Evaluating Need

Evaluating Need

Financing a WAU education is a critical aspect in determining your ability to attend our University. At WAU, we are committed to assisting families with making the most of their financial aid dollars. Student Financial Aid treats families equitably while maintaining flexibility in recognizing unusual situations. Each financial aid application is given a personal review by experienced staff in the Office of Student Financial Aid. In addition to submitting the required documentation, you are welcome to include any information you believe will help understand your family’s financial circumstances.

The following factors are used in determining your eligibility for need-based assistance:

  • Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance is determined by WAU and is an estimate of the educational and miscellaneous expenses a student will occur during the nine-month academic year. An educational expense budget is calculated for each financial aid applicant. These expenses include direct costs such as tuition, fees, house, and food, as well as indirect costs, which are standard allowances for books, supplies, personal expenses, and transportation.

  • Student Aid Index (SAI) Previously Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)

WAU uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as the primary determinant in calculating the student’s financial need. The Office of Student Financial Aid evaluates each student’s application using federal and institutional methodologies to assess the family’s financial resources. During the review, attention is given to individual family circumstances. Based on this information, a determination is made as to what the family could expect to contribute toward the student’s annual educational expenses following the appropriate federal and University policies.

  • Financial Need

Demonstrated financial need of each student is the difference between the cost of attendance and the Student Aid Index (SAI). The calculated need determines the student’s eligibility for financial assistance.

  • Financial Aid Award Calculation

Eligibility for government grants is determined by the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation from the FAFSA. Campus-based federal funds are awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis until the funds have been depleted. Additional need-based institutional aid is awarded if a need still exists after all gift aid has been awarded. The student is sent notification of the aid offer in the form of an offer letter.

The financial aid offer may include one or a combination of the following assistance: grants or scholarships from federal or institutional funds, and federal loans.

  • Verification

Verification is a process the Department of Education requires of Financial Aid offices to review select data elements on the FAFSA. WAU is required to compare the FAFSA with the information provided in the required verification documents. If a discrepancy is found, updates will be made to the FAFSA and sent to the Central Processing System (CPS) for reprocessing. Financial aid awards will be recalculated using the corrected SAI from the updated FAFSA. A new offer letter will be sent to the student with the adjusted financial aid awards.

WAU has established a partnership with Inceptia to expedite the federal verification process for Washington Adventist University. Verification Gateway (VG) from Inceptia is an online portal to guide students and parents through verification.

If your FAFSA application is selected for verification, you will receive an email from VGCS@inceptia.org, or postcard from Inceptia, containing Washington Adventist University’s unique website link to start the verification process. Any student selected for verification is required to complete and submit the appropriate documentation to Inceptia. Additionally, WAU’s Student Financial Aid office will communicate with all students selected for verification via their Self Service Portal, email, and/or by phone.

Common Documentation May Include:

  • IRS Tax Return Transcripts (parent and student, if applicable)
  • W-2s for each person who worked, including the student
  • Verification Worksheet (dependent or independent)
  • Proof of High School Diploma (if selected)
  • Proof of Education Intent and Identity (if selected)
  • Additional items as determined

If you are selected for verification, you cannot receive any federal and need-based aid until the verification process is completed.

For more information on the Verification Process, click here                    

Questions?

For more information about financial aid at WAU, email finaid@wau.edu, or call 301.891.4005 or 1-800-835-4212 to speak to a Financial Aid Advisor.

Student Financial Aid

Washington Adventist University
7600 Flower Avenue, Suite 351
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Email: finaid@wau.edu
Phone: 301-891-4005
Toll-Free: 800-835-4212
General Fax: 301-560-5364