Understanding Financial Aid

Because most college undergraduates receive some type of financial aid, it is a worthwhile effort for your family to explore all possible options. And we’re here to help!

Most financial aid is provided by the federal and state governments, though individual colleges and universities, scholarship organizations, and employers may also be sources. Financial aid can be awarded based on financial need or merit, which considers high school academic performance, and can encompass a wide range of assistance—from loans that must be repaid, to grants and scholarships that are gifts, to work-study opportunities that enable students to earn money.

 

What is Financial Aid?

A college using a need-based approach compares its cost of attendance (including tuition, room and board, fees, personal expenses and books) to the expected contribution from the family. If the family contribution is less than the cost of attendance, a financial need exists. The college then offers the applicant a financial aid package consisting of grant or scholarship, loans, and work-study in an attempt to meet the financial need of the family.

How do I apply for financial aid at WPI?

In order to apply for need-based financial aid at WPI for the 2019-2020 academic year, you and your parents must complete the CSS PROFILE Application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Both forms will require 2017 tax year information, which you may hear referred to as "prior, prior year" or "PPY" in many media outlets and other publications referring to changes in financial aid application procedures.

Here you will find links to all of the deadlines and forms you need to fill out to determine your financial aid eligibility.

Financial Aid Presentations

Our Student Aid & Financial Literacy team offers several helpful presentations to students and their families when they visit us on WPI’s open house days we also have some helpful information in our Financial Aid Quick Reference sheet.

Last year we have hosted several sessions of a webinar series "Financing Your WPI Journey".  A pdf version of the power point presentation can be accessed Here or you can watch / listen to the webinar in the video below.

Financing Your WPI Journey

Financing Your WPI Journey Webinar

Financing Your WPI Journey webinar

Fact Sheets

The resources below will help you and your family understand your responsibilities regarding financial aid awards.

Independent/Dependent Student Status

WPI believes that the primary responsibility for an undergraduate education lies with the student and parent, to whatever extent possible. Therefore, all undergraduates applying for WPI institutional funds are required to provide parental information regardless of federal dependency status. Although a student may meet federal guidelines to be considered an independent student, and therefore receive federal funds as an independent student, the ability of parents to assist their children, regardless of age and dependency status, is a factor WPI considers in determining eligibility for institutional need-based grants. Because of this, the WPI Office of Student Aid & Financial Literacy will require parental information from all students applying for need-based institutional aid.  This information can also be found in the financial aid section of the undergraduate catalog.

Financial Aid Resources

We’ve assembled some helpful online resources that can provide guidance and additional information. These sites are not affiliated with WPI, which assumes no responsibility for their content.

Financial Literacy
Tuition & Financial Aid for Online Programs
Financing Graduate School
Net Price Calculator