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. Submit your FAFSA by April 15 to be 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, one parent 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.

Students Not Eligible to Participate in IRS Data Retrieval

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:

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).
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.
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.
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

Transfer students enroll after completing at least one semester's work at another institution, joining the Wells community either in the fall or spring semesters. 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, 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 $15,000 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 Applicants: December 1 (all accepted first-year students who file a completed FAFSA by this deadline will receive a $500 FAFSA Grant from Wells College)
Early Decision Applicants: December 1 (all accepted first-year students who file a completed FAFSA by this deadline will receive a $500 FAFSA Grant from Wells College)
Fall Transfer Applicants: No later than July 1
Spring Transfer Applicants: No later than 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 award letter 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 awards (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

Part-Time Students

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.

Independent Students

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:

You are 24 years old or older.
You will be enrolled in a master’s or doctorate program.
You are married.
You have children who will receive more than half of their support from you during the school calendar year.
You have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you now and during the school calendar year.
You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training.
You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Services. You are considered a veteran if you have engaged in active duty or are a National Guard or Reserve enlistee who was called to active duty for purposes other than training, or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, and was released with an honorable discharge.
From the time you turned 13, both your parents were deceased and you were in foster care or was a dependent or ward of the court. This condition applies even if you are no longer in foster care or a dependent or ward of the court.
You had no living parent (biological or adoptive) since you turned age 13, even if you are now adopted.
You are or you were an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence. You must be able to provide a copy of a court’s decision that as of today you are an emancipated minor or are in legal guardianship or you were an emancipated minor or were in legal guardianship immediately before you reached the age of being an adult in your state. The court must be located in your state of legal residence at the time the court’s decision was issued.
You were at any time from July 1 of the previous year determined by your high school or school district homeless liaison that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless.
You were at any time from July 1 of the previous year determined by a director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were at risk of being homeless.
You were at any time from July 1 of the previous year determined by a director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or was self-supporting and risked being homeless.

“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.

Each application 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.

Eligible Non-Citizen Students

The following students are considered eligible non-citizens, and will be considered for financial assistance and should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):

U.S. Nationals
U.S. Permanent Residents with alien registration receipt cards (I-551 or I-551C)
Permanent Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands
Other eligible noncitizens with one of the following documents from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service: Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) showing (a) “Refugee,” or (b) “Asylum Granted,” or (c) “Parolee,” or (d) “Cuban-Haitian Entrant," or (e) the holder of a valid certification or eligibility letter from the Department of Health and Human Services showing a designation of "Victim of human trafficking."
An official statement that shows you have been granted asylum in the U.S.

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 F-1 (or F-2) student visa or a G series visa, you are not eligible for federal financial aid.