2010-2011 Financial Aid Process
It is the goal of the WDT Financial Aid Office to have students' financial aid funds available by the beginning of the semester - it can take up to 8 weeks to process a student's financial aid award from their initial completion of the FAFSA through the 5-step process outlined below. Below are some examples that can DELAY your Financial Aid (up to 4-6 weeks AFTER completion):
- You did not complete a VALID Student/Parent Loan Application (Step #2).
- You did not complete and/or submit required financial aid documents (Step #3).
- You did not complete the “Award Acceptance Form” to process your aid (Step #4).
- You did not complete the REQUIRED Entrance Counseling: Returning Students-on-line; NEW Students-Welcome Day (Step #4).
- You did not meet all of the Admissions requirements - submit HS transcript/GED, immunization records, confirmation fee, etc.
- You do not have a class schedule in place.
- You changed your enrollment status - example: full-time to part-time.
- You have block classes - aid is disbursed when you begin such classes.
- You owe a previous balance to WDT.
- During a previous enrollment you did not maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
If at any time you have questions, or need additional information, please contact the financial aid office: finaid@wdt.edu, 1-800-544-8765, or (605) 394-4034. Please be sure to regularly check the email address that you listed on your FAFSA for updates from the WDT Financial Aid Office. And, if you're receiving notices (email, postcards, letters, phone calls) from the Financial Aid Staff, it is very important that you provide the information required so that your financial aid application can be processed timely.
We look forward to having you as a student at WDT!
Step 1:
Complete the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid
- Complete your FAFSA on-line! WDT's Federal School Code is 010170
- Don't forget to request your 4-digit PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov. to go totally paperless and e-sign your FAFSA!
Step 2:
Complete your Student Loan Application
While your FAFSA establishes your eligibility for aid, a Master Promissory Note (which serves as an application for a student and/or parent loan) is required to actually receive educational loan funds for your education. WDT participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.
IMPORTANT!
Returning students MUST re-certify their Entrance Counseling BEFORE aid be disbursed. Failure to complete this step will delay your financial aid.
Are you a RETURNING STUDENT
(continuing your enrollment from the Spring 2010 or Summer 2010 semester)?
Have your 4-digit PIN ready and "sign in" to the Dept. of Ed's website to re-certify your Entrance Counseling!
- PARENTS: Have your 4-digit PIN ready and "sign in" to the Dept. of Ed's website to apply for a PLUS Loan PLUS Master Promissory Note (parent loan application) Online! Please note that this is a 2-step process - you MUST first "apply" for a PLUS loan first (click on Start PLUS Loan Application Process). Once you receive an "approval", the second step is to complete a Master Promissory Note.
Step 3:
Complete WDT Aid Forms and/or other documentation
- 2010-11 Financial Aid Information Sheet
(all students are required to complete this form)
- 2010-11 DEPENDENT Financial Aid Verification Sheet
This form is for students who were required to list their
parents’ information on their FAFSA. You will be notified
if you are required to complete this form. Please don't forget to
submit a SIGNED copy of your and your parents' 2009 federal income taxes.
- 2010-11 INDEPENDENT Financial Aid Verification Sheet
This form is for students who were not required to list their
parents’ information on their FAFSA. You will be notified if
you are required to complete this form. Please don't forget to submit a SIGNED copy of your 2009 federal income taxes.
- 2010-11 Dependency Checklist
If you have indicated on your FAFSA any of the following
please refer to this checklist and submit the required
documentation.
- At any time since 13 years of age, you were an orphan/ward of the court;
- At any time since 13 years of age, you were in postcard;
- You are emancipated;
- You were under legal guardianship; or
- At any time on or after July 1, 2009, you were homeless.
Step 4:
Financial aid is Awarded. . .check your E-mail
You will receive an e-mail notifying you of your aid award.
Please review this 2-step process to "accept" your award and complete the necessary Entrance Counseling - Failure to complete the two steps outlined below will delay your financial aid funds.
FIRST
ALL students MUST review their award letter AND notify WDT
on the types and amounts of aid they are "accepting".
Click here to complete the Financial Aid Award Acceptance Form
SECOND
ALL students must complete Entrance Counseling before aid be disbursed.
Failure to complete this step will delay your financial aid.
Are you a RETURNING STUDENT
(continuing your enrollment from the Spring 2010 or Summer 2010 semester)?
Returning Students- Have your 4-digit PIN ready and "sign in" to the Dept. of Ed's website to re-certify your Entrance Counseling!
Are you a NEW STUDENT
(never attended WDT or have a lapse in your attendance)?
You MUST complete Entrance Counseling by attending WDT's
Welcome Day before any aid can be disbursed to you.
Please note that you must be accepted by the WDT Admissions Office AND have submitted your $35.00 confirmation fee BEFORE you can attend WDT's Welcome Day. Call 394-4034 to register or check the status of your admissions application.
NEW Students - go to www.wdt.edu/welcomeday to complete the on-line registration form.
ON-LINE/MAKE-UP SESSION OF WELCOME DAY
If you are an on-line student residing outside Western South Dakota, or if
you were unable to attend WDT's Welcome Day, the
WDT Financial Aid Office is providing an on-line session,
which is posted the first day of classes!
Click Here to Complete the 2010-11 ON-LINE Financial Aid Entrance Counseling/Welcome Day Session
Step 5:
Financial Aid is disbursed at the beginning of the Term
If you have met ALL of the steps outlined above AND all of the admissions requirements AND have a schedule in place, financial aid can be disbursed to you. Our goal is to have students' financial aid funds available when the semester begins - ALL financial aid funds are disbursed by the WDT Student Account Office, and must be used to settle your tuition/fee account before any excess aid is disbursed directly to the student.
Please note that failure to complete any of the steps can result in an up to 4-6-week delay in processing your financial aid.
Other Information
The following information is available regarding the rights and responsibilities of students who are applying for or receiving any financial assistance from: Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, FWS and Federal Stafford Loan Programs. Please click here for the Financial Aid Bulletin. The Financial Aid Office may also be contacted for student consumer information listed below.
Continued eligibility for aid.
Satisfactory academic progress.
Methods and means of aid payment.
Responsibility of student repayment of loans and grants.
Terms and conditions of work-study employment.
Costs of attending WDT.
Refund policy of tuition or fees.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact the WDT Financial Aid Office at finaid@wdt.edu
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