Appeal Procedure Explanation
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.
Financial Aid Verification Policy
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 or on the institutional application / CSS Profile. 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. Read the full policy here.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
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
Special Provision for Books and Supplies
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:
- 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
- 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.
Financial Aid Eligibility for Approved Off-Campus Study
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.
Refunds on Tuition and Return of Institutional Aid
Tuition 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. 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.
View the full policy here: Refunds on Tuition and Return of Institutional Aid Policy.
Federal Title IV Funds - Withdrawal Policy
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. Read the full policy here.
Student Agreement Form
The following information is important for all students. If you have any questions, please contact the Student Financial Services Office.
Financial Aid Budget
| Direct Costs Per Year* | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $45,420 |
| Average Course Fees | $126 |
| Average On-Campus Housing | $7,900 |
| Food | $6,148 |
| Health and Wellness Fee | $300 |
| Total Direct Costs | $59,768 |
| Indirect Costs Per Year (estimated)** | |
| Books ($39/hour) | $936 |
| Personal/Misc. | $1,900 |
| Transportation | $660 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $3,496 |
|
Cost of Attendance |
|
*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.
Cost Terms
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.
Situations with Modified Financial Aid Budgets
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.
Housing and Food Insecurities
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.
Disbursement of Financial Assistance
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.
Graduation and Retention Rate Information
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.
Constitution Day
On Constitution Day, September 17, the United States commemorates the drafting of its Constitution. When September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, Constitution Day shall be held during the preceding or following week.
Wheaton College celebrated Constitution Day in 2024 with Dr. Alex Haskins, Assistant Professor of Politics & International Relations, examining what the constitution has to say about immigration and how we, as followers of Christ, should welcome the stranger in our midst.