Financial Aid
As students pursuing a degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, UWW students are eligible to apply for financial aid as long as they carry at least six UMass Amherst credits each semester.
Here are the steps to follow in applying for financial aid as a UMass Amherst UWW student:
- Apply early!—as soon as you have decided
to return to college. It's not necessary to wait until you
have submitted your UWW application. The priority deadline for submitting a FAFSA (see below) is the same date as the deadline for the CPE application: May 15 for fall semester and October 1 for spring.
- Review the UMass Financial
Aid Office web site. Be aware that all UWW students
are enrolled through Continuing & Professional Education, so look first at that section
of the site. Look over the useful set of questions and answers for
Continuing & Professional Education students seeking financial aid.
- Submit the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA)
online. This federal online form
requests detailed information about your financial circumstances. When
submitting the form, use the UMass Amherst school
code 002221 so that
the UMass Financial Aid Office will be able to access your information. Check back to make sure no problems have been identified with your FAFSA and that you have not been selected for verification. If you have been selected, be sure to submit the required documents immediately to the UMass financial aid office (forms are available on their web site. )
- Look over UWW and other scholarship opportunities. Some scholarships
are available only to UWW students; others to all paraprofessionals
or early care workers pursuing a bachelor's degree. UMass also has
a wonderful Scholarship Search database.
- Check your financial aid status on SPIRE. Once
you have been accepted and returned your Intent to Enroll form to UWW and are entered on the UMass Amherst records system
as a new UWW student—usually in early July or early January—you will
have access to your SPIRE records. Keep
an eye on the "to do" list in SPIRE to be sure that you have
submitted everything that's needed.
- Register for classes! When you have been admitted to UWW and your financial aid package is awarded, you will be able to register for your classes through Continuing & Professional Education at www.UMassULearn.net.
