WSU Helps Students Apply, Pay for College

OGDEN, Utah — In an effort to get additional students to the doors of higher education, Weber State University is collaborating with other education advocates to make the process of applying and paying for college easier.

WSU President Charles A. Wight will speak to Ogden High School students during an assembly Nov. 4 at 8:45 a.m. as part of College Application Week, an initiative to help high school students complete the admissions process.

The university also is sponsoring FAFSA Frenzy to help incoming freshmen and current students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Through federal student aid, students in low-income homes qualify for a portion of the millions of dollars in college financial assistance available.

College Application Week

The goal of Utah College Application Week is to have participating high school seniors complete at least one college or university application during the school day. Last year, 20,000 Utah students participated, submitting 21,476 applications.

“I am proud to play a part in the effort to guide our high school students toward higher education, which will serve them well throughout their lives,” Wight said. “Obtaining a college degree isn’t easy, but it is worth it.”

FAFSA Frenzy

College students, high school seniors and their parents can receive free help from Weber State completing the FAFSA application process, no matter what college or university they plan to attend.

This year, those who complete FAFSA will find out earlier than ever what their award will be for the next school year. The 2017-18 FAFSA uses the 2015 tax return, so students won’t have to wait to apply until they or their parents have filed 2016 taxes.

WSU’s software program Financial Aid Verify (Very) can help students complete the verification process after FAFSA is submitted. Very sends a text message to alert students to take a required step or notifies them if any data are missing. The system also allows students to upload documents for verification and sign documents electronically.

Weber State offered more than $92 million in financial assistance and scholarships that benefited 13,153 students in the 2015-16 academic year. Some of the available money goes unclaimed because no one has applied who meets the scholarship criteria. The Financial Aid office encourages students to fill out scholarship and financial aid applications to qualify for any money they may be eligible.

“Every year, Weber State receives thousands of FAFSA applications between July 24th and the start of fall semester that are late and cannot be processed before school starts,” said Jed Spencer, Financial Aid director. “Changing the FAFSA application start date and allowing students and their parents to use two-year-old tax returns removes the barriers. Students can apply now and this assures their financial aid will be ready when school starts in fall 2017. I hope students will take advantage of this new opportunity.” 

FAFSA events

  • The first FAFSA Frenzy event is Nov. 10 from 3-7 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Computer Lab Room 230C.
     
  • The second will be held Nov. 21 from 4-8 p.m. at Weber State University Davis Building 2 Room 101.
     
  • State GEAR UP will host additional sessions the first Saturday of every month beginning Nov. 5 at WSU Davis Building 2 Room 308.
     
  • The Center for Multicultural Excellence will offer help every Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the WSU Student Services Suite 150. 

For more information about financial aid, please visit the FAFSA website.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Rachel Badali, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • rachelbadali@weber.edu

 

Contact:

Jed Spencer, Financial Aid director
801-626-6586 • jedspencer@weber.edu