To apply for federal and institutional financial assistance a student and their family must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Our federal school code is #002901. You can complete one of the two application processes:
If you are a renewal-eligible student who had a valid application the year before, when you enter your personal identifiers on FAFSA on the Web 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. The reminder tells students that they can reapply for aid on the Web. Wells College also will send a reminder to all students in January who applied for aid in the current year.
To receive notification of your financial aid eligibility before January 1st, early decision applicants are required to complete the FAFSA by November 1st. An estimated financial aid award will be mailed to the student in December to Early Decision students who have been accepted and a valid FAFSA recieved.
Transfer students are considered a special asset to the Wells College community. They enroll after completing at least one semester's work at another institution, joining the Wells community either in the fall or spring. Transfer students bring breadth and depth of experience that enriches and add value to the Wells experience. As with all students, transfers apply for federal, state, and institutional financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov. The federal school code for Wells is #002901. You and your parent, if appropriate, will need to obtain an FSA ID to serve as your electronic signature. You can apply for your FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov.
Wells College recognizes the special financial needs of many foreign students; however, we are unable to help all foreign students who enter the country on a student visa. The College does not offer any scholarships, grants, or loans that cover the full cost of attending. Foreign students are not eligible for any need-based financial aid funds. The College does not have institutional grant or loan funds to award international students. The Admissions Office at Wells College will determine if an international student is eligible for our Foreign Student Scholarship upon acceptance to the institution. Realizing that foreign students are only eligible to work on campus, they are eligible to apply for campus employment with the Office of Career Services and Experiential Learning upon their arrival to campus. Due to the limited number of available work opportunities Wells College cannot guarantee all students will be employed in their work study programs.
Students can submit applications beyond these dates. 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.
Bills are generated on or about July 1 for the fall semester and January 1 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 award letter and completed all verification, loan counseling, and loan promissory note requirements.
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 at www.tapweb.org. 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.
Wells College does not offer institutional merit or need-based aid to part-time students. If eligible under federal and state guidelines, a student may receive some forms of federal and state assistance.
Not living with your parents or not being claimed by them on tax forms, or your parents’ ability or willingness to pay does not determine your independent status. You must meet one of the following conditions to be considered an independent student:
“Homeless” means lacking fixed, regular and adequate housing, which includes living in shelters, motels, cars, or temporarily living with other people because you had nowhere else to go. “Unaccompanied” means you are not living in the physical custody of your parents or guardian. “Youth” means you are 21 years of age or younger or you are still enrolled in high school.
The application of each student applying for independent status will be considered individually. Wells College distinguishes between voluntary and involuntary independence for the purpose of institutional aid eligibility. If a student enters Wells College as a dependent student they will be considered dependent for all the years they attend unless an exception is granted by the director of financial aid in consultation with the dean of students.
The following students are considered eligible noncitizens and will be considered for financial assistance and should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid:
If you only have a Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464), you are not eligible for federal student aid. If you are in the U.S. on certain visas, including F1 (or F2) student visa or a G series visa, you are not eligible for federal financial aid.
