Financial Aid Overview
Download the WC Institutional Aid Application (PDF)
Important Information
E-mail is Financial Aid's MAIN form of communication. Failure to check e-mail, errors in forwarding e-mail, and returned e-mail (from "full mailbox or unknown user" errors for example), will not excuse a student from missing announcements or deadlines. Students, please read your e-mail daily.
Need-based Aid
The purpose of need-based aid is to reduce the difference between the student's estimated contribution to college expenses (as determined by the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid FAFSA and Washington College's Institutional Aid Application) and the actual cost of tuition, room, and board, plus an estimated amount for books and miscellaneous expenses. For the 2008-2009 academic year at Washington College, that total is $44,935.
Applicants for Fall 2009 should file the FAFSA and Washington College's Institutional Aid Application ASAP. The Washington College code for the FAFSA is #002108. In order to sign your FAFSA electronically, one parent and each student filing will need to apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Although 2008 federal tax information is needed to complete the two forms, families are advised to use estimated tax data in order to submit the forms ASAP. Families with questions about estimating tax data are encouraged to call the Office of Student Financial Aid. New students will be notified of financial aid decisions on a rolling basis beginning early in February.
Merit Scholarships
For students who show exceptional academic promise, Washington College also offers merit-based academic tuition scholarships. These are offered without regard to financial need; however, in cases involving both superior academic achievement and demonstrated financial need, a merit-based tuition scholarship will be included in the financial aid package. Students who qualify for merit-based tuition scholarships are notified of their award at the time of admission to the College.
Grant and scholarship assistance from all sources is first applied to full-time tuition charges. Grant and scholarship assistance in excess of tuition is then applied to direct college charges for fees, and on campus room and board.