Wayne State University is committed to making higher education accessible and affordable, with 93% of students receiving some form of financial aid — and Warriors play an integral role in ensuring they receive aid. The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open, and Wayne State University encourages students to file early to secure the best possible financial aid package for the upcoming academic year.
“A Wayne State education is attainable for everyone, and filing the FAFSA is the first step toward making it happen,” said Charles Cotton, Wayne State’s vice provost for strategic enrollment. “Financial aid accessed through the FAFSA has a transformative impact, especially for first-generation and low-income students. Grants, scholarships and tuition-free programs not only help students afford college, often without the need for loans, but also ensure they graduate with less debt.”
Filing the FAFSA is essential for Warriors seeking aid from programs like the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant or federal work-study. Many scholarships and state-funded initiatives, such as the Wayne State Guarantee, the Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge, the Detroit Promise and Michigan Achievement Scholarship, also base their awards on FAFSA information.
Catherine Kay, senior director of financial aid at Wayne State, emphasized the importance of all students completing the FAFSA even if they believe they may not qualify for financial aid, as the application is used to determine eligibility for a wide range of awards beyond federal assistance.
“Submitting the FAFSA early increases the chances of receiving aid,” she said. “Certain funds — such as federal grants, work-study opportunities and institutional scholarships — are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Early filing gives students priority access to these limited resources and ample time to resolve any errors or provide additional documentation.”
In 2024, more than 8,000 Wayne State students received aFederal Pell Grant, a program supporting low-income students, and 60% of incoming first-year students received enough scholarships or grants to cover their tuition and fees.
Despite the benefits of early filing, the FAFSA process can be intimidating for many students. While issues related to the Department of Education’s updates last fall have been resolved, common obstacles still include understanding the terminology, providing needed paperwork and avoiding errors that might delay processing.
“We recommend students start early, gather all their documents and reach out if they need support,” Kay said. “Our office is here to help students and families navigate the FAFSA process. We offer hands-on workshops, one-on-one counseling, and dedicated FAFSA support days where students can drop in for real-time assistance.”
Items required to complete the FAFSA include:
• Federal Student Aid IDs for the student and parent(s).
• 2023 tax return information.
• Information on child support payments.
• Current bank statements.
• Investment accounts, if applicable.
• Social Security numbers (note: The student’s name must be listed on the FAFSA as it appears on the student’s Social Security card).
For more information, please visit wayne.edu/financial-aid.
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