To begin the financial aid process, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Based on the information you provide, the government may offer you a loan to help cover your college expenses. Federal student aid could help you pay significantly less out-of-pocket over the course of your program.
You can submit the FAFSA any time beginning Oct. 1 of your senior year in high school and each subsequent year in college. After your application has been evaluated, a Student Aid Report (SAR) indicating your financial aid eligibility will be sent to you and the MWCC financial aid office. Our office will then send you the MWCC financial aid application and verification materials. You only need to complete the specific forms we request, as not all applicants are required to fill out every form.
You’ll receive an email to your MWCC account once we’ve awarded your financial aid. Everything is communicated online – you will not receive a letter or any additional mail. If you apply late, your application will be considered on a rolling basis.
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The below information applies to the 2023 – 2024 FAFSA which covers Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 semesters. Visit this page for information on the new FAFSA for 2024-2025.
The first step in applying for financial aid from the state of Massachusetts, the US Government, or the MWCC Foundation is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form is available online, and the quickest way to apply is via the phone app or at the FAFSA website. You may also complete a paper FAFSA and apply through the mail, but this takes 4-6 weeks.
You must list MWCC’s federal school code on the FAFSA. MWCC code: 002172
Important Deadlines:
- October 1: You can apply for FAFSA any time starting October 1 of your senior year in high school and in each subsequent year in college. The earlier you file your FAFSA for the school year, the better.
- May 1: Deadline to file FAFSA to get MASSGrant aid from the state of Massachusetts.
No matter when you apply, please allow at least 3-4 weeks before the start of classes for all paperwork to be finalized. Remember, you must file your FAFSA every school year.
Returning your Application & Verification Forms – Use the convenient Dynamic Forms (below) to complete and return your forms
A document called a Student Aid Report (SAR) is returned to you indicating your eligibility. This SAR is also sent electronically to the MWCC Student Financial Services office and constitutes the application for student financial assistance. When the SAR is received, the MWCC Financial Aid Application and verification materials will be sent to you.
Please complete all requested financial aid forms online or through the Dynamic Forms (below). Completed forms will be automatically emailed to the MWCC Student Financial Services and the student.
Please only submit forms requested directly by the MWCC Student Financial Services, since not all applicants are required to fill out every form.
Once your financial aid is awarded, you will receive an email on your MWCC e-mail account asking you to view your award online on WebConnect. No award letter or additional mail will be sent to you; everything is online. Late applicants will have their applications considered for an award on a rolling basis.
Dynamic Forms for Financial Aid
Verification Requirements
Certain applicants may be selected for verification by the federal processor. If selected, the College is required to verify certain data elements reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid applications cannot be finalized until all requested documentation is supplied. Verification forms must be completed by students who are selected for the verification process.
Income Verification
If verification of your income is required, please follow the instructions below.
If you and/or your parents did not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing your FAFSA and are selected for verification, the US Department of Education requires our office to collect an IRS tax transcript that was used to complete the FAFSA.
Please note: parents who are married but filing separately must submit copies of tax returns for both parents. Please request a tax transcript directly from the IRS by following the instructions below.
If you and/or your parent(s) or spouse did not file a tax return, a verification of non-filer status may also be required directly from the IRS.
Once IRS documents are received, you may upload them directly to the Financial Aid Office using these links below. You may also mail or bring this information to the office directly. Please do not email or fax this information as these are not secure delivery methods.
Links to Securely Upload Tax Documents to the Financial Aid Office
Please select the link that matches the document you are submitting. If you have multiple documents, please upload them separately using the correct link for each document.
Transcripts
Transcripts may be requested by phone, online, by mail, or in person at the IRS Office in Fitchburg or Worcester (limited walk-in hours are available). Please make sure you request a Tax Transcript, our office cannot verify your financial aid award without one. Do not request a Tax Account Transcript or Record of Account because they may not always be used for financial aid verification purposes.
To obtain a tax return transcript online please follow these steps:
Online Request
- Visit Get Transcript on the IRS site.
- Select either the Get Transcript ONLINE button or the Get Transcript by MAIL button. Both options provide the same results, but the ONLINE option is immediate.
- Get Transcript ONLINE
- Click the Get Started button and complete the requested steps or sign in with existing credentials.
- On the Request Transcript page, select the “Higher Education/Student Aid” option and click on the Return Transcript for the tax year requested.
- Print the Tax Return Transcript and deliver it to the Financial Aid office.
Get Transcript by MAIL
- Enter the requested information and click Continue.
- Select “Return Transcript” for the Type of Transcript, select the tax year requested for Tax Year, and click Continue.
- If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Tax Return Transcript at the address on file with the IRS within 5 to 10 business days. IRS Tax Return Transcripts cannot be sent to an address other than the one on file with the IRS.
- Once received, deliver the Tax Return Transcript to the Financial Aid office.
Telephone Request
- Call the IRS at 1-800-908-9946.
- Tax filers must follow prompts to enter the primary tax filer’s social security number and the numbers in their street address. Generally, this will be numbers of the street address that were listed on the latest tax return filed. However, if an address change has been completed either through the IRS or the US Postal Service, the IRS may have the updated address on file. For a joint tax return, use the primary tax filer’s social security number, date of birth, street address, and zip or postal code.
- Select “Option 2” to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript and then enter the tax year requested.
- If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Tax Return Transcript at the address on file with the IRS within 5 to 10 business days. IRS Tax Return Transcripts cannot be sent to an address other than the one on file with the IRS.
- Once received, deliver the Tax Return Transcript to the Office of Financial Aid.