Financial aid can make a WashU – Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) education more attainable.

Step 1: Apply for a degree or select a certificate program.

Students with a high school diploma or the equivalent may enroll in most CAPS courses. However, some courses are open only to graduate students, and others are open only to students admitted to a degree program. In order to qualify for financial aid, students must first apply for and be officially admitted to a CAPS degree or select certificate programs.*

*The Geographic Information Systems program is eligible for financial aid.

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA online.

To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study and loans, students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov.

Note: WashU’s school code is 002520.

The FAFSA takes four weeks to process. Students may submit the FAFSA before they are officially admitted to CAPS.

*Note: the FAFSA form will calculate what it calls the “Estimated Family Contribution” figure. This number does not indicate what students will have to pay for tuition, or what students might receive in aid. It is used for CAPS to gain insight into eligibility for need-based aid, such as Pell Grants and loans.

Step 3: Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN).

Students using Federal Direct Loans (Stafford) or PLUS loans must fill out a Master Promissory Note.

Step 4: Complete Entrance Counseling.

New borrowers must complete online entrance counseling.

Step 5: Submit a Financial Aid Award Request Form.

Once Steps 1-5 have been completed, WashU’s Student Financial Services (SFS) office will send a financial assistance award letter, telling students how much they are eligible for in Federal Direct Loans (Stafford), Pell Grants, or Missouri state grants.

Note: Financial aid for undergraduate students is awarded based on current grade level at WashU.  If students attended another institution, official transcripts must be received and reviewed by a CAPS navigator to increase their grade level and award according to the US Department of Education.

Step 6: Login to WashU’s Student Financial Services (SFS).

Visit netpartner.wustl.edu and use your WUSTLKey to log in. From the MENU dropdown go to Accept Offer to accept, reduce or decline loans. Then from the MENU dropdown go to Documents and Messages to complete any missing documentation.

Step 7: Complete the financial aid process.

The Student Aid Report will indicate if a FAFSA has been “selected for verification.” To complete the verification process, students will need to provide the following required documentation:

  1. Verification Worksheet for Independent Students or Dependent Students. 
  2. Finalized federal income tax return information must be provided by transferring tax return information to the finalized FAFSA. If students are not eligible to use the FAFSA IRS data retrieval tool, they should contact Student Financial Services by email at financial@wustl.edu. Students not required to file a tax return, should submit a Non-Filer Statement at netpartner.wustl.edu. Sign in with your WUSTLKey and from the MENU dropdown go to Messages and Documents to complete the form and upload. To determine if WashU is missing information, log in to netpartner.wustl.edu and from the MENU drop down go to Messages and Documents.