Financial Aid and Scholarships - Mapping your path to college funding

Our Services

  • Specialized Advising
    • Financial changes
    • Create a personal plan to pay for college
  • Scholarships, Grants and Loans
    • ScholarshipUniverse platform
    • Application support
    • Understanding student loans
  • FAFSA completion
    • FAFSA support
    • Protect you from making errors on financial aid forms
  • Shocker Financial Wellness
    • Peer-to-peer financial coaching
    • Budgeting
    • Understanding finances

Financial aid is a tool! Balance your costs with personal, federal and college contributions.

Estimated Costs at Wichita State

Think of Cost of Attendance as the college's sticker price. But just like buying a car, most families don't pay the full amount.

*Disclaimer - this amount is subject to change for 2026-27

  • Tuition & Fees: $10,910
  • Books & Supplies: $1,250
  • Food & Housing: $14,080
  • Loan Fees: $60
  • Totaling about $29,860 annually for an undergrad resident living on campus*

Wichita State is the most affordable research university in Kansas

wichita.edu/tuition

The FAFSA

Don't delay, apply today.

  • The FAFSA is the single form to apply for federal and state financial aid, such as grants, student loans and work study at Wichita State
  • Opens annually on Oct. 1
  • The 2026-27 FAFSA is open!
  • Wichita State Federal Code: 001950

At Wichita State, we award over $100 million+ each year! 70& of students use financial aid and even more qualify.

  • 41% Loans
  • 31% Scholarships
  • 27% Grants
  • 1% Work Study

Note: Numbers based on 2024-25 data

Ways to Pay for College

Scholarships & Grants

Gift aid based on merit or financial need

Work Study, Part-Time Work, Savings

Earned or saved money

Student & Parent Loans

Borrowed money that must be repaid

Types of Loans

Borrow only what you need — loans must be repaid with interest.

  • Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized
  • Parent PLUS*
    • New for 2026-27: Annual limit at $20,000, with a lifetime total of $65,000 per dependent
  • Private Loans

Scholarships at Wichita State

Merit-based Scholarship Competitions

  • Distinguished Scholarship Invitational
  • AGH, WISE, Klose, Koch, Passage Scholars

College / Department or Outside Scholarships

  • State of Kansas Scholarships
  • Community Organizations
  • Employers (Parents & Students)
  • Corporations/Foundations

ScholarshipUniverse

ScholarshipUniverse is our scholarship-matching tool for admitted and current Wichita State students. ScholarshipUniverse connects Shockers to millions of dollars in external scholarships. We search; Shockers apply!

wichita.edu/scholarshipuniverse

Complete the FAFSA first to be matched with need-based scholarships!

For admitted students, submit your info starting on November 1. For 2026-27, the deadline is April 1

Shocker Promise Scholarship

Our commitment to offer a quality, affordable education to incoming freshmen who come from limited-income families in Kansas. 

The Shocker Promise Scholarships provide last-dollar funding to high school graduates from Kansas. 

Be admitted by March 1, complete FAFSA by April 1. Qualifications on wichita.edu/shockerpromise.

Scholarship Tips

  • Apply for Scholarships
    • Complete 1-2 scholarship applications per week.
  • Activities Chart / Resume
    • Informs the scholarship committee how you spend your time and contribute to your community.
  • Scholarship Essays
    • Passion, personality and purpose! Market yourself and your story.

FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

What happens after you click submit?

  1. FAFSA results
  2. More info needed
    If documents are requested, send to college ASAP
  3. Check college email weekly

Life Happens sometimes

Talk to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships about your special circumstances.

  • Changes in employment
  • Bankruptcy
  • Extra medical expenses
  • Dependent care
  • One-time income
  • Changes in marital status
  • Loss of parent/spouse
  • Loss of benefits

Family Action Plan

Your action plan

  • Get admitted
  • Apply for scholarships
  • Create studentaid.gov account
  • Visit campuses
  • Check your college email
  • Compare aid offers
  • Save money for books
  • Discuss finances
  • Send in transcript / scores

Contact us

Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships