Applying for financial aid may be easier than you think! There are a lot of steps involved, so we’ve broken down the process into easy how-to guides and checklists. If you have any questions, just ask the Student Financial Services team.
Financial Aid Application Checklist
Your first step in the process is applying to Western Iowa Tech Community College. To fill out the free online college application, you will need to create an account. Keep your username and password handy, so that you can start and stop your application at any time. We will save your progress.
Apply for federal aid by completing your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The process takes up to eight weeks, so be sure to start your application as soon as possible.
Apply aid from the state of Iowa by filling out the Iowa College Aid Application. You’ll be prompted to complete this form when you finish your FAFSA.
You’ll answer a short series of questions to determine your eligibility for additional state aid. If you’re not eligible, you’re done. If you meet the requirements, follow the directions to complete the application process.
If you’re not an Iowa resident, we encourage you to check for financial aid opportunities in your home state.
Western Iowa Tech scholarships can be used for tuition, fees, books, room, and board. Most are automatically applied, but some require formal applications.
Western Iowa Tech Student Financial Services will receive your FAFSA from the federal government 10-14 days after you complete the application. Once the application is received, Student Financial Services will send your financial aid packet by letter and your MyWIT student email.
The MyWIT student portal contains all of your important college information including your financial aid, classes, schedule, email, and more. Your MyWIT login credentials will arrive in your college acceptance letter.
Log into MyWIT to check your student email and the Finances Card regularly.
MyWIT > Finances Card > My Account/View My Bill
This is how the college communicates with you about your financial aid awards, notifications, and billing statements.
You may be selected for verification. This means the Department of Education needs additional information before they can process your FAFSA.
If you are selected for verification, Western Iowa Tech will notify you by letter and student email. Check the Finances card in MyWIT for a list of missing or needed information.
MyWIT > Finances > Required documents
Provide the requested information as soon as possible. Your financial aid cannot be processed until the information has been provided.
Once your FAFSA has been processed (it may take up to eight weeks), you will receive an award notification in your school email. You will be directed to log onto MyWIT and view your financial aid package in the Finances card.
After carefully reviewing your financial aid and making an informed decision, accept or deny your loans on MyWIT.
MyWIT > Finances > My Awards > Accept or Decline All or Individual Awards
If you choose to take out loans, there are requirements you will need to complete in order for your loan to be disbursed to the college. View your loan checklist requirements on MyWIT.
MyWIT > Finances > My Account/View My Bill > Financial Aid > Loan Checklist
Read more: Federal Loan Repayment Information
If you have accepted federal loans and are a new student, you are required to complete entrance counseling. This helps you understand the responsibilities of taking out a loan.
You will need your verified FSAID and details on your income, financial aid, and living expenses.
You may also need to complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). This is a legal document where you promise to repay your federal student loans as well as any accrued interest and fees.
You will need your FSAID, school name, permanent mailing address, contact information, and reference information.
Western Iowa Tech will deliver your funds through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution powered by BMTX, Inc.
You can pay your bill online on MyWIT, over the phone, in-person, or by mail. You can also set up a payment plan on MyWIT on the Finances card.
The Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement is required every year you plan to borrow. You acknowledge that you understand how much you owe and that you are responsible for repaying your loans.
The FAFSA form is not a one-time thing. You must complete a FAFSA form for each school year. The FAFSA application for the next school year opens on October 1. Keep in mind that it can take up to 8 weeks to process your FAFSA.
