c8e5 Office of Student Financial Aid | Frequently Asked Questions | Washington College
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Office of Student Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many Washington College students receive aid?

    Approximately 85% of the student body receives some form of need-based financial aid or merit-based scholarship award.

  • What application materials are needed to apply for financial aid?

    WC requires aid applicants to submit both the FAFSA (WC code # 002108) and the Washington College Institutional Aid Application by March 1.

  • What are the deadlines for submitting financial aid forms?

    The FAFSA and WC Institutional Aid Applications must be filed by March 1.

  • When will I be notified of my financial aid eligibility?

    Financial aid for new students is awarded on a rolling basis beginning in February.

  • Will my request for aid have any impact on my ability to be admitted to WC?

    No. All applicants are encouraged to apply for financial aid.

  • Does Washington College engage in ‘award negotiation’?

    No. Special circumstances that relate to the needs-analysis process and that can be documented should be brought to the attention of the Office of Student Financial Aid as soon as possible.

  • Does Washington College offer athletic scholarships?

    No. As a NCAA Division III member, Washington College is prohibited from awarding athletic scholarships.

  • What are your need-based and merit-based programs?

    WC ACADEMIC TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS
    These four-year scholarships range in amount from $7,500 - $17,500 per year and are awarded to admitted applicants on the basis of secondary school achievement and potential for success. All admitted applicants are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee to determine their eligibility for these awards.

    WC ACADEMIC TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NHS & CLS MEMBERS
    All National Honor Society and Cum Laude Society members who are admitted to Washington College are awarded a WC Academic Tuition Scholarship for at least $12,500 annually for four years.  To qualify, students must be a NHS or CLS member at the time of admission to the College.

    HODSON TRUST SCHOLARSHIPS
    Hodson Trust Scholarships are awarded to admitted applicants who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, character, and school/community citizenship. These four-year scholarships range in amount from $15,000 to $20,000 per year.

    THE HODSON SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION AWARDS 
    Hodson Scholarship Foundation awards are given to entering students from ethnic backgrounds that are traditionally under-represented in higher education. Award recipients are selected on the basis of academic and personal achievement.

    QUILL & COMPASS SCHOLARSHIPS
    These $6,000 scholarships ($1,500 annually for four years) are awarded to entering students who intend to major in American Studies or History.

    SOPHIE KERR GIFT IN ENGLISH LITERATURE
    These $6,000 scholarships ($1,500 annually for four years) are awarded to entering students who intend to major in English and/or minor in Creative Writing and who show outstanding promise in the field of English or American literature.

    For more information, visit the Scholarships page.

  • Once my financial aid package is awarded, will additional scholarships reduce the amount of financial aid I can receive?

    Additional scholarships will not reduce the amount of a merit-based aid award; however it may change the distribution of funds within a need-based award package. WC is one of many institutions that reserves the right to replace institutional funds in a need-based award with outside funds. Additional scholarships can be combined with institutional merit scholarships—up to the annual cost of attendance.

  • Are Washington College admission decisions ‘need-blind’?

    Yes, admission decisions are made without consideration of a student’s financial circumstances.

  • Will your institution meet my full financial need?

    The percentage of demonstrated need that is met by the College’s aid award varies from student to student. Meeting full demonstrated need is not the policy of Washington College.

     

  • Are there state financial aid programs that I should know about?

    Yes. Maryland residents can benefit from a variety of state-funded scholarships and grants. Information about these programs is available in high schools and at local public libraries. Filing the FAFSA on or before March 1 is a requirement for state-funded programs. In most cases, out-of-state residents cannot transport their home-state awards to WC.

     

  • Does WC participate in a tuition payment plan that allows installment payments for each semester’s bill?

    For a modest annual fee, Washington College families can make their college payments in 5, 10, 11, or 12 month installments.

  • Does Washington College offer a prepaid tuition plan?

    Yes, Washington College offers a prepaid tuition plan which guarantees savings by protecting the student from future increases in the price of tuition. Tuition may be prepaid at the prevailing semester rate by multiplying the current semester rate by the number of semesters to be prepaid. Prepayment must be received in the student accounts office along with the prepayment agreement document by no later than August 5 in order to lock in at the current semester’s tuition rate.

    The Prepaid Tuition Option covers tuition only; room, board, and other fees cannot be prepaid and will be invoiced according to the normal fall/spring billing cycle(s).

    For additional information or questions, please contact Jeani Narcum, Director, Office of Student Aid at 410.778.7214.

  • Where can I find additional sources of financial aid?

    Students can conduct scholarship searches and discover a wealth of helpful information at a number of websites. A good place to start is www.fastweb.com.

  • How do I contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to get more information?

    Email: fa_office@washcoll.edu

    Phone: 410.778.7214 

    Write to:

    Washington College Office of Student Financial Aid
    300 Washington Avenue
    Chestertown, MD 21620-1197

     

  • What types of financial aid are available?
    • Federal Pell, TEACH, and SEOG grants
    • Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Student Loans
    • Federal PLUS (parent) Loans
    • Federal Work Study
    • State scholarships and grants
    • WC academic tuition scholarships (merit-based)
    • WC tuition grants (need-based)
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