Financial Aid Checklist
April - May 2025
- Apply for 2025-26 WCU Scholarships using application links at https://wcupa.edu/scholarships
- PA Resident 2025-26 FAFSA Filing Deadline is May 1st to be considered for a state grant
- Review financial aid awards via RamPortal under "Financial Aid" for 2026 aid year
- Accept loans via RamPortal under "Financial Aid"
- First time borrowers must complete Master Promissory Note & Entrance Counseling at https://studentaid.gov to have federal loans post as a credit on the bill
- Send outside scholarship notices to Financial Aid Office
- Check status of State Grant record and make sure WCU is listed (PA Residents only): PHEAA
- Review "out-of-pocket" Cost Calculator for estimate of costs
- Apply for additional financing before the bill by using the cost calculator to estimate balance. When loans are accepted, it can take 7-15 business days for processing due to volume.
June 2025
- If there has been a change in household information after filing the FAFSA, request a special circumstance appeal by emailing finaid@wcupa.edu
- Apply for Work Study jobs
- Add Authorized User(s) through RamPortal Authorized Users can view account activity, make payments, and enroll in payment plans
- Enroll in Direct Deposit through RamPortal under Student Financials (Bursar)
July 2025 (tuition rates are set mid to late July)
- Make sure all Financial Aid Requirements are complete on RamPortal ahead of fall charges.
- Check WCU email for new charges notification and review the e-bill via the link on RamPortal
- Review payment plan options
- 529 authorization—E-mail a copy of your 529 authorization plan to your 529plans@wcupa.edu
- Authorize funds for USH Housing if eligible via RamPortal after the fall bill is generated
August 2025
- Fall 2025 charges due August 11, 2025
- Pay balance due in full or enroll in a payment plan by August 11, 2025
- Change Meal Plan via RamPortal Students can make one change prior to the start of the semester and another (if needed) during the first 2 weeks of class
Financial Aid begins Fall disbursements the week of August 18, 2025
Fall refunds are processed beginning the week of August 18, 2025
October 2025
- FAFSA opens for 2026-27 on October 1st at https://studentaid.gov. Apply early to avoid any delays in processing aid.
November 2025
- Winter 2025 charges posted
- Winter is not an eligible term for financial aid but contact finaid@wcupa.edu to learn about how it may impact your spring financial aid if enrolled part-time
December 2025
- Winter 2025 charges due early December
- Spring 2026 charges posted
- Authorize funds for USH Housing if eligible via RamPortal after the spring bill is generated
January 2026
- Spring Bills due January 6, 2026
February - March 2026
- Review 2026-27 Financial Aid Tasks via new RamPortal starting in March.
- Apply for 2026-27 Work Study
- PA Residents confirm all tasks to secure PA State Grant are completed for 2026-27 prior to April 1st deadline: including income validation
- Apply for 2026-27 WCU Scholarships including the General Scholarship Application, College and Department Applications, and PASSHE Scholarship Application (Available in March)
April - May 2026
- PA Resident 2026-27 FAFSA Filing Deadline is May 1st to be considered for a state grant
- Apply for Summer 2026 financial aid after registering; learn more at: Summer Financial Aid
- Summer Charges posted late April
- Summer bills due mid-May
Bursar's Office
25 University Ave., Suite 50
West Chester, PA 19383
610.436.2552
Financial Aid Office
25 University Ave., Suite 30
West Chester, PA 19383
610.436.2627
Financial Aid begins Spring disbursements the week of January 12, 2026
Spring refunds are processed beginning the week of January 12, 2026