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Student Financial Aid Philosophy and Guidelines

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Statement of Philosophy

The financial aid program at Wright State University is designed to assist students through both merit-based and need-based aid. While the primary responsibility for meeting educational expenses rests with students and their families, the university is committed to providing support when those resources are insufficient. Financial assistance is intended to supplement the efforts of students and families, with particular emphasis on helping cover in-state tuition and fees.

A portion of the university’s financial aid resources is dedicated to recognizing and rewarding outstanding academic achievement. Through a variety of merit and endowed scholarship programs, Wright State promotes academic excellence and student success. Scholarship awards are based on factors such as academic performance, program of study, extracurricular involvement, talent, and available funding. Because these funds are limited, awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis and are not guaranteed to all students who attend Wright State or meet the eligibility criteria. Students attending the Lake Campus may also apply for scholarships funded through the Western Ohio Education Foundation (WOEF), which are administered through a separate application process.

Need-based financial assistance is available through grants, loans, and work-study programs. Funding may be provided by the federal government, the State of Ohio, private lending institutions, the Wright State University Foundation, and Wright State University. Eligibility for need-based aid is determined by demonstrated financial need, which is calculated as the difference between the cost of attendance and the Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is established through a federal formula using information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Institutional need-based funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. In some cases, Wright State need-based grant funds may be used to supplement or replace Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) funding when SEOG resources have been exhausted. Federal and state grants, loans, and work-study awards are administered in accordance with applicable program requirements established by the funding source.

The Wright State University Foundation also offers emergency tuition assistance through the Graduation Fund. This program is available to Ohio-resident undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree who have exhausted all available federal, state, and institutional financial aid. To qualify, students must be within their final two semesters of graduation. Funding is limited to tuition expenses and may not be used for other educational costs associated with completing a degree at Wright State University.

Packaging and Awarding Guidelines

Financial aid is awarded based on a combination of merit, demonstrated financial need, funding availability, and program-specific eligibility requirements. Students will be considered for available aid programs; however, receipt of any award is contingent upon meeting the eligibility criteria established by the university, government agencies, or other funding entities.

  • Criteria such as financial need, citizenship, hours of enrollment, academic level, grade point average, state of residence, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and other eligibility criteria as defined by specific aid programs or donor requirements will be used to determine awards made to students on an annual basis.
  • Priority is based, generally, on financial need and on the time by which all requirements of a completed FAFSA and student file have been met. A priority FAFSA deadline is published annually. The priority deadline is used to award financial aid that is first-come, first-served within each award criterion. Awarding priority is based on the highest financial need and is followed within the limits of funds available. 
  • Students selected for verification of their FAFSA information will not be granted any federal, state, or need-based institutional financial aid resources until the verification process is completed. Students are encouraged to complete the verification process as quickly as possible to benefit from a variety of financial aid resources.
  • Awards made from sources outside of the Office of Financial Aid (such as academic colleges and departments and external organizations) are incorporated into the financial aid award notifications. These awards may replace any loans or federal grants that have been offered. This incorporation of aid complies with all federal, state, and institutional award requirements.
  • When packaging need-based financial aid for undergraduate students, the intent is to fulfill tuition costs, when possible. 
  • The award sequence below allows the Office of Financial Aid to determine which types of financial aid a student will receive. Ultimately, scholarships are awarded prior to other types of financial assistance (grants, work-study, and loans).   

The undergraduate awarding sequence which will be used in awarding aid is as follows (by fund):

  • Wright State University Academic Merit, Talent, or Athletic Scholarships
  • Wright State University Foundation Awards
  • Outside Scholarship Awards
  • Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)—Dayton Campus students only
  • Wright State University Need-Based Grants and Scholarships
  • Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
  • Pell Grant
  • Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
  • Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
  • Private/Alternative Loans

The graduate and professional awarding sequence which will be used in aid awarding is as follows (by fund):

  • Graduate Tuition Scholarships, Assistantships, and other Wright State Scholarships
  • Wright State University Foundation Awards
  • Outside Scholarship Awards
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
  • Private/Alternative Loans  

Expectations for Financial Aid Recipients

  • It is the student’s responsibility to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other financial aid documents to the Office of Financial Aid by the prescribed deadlines that are outlined on the Wright State University Enrollment Services/Financial Aid website. Additionally, students are required to reapply for financial aid each academic year by submitting a FAFSA by the preferred deadline. Students who submit a FAFSA after the preferred deadline are limited in funding options and may need to take alternative measures to pay for an education at Wright State .
  • Students must remain eligible to receive financial aid by meeting all Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) regulations and Scholarship SAP regulations (if the student receives a Wright State scholarship).
  • Students are expected to graduate from Wright State within 150% of the time to normal degree completion. Please refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for specific details.
  • Students must meet all regulations in the Student Code of Conduct along with all academic integrity policies.
  • Students must meet all federal regulations to maintain eligibility for federal financial aid. Regulations include, but are not limited to Fund-Specific Requirements, and Selective Service Registration.  

Wright State University Notice of Non-Discrimination

Wright State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, national ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service or veteran status, mental or physical disability, or genetic information in employment, admission, treatment, or access to its programs or activities. For more information regarding our non-discrimination policy with regards to Title IX, please visit the Office of Equity and Inclusion webpage. For more information regarding our non-discrimination policy with regards to ADA/Section 504/Title II, please visit  the Office of Equity and Inclusion's American's with Disablility webpage.