Applying for Financial Aid

At WSSU, approximately 85% of our students receive some type of financial aid. And we understand that the Financial Aid Process can seem overwhelming - even to those of us who work with the process year-to-year. The more you know about the process, the more successful you will be in completing the process.

The first step in deciding how to pay for your education is to understand how much it will cost and how much money you may need after any financial aid awards.

The next step is to review the information below to learn more about the process.

You apply for financial aid by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application online.

We encourage you to submit and complete your FAFSA as soon as possible. The WSSU priority deadline is March 1st. Although there are no guarantees, a priority application means that you have a better chance of receiving funds that are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Tips for Completing the FAFSA

The cost of attendance (COA) represents the total educational expenses a student may incur while attending WSSU for an academic year of nine (9) months, and is a critical element in determining a student’s eligibility for financial aid assistance.

The COA includes both direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are determined by the school and based on the amount normally assessed for most residents. The Student bill is made up of these Direct costs. Indirect costs are not set by the school and include costs that may vary from student to student. These costs are typically presented as:

Direct/Indirect Costs
Direct Costs	Indirect Costs
Tuition and Fees*	Books and Supplies
Room and Board (On-Campus Housing and Meals)	Transportation**
	Miscellaneous / Personal

* Includes the cost of the University's mandatory health insurance. Students may waive the University's plan by providing proof of current health insurance coverage.

**The distance education cost of attendance does not include transportation and will be assessed only for students living off-campus.

To review the Cost of Attendance, click on the appropriate link below:

Winston-Salem State University’s Office of Financial Aid uses an estimate of cost to attend college as a basis for awarding financial aid. The COA is developed according to guidelines established by the Department of Education. Additional consideration is given to University of North Carolina General Administration’s concerns of parity and transparency among the constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina system.

Each year, WSSU establishes a total cost of attendance based on a student’s housing status (on-campus, off-campus, or living with a parent/relative), enrollment status (full-time or part-time) and residency status (in-state or out-of-state) and type (undergraduate or graduate).