Back to News Home

CU Here, Featured, News

7 reasons to file the FAFSA

Kevin SheridanKevin Sheridan is Concordia's director of Financial Aid.

At CUW, 99.6% of traditional undergraduate students receive and utilize financial aid. Financial aid is awarded after filing the FAFSA.

What is the FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a part of every college student’s college process. Colleges and universities utilize the FAFSA to determine each students eligibility for all types of financial aid; including federal, state, and institutional grants.

Once you’ve applied to Concordia University Wisconsin for the 2022-23 academic year, it’s time to fill out your FAFSA!

“Filling out the FAFSA guarantees that you’ll never pay the ‘sticker price’ at Concordia,” said Director of Financial Aid Kevin Sheridan. “We understand that the process can feel overwhelming. At Concordia, we have a great number of scholarships and grants that can ease parents minds as they’re trying to make financial plans to send their children to college.”

APPLY TO CUW START FILLING OUT MY FAFSA

Now is the time to fill out your FAFSA for the 2022-23 academic year! Sheridan and his financial aid office team offer seven reasons to fill out the FAFSA as soon as you can!

Here are 7 reasons you should fill out the FAFSA early

Like… today.

You will receive a $1,000 early filing grant from Concordia University Wisconsin.

Yes. That’s right. An additional $1,000 will be added to your CUW student financial aid just for completing the FAFSA before November 30, 2021. Why? Because it helps us help you when you file your FAFSA early. Only new, incoming students for the 2022-23 academic year are eligible for the Early Filing Grant.

You are maximizing your Wisconsin State Grant aid.

Have you heard of the Wisconsin State Grant? The state of Wisconsin provides need-based renewable scholarships for undergraduate students attending eligible private, non-profit institutions like Concordia. But you have to file the FAFSA early to be eligible for this aid!

Not from Wisconsin? That’s okay! While aid like the Wisconsin State Grant may not be available to you, you are still eligible for other aid at the same tuition cost as Wisconsin residents. Read: There is no difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at CUW.

You are maximizing the amount you can get in Concordia specific aid.

CUW grants institutional financial aid based on a number of factors like academic merit, talent scholarships, and other factors. One of these other factors is the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) determined by your FAFSA. Please be aware that the EFC does not represent the actual amount you would be charged at any given college or university but rather helps to determine need-based financial assistance.

Check it off your to-do list! You receive peace of mind that you don’t have to do the FAFSA again for the rest of the year.

As a college student, you will need to submit the FAFSA each fall for the following academic year. While very important, we get that completing your FAFSA may not be the most enjoyable way to spend your time. The sooner you complete it, that’s one less time you’ll ever have to do it again!

The sooner you file, the sooner you get your financial aid award from CUW.

We need your FAFSA information to create your individualized financial aid award letter from Concordia. The sooner you submit that to us (using our CUW school code 003842 directly on your FAFSA!) the sooner we can mail that to you. We begin sending out financial aid award letters as early as November 15!

Filing your FAFSA sooner gives you the information to make your college decision sooner.

Receiving your financial aid award letter provides the information you and your family need as you weigh your college options. We know that the financial details play a role in that. The sooner you have your financial aid award letter, too, the more time you have to create your payment plans through Concordia and calculate out of pocket costs.

Fill out your FAFSA today at FAFSA.ED.GOV!

Questions about financial aid?

We’ve got answers! Concordia’s financial aid office is available for students and families to answer questions about the financial aid process. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

— Rachel (Ferry) Thoms is a member of the strategic communications department at Concordia University. She may be reached at rachel.thoms@cuaa.edu or 734-476-7736.

If this story has inspired you, why not explore how you can help further Concordia's mission through giving.