The federal philosophy for financial aid administration is that the main responsibility for financing education rests with the student and his/her family. Federal aid is available to supplement families’ resources. Read below for more information regarding Federal financial aid.
In order for your eligibility for federal aid to be determined, students and/or parents should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. Apply as early as October 1 of each year for the academic year beginning the following fall. Since results from FAFSA are required for institutional aid, it is recommended that ALL students complete the federal application.
EWC’s federal school code is: 003929
Need help completing the FAFSA? Check out these resources!
Completing the FAFSA
- The priority consideration date for federal AND institutional aid is March 15th. Students who have a completed financial aid file by this date will receive priority consideration for all available funding.
- After this date, most funds are first-come, first-served.
- Students must have a completed application on file at least six weeks prior to enrollment to ensure financial aid funds are available to pay for education expenses.
- The FAFSA remains open through June 30th of each academic year but students must have a valid FAFSA on file with EWC during the term(s) in which they are enrolled in order to receive federal funding for that term.
- Students must meet general eligibility requirements to receive federal funding and must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to retain aid semester to semester.
- Students or families who have recently had a change in financial circumstances due to a loss of job or benefits, death, separation or divorce, or other please contact the Financial Aid Office. We will review your situation to determine if you are eligible for additional assistance.
Pell Grant
Pell Grants are available to students with an eligible Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by the FAFSA. Pell Grants range from $740 – $7,395 per academic year for full-time enrollment. The amount is prorated based on actual enrollment.
Pell Grants may also be available to students enrolling in summer semester, depending on eligibility. Students are limited to 12 full-time semesters (or its equivalent) of lifetime Pell Grant eligibility. You can log on to Student Aid using your FSA ID to view your Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU). The LEU will be found on the My Aid page. A student may not receive Pell Grant payments concurrently from more than one school. Learn more about Pell Grants.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG is a federal financial aid grant program with limited funding availability. Priority is given to students with a zero or lower Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by the FAFSA. SEOG amounts range from $100 minimum – $800 maximum and are prorated based on actual enrollment. Learn more about FSEOG.
Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study is a need-based federal financial program with limited funding availability. The student is employed in an on-campus part-time position and paid wages. These wages are subsidized by the federal government and aren’t subject to Social Security (FICA) or Medicare taxes. To be eligible, students must be accepted, registered as degree-seeking at EWC, and meet eligibility requirements as established in the EWC Satisfactory Academic Progress Policies for Financial Aid. Because Federal Work Study is a need-based program, students must complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility. View more information on Federal Work Study.
Federal Direct Loans
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 eligible credits per semester at EWC) and meet all other federal eligibility requirements.
Schedule of Reductions (SOR)
Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, federal regulations require Federal Direct Loan eligibility to be adjusted for students enrolled less than full-time. This requirement is called the Schedule of Reductions (SOR). At EWC, full-time enrollment for undergraduate students is generally 12 eligible credits per semester. Students enrolled in fewer than 12 credits but at least half-time may qualify for a reduced annual loan amount based on their enrollment. Being enrolled at least half-time does not guarantee eligibility for the full annual loan amount.
Your loan eligibility may be reviewed and adjusted based on your enrollment during the academic year. Changes to your course schedule, including adding or dropping classes, may affect your loan eligibility and future disbursements. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions about how your enrollment may affect your loans.
Applying for and Receiving Loans
The FAFSA is the application for federal student financial aid, including Federal Direct Loans. Students must complete the required loan acceptance process and, if borrowing for the first time, complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note before their loans can be disbursed. Loan funds are generally disbursed by semester after applicable enrollment and attendance requirements have been reviewed and the student is determined eligible for disbursement. Students enrolled in Block B courses must also have their Block B enrollment confirmed and meet applicable eligibility requirements before receiving a second disbursement, if applicable. The amount disbursed may be less than the amount originally offered due to enrollment changes or other eligibility requirements.
Parent PLUS Loans
Parents of dependent undergraduate students may be eligible to borrow a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, subject to applicable federal requirements. Parent PLUS Loans have separate eligibility rules and are not subject to the student loan Schedule of Reductions. Parents can find current information and application instructions at Federal Student Aid – Parent PLUS Loans.
Learn More About Federal Direct Loans
Visit Federal Student Aid for information about subsidized and unsubsidized loans, annual and aggregate loan limits, interest rates, fees, and repayment options. We strongly encourage students and parents to borrow only what is needed to cover educational expenses and to consider the long-term responsibility of repaying student loans.