Menu

Financial Aid

  1. Whitworth University
  2. Administration
  3. Financial Aid
  4. Timeline

A Helpful Financial Aid Timeline

The following timeline guides you through important dates and online processes to help you. Feel free to contact us for additional information at 509.777.3215 or finaid@whitworth.edu.

September

October/November

  • Timeline change: Historically, the FAFSA has opened on Oct. 1. However, the 2025-26 FAFSA (for students enrolling in fall 2025) will open in early December.
  • Before the FAFSA opens, please make sure all contributors (students and parents) have filed and received an FSA ID.
    • An FSA ID consists of a username and password you create to gain access to the U.S. Department of Education's online systems. An FSA ID can also serve as your legal signature when completing electronic documents. While you are not required to have an FSA ID to complete and submit a FAFSA form, it is the fastest way to sign your application and have it processed. It is also the only way to access or correct your information online, or to prefill a FAFSA form with information from your previous year's FAFSA form. You must keep your FSA ID secure and never share it with anyone.
    • To create your FSA ID, click here.

December

  • FAFSA opens early December – anticipate wait times and slow processing. Financial aid offers will be sent starting in February.
  • Start applying for a Talent & Participation Scholarship. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is Feb. 1. 

January

  • Wait for schools to receive your FAFSA data. 

February

  • To receive the earliest possible financial aid offer from Whitworth, be sure to apply with the 2025-26 FAFSA by early February. 
  • Apply for a Talent & Participation Scholarship by Feb. 1.

March

  • Review the offer to understand all of the financial aid you have been offered.
  • Check your applicant portal (whitworth.edu/app-status) and address any missing documents or incomplete processes needed to finalize your offer.
  • Talent & Participation Scholarship decisions are announced. This includes music scholarships, theatre scholarships and more. 

June

  • Receive your Billing and Payment Guide from Whitworth Student Financial Services via your student email.
    • Review your costs and financial aid for accuracy.
    • Determine if there is a balance due for the semester.
    • Consider a payment plan or credit-based loan as necessary.
  • Submit a final high school transcript with confirmation of your high school graduation to the Whitworth Admissions Office.
  • Complete processes related to Federal Student Loans. New borrowers must complete two online processes in order to receive funds under this program.

July

  • Receive an email from Student Financial Services with instructions on how to finalize payment arrangements for your fall balance.
  • Watch for an email from Whitworth Student Employment that provides you information on how to apply for on-campus student employment positions.
  • Prepare and post a résumé to Handshake, Whitworth's online student employment portal.

August

  • At this point, if all required documents have been submitted and processed, your financial aid file should be complete and you should have made payment arrangements with Student Financial Services.

September

  • Visit the student employment booth at the welcome fair during orientation week.
  • Begin your student employment job search.
  • If your offer is finalized and your loan processes complete, your financial aid funds should transfer to your Whitworth student account during the first week of classes. For disbursement information, click here.