PrattMWP strives to simplify the financial aid process for both students and their parents.

Our financial aid timeline and application details are listed below. Please be sure to carefully follow the directions for each step to the financial aid application process. If you have any questions or need assistance at any point don’t hesitate to contact our Financial Aid Office.

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Students must complete a FAFSA each academic year to be considered for institutional and federal need-based grants, work study, and federal student loans.

The FAFSA can be completed online at studentaid.gov.

It is highly recommended that students file their FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible, but no later than March 1.

Both the student and one custodial parent must apply for an FSA ID username and password before submitting the FAFSA. The FSA ID will be used to electronically sign the FAFSA and future financial aid records.

What else will I need?

• Social Security Number
• Alien Registration number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
• 2020 federal income tax form 1040, W-2s, and other income statements
• Bank statements and records of current investments
• Records of untaxed income
• PrattMWP's FAFSA Federal School Code: 002798

If you are a dependent student, you will also need most of the above information for your parent(s).

2. Verification
A student's FAFSA may be randomly selected by the government for a verification process. Students that are selected for verification will be notified by the Financial Aid Office. All verification paperwork and required documentation should be returned by May 15.

3. New York State Student Aid Payment Application (NYS residents only)
The NYS Student Aid Payment Application will be used to consider NYS residents for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). NYS requires that all students complete a FAFSA prior to completing this application. Once the FAFSA is completed students can link directly to the Student Aid Payment Application from the FAFSA confirmation page, or by going directly to tap.hesc.ny.gov. It is recommended that this application be completed by May 30.

What will I need?

• HESC PIN to electronically sign the application (student only)
• 2020 NYS income tax form IT-201, W-2s, and other income statements
• Records of untaxed income
• Names of other family members attending college
• PrattMWP's NYS TAP Code: 0615

If you are a dependent student, you will also need most of the above information for your parent(s).

4. Financial Aid Award Letter
A student's aid eligibility will be finalized after all financial aid applications and required paperwork has been received by the Financial Aid Office. Students will receive their initial award letter by mail and any revisions will be emailed. Students are required to complete, sign, and return one copy of their award letter to the Financial Aid Office by June 1.

5. Financial Aid Appeals
The appeal process allows students and/or their families to provide additional information to the financial aid office that may not be captured on the FAFSA. In some cases, a student and/or their family may have had a change in circumstances after their FAFSA had been submitted. Students can communicate these special or unusual circumstances by completing an appeal form and providing documentation to support their appeal.

Examples of circumstances that may be considered:

• Loss of employment (involuntary)
• Reduction in income (job change, disability, illness, etc.)
• Substantial medical expenses exceeding 11% of adjusted gross income
• Death of a parent
• Loss or reduction of benefits
• Divorce/Separation
• Request to be considered an independent student (ex: parental abandonment, abusive family environment, legal custody of someone other than biological parents).

Examples of circumstances that may not be considered:

• Request to match a financial aid offer from another school
• Request to exclude stepparent income on your FAFSA
• Parent is also attending college
• High debt-to-income ratio
• Failed business or real estate investments
• Inability to liquidate assets

Students that would like to submit an appeal may email our office at finaid@mwpai.edu and request an appeal form. Completed forms should be submitted no earlier than March 15. Students will receive an appeal decision no later than April 15.