Need-Based Aid

Paying for college may seem daunting, but we are here to help. Ohio Wesleyan's Financial Aid Office has outlined the steps and provided tips for applying for need­-based aid:

The Process

• Step 1: Apply for admission.
• Step 2: Receive acceptance letter and scholarship offer.
• Step 3: Apply for need­-based financial aid by filing the FAFSA.
• Step 4: OWU priority date for FAFSA, December 1. 
• Step 5: Receive financial aid award notification.
  • Please note: Financial aid awards are based on the total Cost of Attendance (COA), which assumes students live on campus. Since the COA differs for approved commuter students, their financial aid awards must be adjusted accordingly. Students considering commuting can request a revised financial aid award to compare on-campus and commuter costs. Official approval is required to commute.
• Step 6: Contact the Financial Aid Office concerning questions.
• Step 7: Pay your enrollment deposit of $300.
• Step 8: Process Direct Student Loans and Direct Parent PLUS Loans after June 1 at https://studentaid.gov/.

FAFSA

To be considered for NEED­-based financial aid, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1. FAFSA for 2026-2027 will be available online and will utilize your 2024 taxes. The priority filing date for the FAFSA is December 1 (This is a suggested filing date and NOT a deadline). Remember to include Ohio Wesleyan's Title IV School Code (003109) when completing the FAFSA.

FAFSA Filing Tips

1. Apply on time. Ohio Wesleyan's Priority Deadline for filing the FAFSA is December 1. If you have missed this date, you should still complete the FAFSA; you may qualify for need-based aid. We will make every attempt to offer you OWU grant dollars, too, as funds are available.
2. Apply at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa; the application for the 2026-2027 academic year will be available on October 1st.
3. Create an FSA ID: The FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites. You will use this ID to access the FAFSA and student loans if you choose to take advantage of them.
4. The following information may be required to complete the online form:
   • Student's Social Security Number
   • Parent's Social Security Number
   • Student's driver's license number (if available)
   • Untaxed income records
   • Student and parent bank statements
   • Student and parent business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bonds, and other investment records
   • Your alien registration or permanent resident card if the student or parents are not U.S. citizens
5. If you have filed your 2024 taxes electronically, and it has been at least 10 working days since you filed, use the IRS import process to complete your income information.
6. Ohio Wesleyan prospective students who have been admitted will begin to receive financial aid award offers in late February or early March.
7. Questions? Please call 740-368-3050 to speak with your Financial Aid advisor

Special Circumstances

The Special Circumstance Appeal process requires a careful review of your family's current financial status. Please use the following appeal form if your family's circumstances have changed significantly from the previous year. The appeal form will provide you with all the necessary information and steps required for the review process.

• U.S. Student Special Circumstance Appeal Form