transfer Applicants: No later than July 1
  • Spring Transfer Applicants: December 1
  • Returning Students: May 1 for the upcoming academic year (Verification completion date is June 1)

While students can submit applications beyond these dates, it is highly recommended to file no later than the above deadlines to ensure quick processing. Wells College reserves the right to penalize any returning student with a reduction in their institutional grant if they apply beyond the deadline date. The federal government requires that students must have a processed federal aid application with an official expected family contribution on file before the student ceases enrollment to receive financial aid funds.

Billing Cycle

Bills are generated on or about July 1 for the fall semester and January 9 for the spring semester. Payment or payment arrangements are due August 1 and January 1, respectively. To coincide with our two-semester enrollment and billing cycle, student financial aid is disbursed in two equal disbursements. Federal regulations do not allow the financial aid office to disburse federal financial aid funds to student billing accounts any earlier than 10 days prior to the beginning of each semester. Please note that financial aid will not be disbursed until the student has returned their signed financial aid offer and completed all verification, loan counseling, and loan promissory note requirements.

State Grant Application

New York State students initiate their TAP grant application when they file the FAFSA. If you did not successfully complete your TAP application at the time you filed your FAFSA you will receive in the mail a postcard from the state processing center outlining the application instructions. The TAP application can be completed online. Our New York State TAP code is #1050.

Students from Vermont can have their state grants transferred to Wells College. Application procedures for these grants may vary so we recommend you contact your state processing center for application instructions.

The Globe

For more information, check out the Financial Aid section on the Globe. These pages are not password protected and can be viewed by parents as well.

  • See your financial aid offered (password protected)
  • Status of your financial aid application (password protected)
  • Download and print application forms
  • Hours of operation and important phone numbers
  • Important Web sites links
  • Policies and Procedures in the Financial Aid Handbook Student Employment Center
  • Student Job descriptions
  • Policies and Procedures in the Student Employment Handbook
  • Payroll Calendar
  • Download and print student employment forms
  • Job openings posted during the school year Student Loan Center
  • Federal Direct Application instructions
  • Federal Direct PLUS Loan Application instructions
  • Information on Alternative Loans
  • Important links to manage your student loans