How to Apply for Federal Financial Aid

It’s important to start early—months before classes begin—so your financial aid is ready on time.

1. Go to https://studentaid.gov and fill out the FAFSA form.

    • Click below for the printable FAFSA Guide to make sure you’re using the right FAFSA for your school year.

2. Send your FAFSA to WSU Tech by entering our full name in the college section: Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology or use school code 005498.

    • Submitting the FAFSA is only the first step. It will give you an estimate, but that’s only an estimate. You must contact WSU Tech Financial Aid to finish the process.

3. Wait 1–3 days for WSU Tech to get your FAFSA (or 7–10 days if you mailed the paper FAFSA).

4. Contact WSU Tech Financial Aid to see if you need to turn in any extra documents.

5. Your FAFSA may need to be reviewed, which can take 2–4 weeks depending on how quickly you turn in any needed documents.

6. You’ll receive financial aid offer notification from WSU Tech Financial Aid once your FAFSA is considered complete.

7. You must accept or decline your financial aid offer. Contact WSU Tech Financial Aid as your selection may require additional steps.

Enrollment Checklist for High School Seniors and Adult Students

Click the toggles below to use a checklist to stay on track, organized, and make the enrollment process easier.

Once you begin each step, you can proceed to the next. Just make sure to regularly check back on the progress of each one.

Step 1: APPLY Complete the FREE online admissions application at WSUTECH.edu/APPLY

Step 2: SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT WITH ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR & TESTING
The ‘Get Started’ section helps with applying, career goals, tours, & testing requirements.
– Testing (Schedule an Appointment): 316-677-9506 or testing@wsutech.edu

Step 3: FINANCIAL AID (FAFSA) & OTHER WAYS TO PAY FOR COLLEGE
Apply for grants, loans, scholarships, veteran’s benefits, or third-party funding.
For FAFSA help, a Financial Aid Success Coach is available to guide you.
– Business Office (Understand your Bill/Payment Plan): 316-201-3493 or businessoffice@wsutech.edu
– Financial Aid Office (FAFSA): 316-201-3493 or finaidoffice@wsutech.edu
– Contact Veterans Assistance

Step 4: ENROLL WITH ACADEMIC ADVISOR
The ‘Applied and Ready to Enroll?’ section helps with college forms, enrollment, scholarships, & costs. Ask an advisor about enrolling in our On Deck at Tech orientation class. Walk-in appointments are available on Wednesdays.

Step 5: ACCESS MyWSUTech PORTAL & WSU TECH EMAIL
Your login info is on the back of your class schedule from your advisor. Once enrolled, set up your MyWSUTech portal, WSU Tech email, & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Manage financial aid, billing statement, class schedule, & more.

Step 6: BE READY BY THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS
Important information about student services & other resources.
– Pay/View your Bill
– Policies
– Admissions FAQ
– Financial Aid FAQ
– Resources

Printable – Enrollment Checklist for High School Seniors

Once you begin each step, you can proceed to the next. Just make sure to regularly check back on the progress of each one.

Step 1: APPLY! Complete the FREE online admissions application at WSUTECH.edu/APPLY/.
Create an account, click Start An Application. You will receive an email with access to MyWSUTech, our online campus portal.

Step 2: MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN ADMISSION COUNSELOR!
If you need hep applying to WSU Tech, figuring out you career goals, or taking a tour, get in touch with one of our admissions counselors. Appointments can be made at WSUTECH.edu/admissions/CONTACT.

Step 3: APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID (FAFSA), GET A SCHOLARSHIP!
Complete the online application at studentaid.gov for 2025 – 2026 (August 2025- July 2026), please complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA.
– Use our WSU Tech school code= 005498 to ensure the correct school selection.
– After receipt of the FAFSA application, there are additional steps to fully complete financial aid.
– Check out scholarship information available at WSUTECH.edu/payingforcollege/SCHOLARSHIPS/
– The Financial Aid department can assist with VA Benefits.
– The Financial Aid Office is available 24/7 by calling 1.316.201.3493 or email at finaidoffice@wsutech .edu

Step 4: COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENTS!
Set up an appointment for testing by calling 316.677.9506, emailing testing@wsutech.edu or visiting WSUTECH.edu/TESTING *Check with Admissions to verify which assessment tests are required for your program.
– Testing is available at the NCAT and WSU Tech South campuses.
– ACT /SAT scores can be used as an alternative to assessment scores. All scores are valid for 3 years after the last test.
– Official transcripts showing completion of College Algebra and/or English Composition with a C or better may be substituted for assessment scores.
– Photo ID is required to take assessments.
– First Accuplacer test is free. ALEKS test is $25 for five testing attempts a year.

Step 5: ENROLL WITH YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISOR!
Please visit: WSUTECH.edu/CONTACT or call 316.677.9680 to schedule an appointment.
– Your academic advisor will assist you with: program registration, completing college forms, degree audits, enrollment, scholarships, assessing any additional tools and class costs.

Step 6: PAY FOR CLASSES!
Payment plans can be created at our business offices at NCAT and WSU Tech South offices.
– Cash/check payments can also be made at these locations.
– Credit card payments can be
made through your MyWSUTech account, by phone, or in person.
– For more information, call 316.201.3493 or email businessoffice@wsutech.edu.
*QR code leads to student account. Student must be enrolled to access their account.

Printable – Adult Students Enrollment Checklist

How to Check Financial Aid Requirements

WSU TECH FINANCIAL AID IS NOW MOBILE

On the go? Finish your financial aid anywhere. Complete forms online, manage tasks, securely upload docs & E-sign on any device on your own time! Click the tabs below for steps on registering student account and submitting forms online.

Step 1: Activate Your Accounts

Go to: WSU Tech Student IT Helpdesk

  • Activate your MyWSUTech portal, WSU Tech email, and register for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
  • For help with login issues:
    studenthelpdesk@wsutech.edu
    316-677-9906

Step 2: Log In to Your MyWSUTech Portal

Go to: my.wsutech.edu/public/dashboard

  • Log into your MyWSUTech portal.

Step 3: Access Financial Aid Section

  • On your Dashboard, click the Financial Aid
  • From the drop-down menu, select Check Financial Aid Status.

Step 4: Register Your Account

On the Register Account page:

  • Enter the following exactly as reported on your FAFSA:
    • Your WSU Tech email
    • First Name
    • Last Name
    • Date of Birth
    • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Confirm your FAFSA status.

NOTE: You cannot register if any of the information does not match the FAFSA records.

Step 5: Complete Registration

  • Click Register Account

6. You’ll receive financial aid offer notification from WSU Tech Financial Aid once your FAFSA is considered complete.

7. You must accept or decline your financial aid offer. Contact WSU Tech Financial Aid as your selection may require additional steps.

Printable – How to Check Financial Aid Requirements

Step 1: Log In and View Tasks

After registering your account:

  • Log back into your MyWSUTech portal
  • Click the Financial Aid tab
  • Click Check Financial Aid Status
  • You will be automatically logged into your Financial Aid Student Forms account
  • On the Needs Action page, view any tasks or forms required

Step 2: Opt-In to E-Sign

  • Select a form to complete
  • Click Create my E-Sign PIN
  • Agree to the Consent to Use of Electronic Signatures

NOTE: If you opt out, you may print, sign, and upload the hardcopy version instead.

Step 3: Create Your E-Sign PIN

Enter the following information exactly as on your FAFSA:

  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Social Security Number (SSN)

Then:

  • Choose a 5-digit PIN
  • Click Create
  • You are now ready to E-Sign forms online

NOTE: If you’re a dependent student and your parent is required to E-Sign, they must also create an account. Both you and your parent must sign in the same way.

Printable – How to Check Financial Aid Requirements

Special/Unusual Circumstances

After filing the FAFSA, some families may realize that their expected family contribution may not adequately reflect their current financial situation due to extenuating circumstances. The federal government allows schools to review any unique circumstances which are beyond the student’s or family’s control and may warrant special consideration.

Special circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

  • Involuntary loss of income
  • Unusual medical or dental expenses paid (out-of-pocket expenses exceeding 10% of adjusted gross income)
  • Tuition expenses for a younger sibling attending a private elementary or secondary institution
  • Divorce or death of a parent which occurred after the FAFSA was filed
  • Dependency status
  • Is there anything I can do if my income has changed from the year reported on the FAFSA?

Special circumstance adjustments are made on a case-by-case basis and do not guarantee any positive change in a student’s federal financial aid.  Documentation will be required and may vary based on individual situations. To determine eligibility for special circumstances, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Decisions on special circumstances vary by institution and cannot be appealed to the Department of Education.