Completing the Federal Student Aid Process
Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs are the most common form of financial aid for WilmU students. Complete the following steps in order to be considered for federal financial aid. You MUST be accepted through Admissions to qualify for federal financial aid.
Plan to complete the FSA process at least 8 weeks prior to the start of courses.
The FSA process is a government-driven process that may take up to 3-5 weeks to complete, and may be further delayed if the required documents are not properly completed. So it is important that you plan ahead!
1. Create your FSA ID
An FSA ID is a username and password that enables access to Federal Student Aid's online systems and serves as a legal signature. The FSA ID is only created once and is used each time you renew your federal financial aid.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA form collects your current financial information so financial aid eligibility can be determined by the federal government and award amount(s) can be determined by WilmU's financial aid office.
Submit an initial FAFSA or renew the FAFSA each year that you would like to apply for federal financial aid
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Use WilmU’s school code: 007948 (So that your FASFA will be sent to us.)
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Complete the FAFSA for the corresponding aid year:
If You're Applying for Aid for Courses in any of these Semesters
File This FAFSA
FAFSA Open Date
Federal Deadline
Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026
2025-2026 FAFSA
December 1, 2024
June 30, 2026
Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Summer 2027
2026-2027 FAFSA*
October 1, 2025
June 30, 2027
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*WilmU will begin importing and processing 2026-2027 FAFSAs after January 1, 2026.
The WilmU Financial Aid Office will notify you by email when your FAFSA has been received. In that email, you will also receive your necessary next steps. If you do not receive an email confirmation of FAFSA receipt within seven (7) business days, make sure you have included the WilmU school code (007948) on your FAFSA and verify that you have completed the correct FAFSA for the aid year prior to contacting the Financial Aid Office for assistance.
3. Review Financial Aid Requirements in myWilmU
- Visit myWilmU.
- Locate the "Financial Aid" card on your home page.
- Click on the first link on the card: “My Financial Aid”
- Complete financial aid requirements displayed on the “Home” page.
- If you have not previously done so, you will also be prompted to respond to Questions from the Financial Aid Office on the “Home” page.
4. Verify Acceptance from Admissions
Students must be fully accepted into a degree or financial-aid-eligible certificate program, with no outstanding admission documents.
5. Receive Notification of Award
The WilmU Financial Aid Office will notify you of your award offer by email. This may take up to 2-5 weeks depending upon the date that all financial aid requirements are marked as received.
6. Accept Your Aid Offer in myWilmU
- Visit myWilmU.
- Locate the "Financial Aid" card on your home page.
- Click on the first link on the card: “My Financial Aid”
- Once in the Financial aid portal, click on the "Offer" tab at the top of the page.
- Scroll down on the page to view "Options to Pay Net Cost" and accept, modify, or decline any loans offered and submit your decision.
- Acknowledge the Terms and Conditions of your accepted aid offer.
- Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Master Promissory Note
Valid for 10 years - Entrance Counseling
Only completed once for each school attended.
WilmU financial aid staff will add your authorized/estimated aid on your billing statement prior to the start of your classes.
Actual fund transfers are contingent upon documented class attendance. Once funds are applied to your student billing account, federal regulations mandate any remaining credit balance be released to you within 14 days.
Using Your Financial Aid Toward a Book Voucher
If you have accepted an FSA award that exceeds your institutional charges, you may use your award funds as a voucher at the Wilmington University Campus Store to purchase textbooks and supplies. Funds used for books will be charged against your anticipated financial aid refund. Book Vouchers are available two weeks before the start of classes and expire approximately two weeks after classes begin.