Financial Aid Disclosures

The following information is for families considering appealing the determination of financial need.

We're here to help if you have questions or concerns: sfs@wheaton.edu or 630.752.5700 or Schedule an Appointment with SFS.

The following information is for families considering appealing the determination of financial need.

We in the Wheaton Financial Aid office understand that sometimes unexpected circumstances arise that make the information reported on the financial aid applications a poor reflection of a family’s current financial situation. In these circumstances (some examples of which include job loss, death, severe illness, or divorce), the Department of Education gives us the authority to adjust a family’s financial information to more accurately portray their situation, allowing the student to be considered for additional financial aid.

If you have an unusual circumstance of this nature and would like to be considered for additional aid, please follow the steps below.

Steps in Filing an Appeal

1. Submit Financial Applications as Requested ‐Even if you think you may be eligible for an appeal, you must first file a FAFSA and Wheaton Institutional Financial Aid Application with current information exactly as it appears on your tax documents, as well as provide any additional documentation that is requested. You will then be provided a financial aid package based on those figures.
2. Contact the Student’s Financial Aid Counselor – If, after viewing the award package, you feel that your circumstance prevents Wheaton from being an affordable option, you should contact the student’s financial aid counselor. The counselor will then help you determine the best course of action regarding your situation, including filing an appeal if appropriate. We encourage you to be as open about your situation as possible when speaking with your counselor as you can be assured that any information that you provide will be held in the strictest confidence.
3. Provide Requested Documentation – The student’s counselor will be able to determine what documentation will be necessary to present your appeal to the Appeal Committee. These documents will fall into one of two categories.
   1. Verification Documents – Before we reconsider an appeal for additional aid we will ensure that information used for the initial award was accurate. You may need to provide IRS verified tax information, W2s, Verification Worksheets and/or other documents as requested.
   2. Appeal Documents – These are documents that support the reason for your appeal. This may include things like an Appeal Application or a Projected Income Form, as well as outside documentation such as copies of medical bills or pay stubs. The documents you will be asked to provide will depend on the nature of your individual situation.
4. Await a Decision – After receiving all requested information, the counselor will prepare your appeal for presentation to the Appeal Committee, who will make the final decision. Your counselor should be able to give you an approximate timeline of when you can expect to receive the committee’s decision. Please be patient with the Appeal Committee as they consider the details of your request. The appeal process is very complex and it may take several days or even weeks before a decision is made. We realize how important the committee’s decision is to you and will do our best to provide you with the results as soon as possible.

What is Verification?

As part of the financial aid application process, some students are selected for what is termed “verification”. This means that we are requesting additional information to verify the information provided on the FAFSA. Not all students will be asked for the same information. In addition, the need to verify is assessed each year, so a student may be selected one year but not another. Or, a student may be asked to submit the same information each year. Either way, the goal is to have an accurate assessment of a family’s financial situation. Finally, at any point in the award processing, if we find it necessary, we may require additional information.

Notification Procedure

Students will be notified if verification documents are requested. New students will be initially notified by mailed letter and then once they have set up a Wheaton email account, by email to their Wheaton email account. Information will also be posted on the Wheaton Portal, the secure student portal. Continuing students are notified by email and on the Wheaton Portal. Notification is continued every three weeks until the requested information has been received. Students are responsible for sharing information requests with their parents.

Final Deadline

Students must provide verification documentation prior to the last day of the student’s enrollment for Campus-based, Direct Loan, and institutional need-based aid. Verification documentation must be provided for Pell Grant applicants prior to 120 days after the last day of the student’s enrollment.

Continuing students

For maximum consideration of Campus-based and institutional need-based aid, verification documentation must be received prior to the annually established priority deadline date.

Consequences of not submitting verification information in a timely manner

Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis according to the priority deadline, and awards cannot be processed until all requested verification items have been received (except for prospective new students who will receive an award estimate initially). Once all requested information has been received, awards are processed based on funding availability. If financial aid disburses after semester payment is due, students are subject to late fees and interest charges.

Timeline for Prospective Freshmen

February 15 is the priority deadline for the FAFSA. This is the deadline for maximum consideration for need-based Wheaton Grant funds. Before we can process an award estimate for a new student, the student's admission acceptance must have been finalized, and the FAFSA must have been completed. Please see "Award Estimates", below, for our policy on processing award estimates. Award processing for admitted applicants who meet these qualifications will begin late January-early February.

Timeline for Transfer Students

March 1 is the priority deadline for the FAFSA. Before we can process an award estimate for a new student, the student's admission acceptance must have been finalized, and the FAFSA must have been completed. Please see "Award Estimates", below, for our policy on processing award estimates.

Award Estimates

We can process estimated financial aid awards for new undergraduate and fall transfer students selected for verification if they have completed the FAFSA and certain other requested items. Our goal is to have an estimate to the student in time for the student to make an enrollment decision by the Admission Office’s May 1 deadline.

An estimated award may be completed before the following have been received:  Data retrieval or tax return transcript, verification worksheet, and W2s for non-tax-filers with income. Our recommended deadline to submit these items is June 1.

Please note: All verification information must be submitted before a final award can be determined and before any funds can be disbursed. Also, the award may change depending on the final tax data and other verification information.

Timeline for Continuing Students

March 1 is the priority deadline for the FAFSA. In addition, we must have received all requested verification information by this deadline. Families should make every effort to complete the process as soon as they can.

Timeline for Application for Non-need-based Loans (unsubsidized Stafford, PLUS)

If a family knows that the student would not qualify for need-based aid but still wishes to apply for federal loans, they do not need to apply by the priority deadline. Instead, we suggest they apply by June.  

Tip: To facilitate processing and eliminate confusion, any documents submitted should include the student's full name and student ID number.

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?

When you receive federal or state financial aid, their guidelines require that you make real and measurable progress toward your degree in order to continue to receive federal or state aid. This requirement is called Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Note that institutional scholarship and aid programs may have specific eligibility or renewal requirements in addition to the minimum requirements of the SAP policy.

Read the full policy for

• Undergraduate Students
• Graduate Students

Financial aid disbursements are delayed until after the add/drop period of each semester. Upon request, Pell Grant eligible students may obtain an advance refund to obtain books and supplies required for the payment period if:

1. Ten days before the beginning of the payment period, the student meets all the student eligibility requirements. (Note: A student who has not completed the verification process, has an unresolved “C” code on the SAR, or has unresolved conflicting information is not covered by this provision.) and
2.  Disbursement of those funds would have created a credit balance in federal student aid funds.

The amount provided is the lesser of the presumed credit balance or the actual amount determined that the student needs to obtain the books and supplies, either as defined by the cost-of-attendance budget for the payment period or documentation provided by the student. After confirming an expected credit balance, students should email sfs@wheaton.edu to make arrangements for this provision.

A student’s enrollment in an Approved Off-Campus program may be considered enrollment at Wheaton College for the purpose of applying for federal and institutional financial assistance. Students make application for Approved Off-Campus enrollment through Global Programs and Studies (GPS). Approved Off-Campus enrollment will only be available for students enrolling in a program included on the list of approved programs, which is available through the GPS Office. Students selecting a non-approved program will have an inactive Wheaton status and be required to file a returning student application for readmission through the Admissions Office.

Students granted Approved Off-Campus status are eligible for both federal and institutional grants, scholarships, and loans for the credits that will go towards the student's degree. Determination of institutional need-based grant award amounts are capped at on-campus award amounts. Wheaton College provides institutional scholarship and grant funding for these programs in an effort to increase study abroad participation by our students as part of our Strategic Priority to Globalize a Wheaton Education.

Effective Dates for Refund

Refunds are computed on the date the course drop application is filed in the Registrar's Office, or on the date of the application for withdrawal given by the Student Development Office. The weeks listed below begin on the first day of the semester regardless of the day a student begins attending classes. No tuition refund will be given after week eight for full semester courses.

Reduction of Load

To decrease a student's load, a drop form with the required signatures must be filed with the Registrar. Full refund is allowed for any resulting difference in tuition charge filed during the add and drop period; and none thereafter. (For specific dates, see the Registrar’s Calendar.)

Withdrawal from College

To withdraw from college during a semester, a student will need to officially notify the college by completing the Withdraw / Cancel Enrollment form.

Tuition refunds are allowed as follows:

• 100% before the end of the second week of the semester
• 80% the third week
• 70% the fourth week
• 60% the fifth and sixth weeks
• 50% the seventh week
• 40% the eighth week
• none thereafter
• (For specific dates, see Registrar's calendar.)

Part-time students who enroll only in courses scheduled for eight weeks are allowed the following refund:

• 100% during the first week of the half session;
• 80% during the second week;
• 60% during the third and fourth weeks;
• 40% during the fifth week;
• none thereafter.

Course Fee Refunds

• 100% if dropped by the end of the second week of the course;
• None thereafter unless approved by the department.
• Some course fees have nonrefundable amounts—see course description of Course Fees.

Return of Financial Aid funds

For the student who has received institutional scholarships or grants, they will need to return the same percentage of aid as their applicable tuition refund eligibility. For federal financial aid, a refund schedule is used which is consistent with the current government regulations. See more information on the return of Federal Title IV funds due to a withdrawal.

Federal Title IV financial aid funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that the student was originally scheduled to receive.

If a recipient of Title IV grant or loan funds withdraws from Wheaton College after beginning attendance, the amount of Title IV grant or loan assistance earned by the student must be determined. If the amount disbursed to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, the unearned funds must be returned. If the amount disbursed to the student is less than the amount the student earned, and for which the student is otherwise eligible, he or she is eligible to receive a post-withdrawal disbursement of the earned aid that was not received.

Students wanting to withdraw or cancel their enrollment will need to officially notify the college by completing the Withdraw / Cancel Enrollment form. The official withdrawal date is the date this form is submitted. When a student withdraws after starting classes but before the end of the add/drop period, they must complete the Wheaton College Supplemental Withdrawal Form (Word document) to document their class attendance unless the Registrar receives documentation of attendance from the instructor.

The student will be notified of the change in their financial aid due to the withdrawal through their my.wheaton.edu email account.  A written notification is provided to the student, or parent for a PLUS loan, of eligibility for a direct post-withdrawal disbursement of Title IV loan funds in excess of outstanding current (educationally related) charges. The student, or parent for PLUS loan funds, must provide authorization to the school within 10 days of being notified of their eligibility for a post-withdrawal disbursement of funds for charges other than for current charges for tuition, fees, room and board.

Treatment of Title IV Aid When a Student Withdraws (PDF)

Wheaton College Supplemental Withdrawal Form (Word document)

The first part of this form relates to grant/scholarship aid as well as loan assistance. The second part relates only to loan assistance. This form is informational only and does not constitute your acceptance of any student loans offered. To accept any federal or institutional loans, you must sign a separate promissory note.

The following information is important for all students. If you have any questions, please contact the Student Financial Services Office.

• Student Agreement Form (PDF) 

Direct Costs Per Year*

• Tuition: $45,429
• Average Course Fees: $126
• Average On-Campus Housing: $7,900
• Food: $6,148
• Health and Wellness Fee: $300

Total Direct Cost: $59,768

Indirect Costs Per Year (estimated)**

• Books ($39/hr): $936
• Personal/Misc.: $1900
• Transportation: $660

Total Indirect Costs: $3496

Cost of Attendance

TOTAL DIRECT AND INDIRECT: $63,264
(Amount used to determine financial aid)

*Direct costs will be billed by Student Financial Services. A student may also be billed extra course fees such as Conservatory fees. Housing and food costs may vary depending on options chosen.

Exception: Housing is not a direct cost when a student is living off-campus.

**Indirect costs are estimated and will not be billed by Student Financial Services. The actual costs may be greater or lower depending on the individual situation.

Financial Aid Budget

The financial aid budget above includes the costs that are used in determining financial aid eligibility.

Billed Costs

Billed costs are the costs that are billed directly through the Student Financial Services Office.

Payment Plan Participants

Wheaton College Payment Plan balances will be calculated automatically and will only include billed charges minus expected financial aid. Indirect/unbilled charges will not be included in payment plans balances.

The undergraduate financial aid budget costs in the table above represent the most common student situation at Wheaton College. The following scenarios are examples of when the costs used in a financial aid budget are adjusted. Most of these adjustments are to indirect costs, meaning they are estimates of average expenses only. The financial aid budget used for each student can be viewed at their my.wheaton.edu account.

• Personal/Misc. is estimated at $2,800 instead of $1,900 for independent undergraduate students.
• Housing and Food is estimated at $4,600 instead of $14,0482 for undergraduate students who live at home with parents, relatives, or under other rent-free arrangements during the school year. This is an estimate of indirect expenses; housing and food is not paid to Wheaton College in this situation.
• Students in the Conservatory of Music have estimated average course fees of $3,430 added to their financial aid budget.
• Students in the College of Arts & Sciences completing a BA in Music have estimated average course fees of $2,238 added to their financial aid budget.
• Transportation is estimated at $3,500 instead of $660 for dependent undergraduate students whose parents live outside the 48 contiguous United States.
• Tuition for students enrolled less than full-time are charged $1,893 per credit hour rather than the block tuition rate of $22,710 per semester for students enrolled in 12-18 hours. Students enrolled in over 18 hours are billed an additional $1,262 per additional credit hour.
• Book costs are estimated at $39 per credit hour for part-time students. 

In accordance with the Illinois Public Act 102-0083, Illinois colleges and universities are to provide support and resources to students experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.  For more information about what support is available to you as a student, contact your Wheaton College H.O.U.S.E. Resource Liaison, Carrie Williams, Director of Student Care Services at 630.752.7472 or scs@wheaton.edu.

Financial aid will be disbursed after the add/drop period approximately two to three weeks after the start of each semester. In general, awards are split evenly between the two semesters. Aid will disburse based on the enrolled credit hours per semester. Your aid will be recalculated based on actual enrolled credit hours in a semester. The College must receive confirmation of enrollment for students attending non-Wheaton Study Abroad programs prior to disbursement.

NOTE: If you were selected for verification, funds will not be credited to your account until verification is complete.

Funds credited directly to your student account:

• Institutional, state, and federal funds - scholarships and grants
• Outside scholarships when the funds are received in Student Financial Services.
• Federal Direct loans if the loan has not been rejected and when both the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling are complete.

Funds not credited directly to your student account:

• Federal Work Study: Students receive a paycheck or direct deposit on a biweekly basis for the hours they have worked.

Should you have funds more than your charges, you may request a refund of the excess amount.

As prospective students consider which college to attend, they often question what graduates do after graduation and how many students who start a degree program complete it.

The latest information on graduation and retention rates is maintained in the institutional disclosures section of the College website.

This information is being provided as a service to students and in compliance with the Federal Student Right-to-Know Act.