How to Apply

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To be considered for federal and state financial aid - including grants, loans, and work study - you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  

Tip! Before you apply, you should know the following:

Complete the FAFSA each academic year. (An academic year starts in the fall and continues through spring and summer of the next year.)

Application is available October 1 of each year for the next academic year (Example: FAFSA 2023-24 application is available October 1, 2022).

FAFSA 2024-25 will be available mid-December 2023 due to the FAFSA Simplification. Find out more here. 

  • You will report income and tax information from two years prior (Example: 2024-25 FAFSA will use 2022 tax information).
  • Complete your FAFSA early and submit all requested documentation in a timely manner.
  • The Financial Aid Office will begin processing FAFSA Applications in early Spring. Students will receive communication via their student email if/when the school receives their FAFSA Application.
  • Financial aid offers will be available for eligible students in early June. Students will receive communication via their student email when they have a financial aid offer. 

A completed aid application does not guarantee that all aid programs will be offered to you.

To be eligible for financial aid, you need to be accepted into a degree program.

Is this your first time filing a FAFSA?

Step 1: Set up your FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID

The FSA ID is a username and password must be used to log into secure Department of Education websites.

Students and parents should each apply for an ID and password before filing the FAFSA.

Create an FSA ID

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA

Complete the FAFSA

Have you filed before and need to renew your FAFSA?

Renew your FAFSA

After You Submit Your FAFSA

  1. Once you submit the FAFSA, you will receive a confirmation from the U.S. Department of Education to the email you used on the FAFSA. 
  2. You will receive another email from them once your FAFSA is processed.
  3. If you receive an email stating that your FAFSA has been rejected, view your FAFSA Submission Summary for the reason why it was rejected. If you need assistance, contact the NWTC Financial Aid Office.
  4. When processed successfully, your FAFSA will be sent electronically to the NWTC Financial Aid Office.
  5. You will receive an email confirmation to your NWTC email account that we received your FAFSA (Important: You will only receive this confirmation if you applied to NWTC and have our school code- 005301- on your FAFSA).
  6. If no other documentation** is requested and you meet other eligibility requirements, you will be notified by email about your financial aid offer. This process can take 1-2 weeks.

**Your FAFSA may be selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education or NWTC. We will need to collect additional documentation to verify information on the FAFSA or resolve comments listed on your FAFSA Submission Summary. 


FAFSA Verification

Verification is the process your school uses to confirm that the data reported on your FAFSA form is accurate. If you’re selected for verification, NWTC will request additional documentation that supports the information you reported. All requested documents will be listed on your Financial Aid To-Do list in the student portal.

Learn more about Financial Aid Eligibility