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Accepting your awards

Financial aid offer information

Wayne State University is committed to using the Principles & Standards of the College Cost Transparency Initiative in its student financial aid offer.

The Financial Aid Offer will be available in the Financial Aid Portal for students to view. Once a student’s offer has been generated, an email will be sent to the student's WSU email, stating the offer is available to be viewed.

Award notification

Financial aid awards must be accepted or declined in the Financial Aid Portal in Academica.

New first-year undergraduates will receive one financial aid offer letter in the mail, and other students will receive an email notice to review their offers in the Financial Aid Portal in Academica. 

How to accept your award

Login to the Financial Aid Portal in Academica to accept your awards

Accepting your awards

  1. Use this link to login to the Financial Aid Portal, or in Academica, under Student Resources, click Financial Aid and then click the Financial Aid Portal link.

  2. Choose the Award Year from the drop-down box in the top right corner.
    • The "2024-25" Award Year encompasses the Fall 2024, Winter 2025, and Spring/Summer 2025 semesters.
    • Select the Award Offer tab.
    • Review the awards offered to accept, reduce or decline the awards.
    • Click the Submit button at the bottom of the page when finished.

Scholarships and grants

  • Scholarships are awarded based on many factors, including academic achievement, ability or financial need.
  • Grants are awarded based on financial need and require no repayment. A TEACH Grant may become a loan if your service requirements are not met.
Scholarship and grant awards - What to do now
  • Complete any requirements outlined in the Financial Aid Portal.
  • A federal or state grant may be reduced or canceled if you do not attend full time.
  • WSU grant awards require full-time enrollment and course completion.

Tuition pledge programs

The tuition pledge programs fill the gap between your tuition/standard fees, and other scholarships or grants. Programs include Wayne Access, Heart of Detroit, and Born to Be a Warrior.

Wayne State Guarantee & Heart of Detroit programs - Next steps
  • Register full-time each semester (12 or more credit hours).
  • Plan to file your annual FAFSA early. The FAFSA is available in late fall for the upcoming academic year.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
  • Be aware of the criteria for renewal, such as GPA and the minimum number of credits passed (each academic year).

Work-study awards

A work-study award is an opportunity to earn financial aid through employment. Funds are paid in a pay check. 

Federal work-study awards - What to do now
  1. If you do not have an award, you may request one online.
  2. You can accept all or a portion of the award in Academica.
  3. Visit careerservices.wayne.edu for job opportunities.

Federal Direct Loans

Keep in mind that loans are debts that must be repaid. If you want a loan, you should accept a subsidized Federal Direct Loans before you consider the more expensive unsubsidized loan. Keep in mind:

  • You will need to register at least half-time (6 undergraduate credit hours).
  • Repayment begins 6 months after you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment. 
  • Interest rates and loan fees
  • Subsidized Direct Loan - A need-based loan for undergraduates. NO interest accrues while you are in school.
  • Unsubsidized Direct Loan - Interest begins to accrue when the loan is disbursed. 
Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans - What to do now
  1. Calculate a personal budget for yourself to determine if you need a loan. 
  2. If you would like to take out a loan, you should accept the subsidized loan first. You can accept all or a portion of the loan in  the Financial Aid Portal in Academica. 
  3. Login with your FSA ID at studentaid.gov to:
  • Complete Entrance Loan Counseling
  • Complete the Master Promissory Note 
  1. You can learn about repayment choices and calculate a monthly payment at studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans.

When to accept your award

Federal work-study awards should be accepted within 30 days. If your award is not accepted within 30 days of an award offer, it may be canceled. 

Loan offers may be accepted as long as you are currently enrolled at least half-time for the loan period.

Declining or reducing your awards

Keep in mind that if you decide to decline a grant or work-study award these funds may not be available to you if you change your mind later. You can complete the Loan Revision Form if you want to change your response on a previously accepted or declined loan award offer.