Financial Aid

Scholarships do not have to be repaid and are awarded based on academic performance, special talents, activity participation, financial need, community service, and other factors.

Our Scholarships page outlines a variety of scholarships funded by WNCC, the WNCC Foundation, the Western Nebraska Education Endowment Association, and other organizations.

Federal Work study is an employment program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and WNCC. Jobs pay at least minimum wage ($12/hour) and generally average 10 hours per week. For reference, students can earn up to $2,000 per year (around 10 hours of work per week) at $12.00 per hour, depending on job placement and requirements.

Not only does the Work Study program give students valuable working experience and a source of income, it also does not affect financial aid eligibility for the next year.

• Current Work Study Opportunities
• How to Apply for a Student Work Position at WNCC

Student or parent loans are low-interest loans available to students enrolled in at least six credits each semester. These funds must be repaid. Find more information on loan options and processes on our Student Loans page.

In order to determine your eligibility for federal student aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. FAFSA is free and can be completed entirely online. Be sure to include WNCC’s school code of 002560, and meet the priority deadline of March 1 to be considered for discretionary grant funds.

Please have all previous year’s tax returns and other income information available when completing the form. If you would like help, call the AIM Educational Opportunity Center at 308.633.0104 or the EducationQuest Foundation at 308.708.7199 to schedule an appointment.

Federal Pell Grants
Need-based aid ranging from $750 to $7,395 based on full-time enrollment, depending on expected family contribution. Federal Pell grants eligibility is based on the results of the FAFSA. Pell grants are fixed amounts, meaning what you receive in Pell at WNCC is the same as you would receive at any other school. You do not have to meet the priority deadline to receive federal Pell grants.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Limited fund awarded to highest-need, Pell eligible students. Up to $800 awarded based on full-time enrollment.

Nebraska Opportunity Grant
Nebraska residency required and awards must be approved by the state Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education before disbursement. This limited fund, up to $1,600, is awarded on a need-basis by the March 1 priority deadline.

Veterans Benefits
New students attending Western Nebraska Community College who are eligible for Educational Services through the VA, either through their own prior service or that of a family member, are encouraged to speak with members of the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound Program and the Military and Veterans Affairs Office for information on educational services. Services include assistance with applying for benefits and completing the FAFSA and scholarship opportunities, in addition to academic and career advising. Student are encouraged to contact 308.635.6120.

First, be sure you actually submitted your FAFSA. You must click the "Submit" button (don't just hit "Enter") in order for your online FAFSA to be electronically submitted. You will receive a confirmation page that indicates the date and time you submitted your information.

If you still haven't received a Student Aid Report (SAR), call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (toll free) or 1-319-337-5665.

The FAFSA will be released as early as October 1 for the next academic year. That means, if you are planning to attend classes beginning in the fall semester, you may complete your FAFSA beginning October 1 of the previous year using tax information from two years prior. Your FAFSA will cover the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Yes. Most financial aid is contingent upon reapplication every academic year. Because your financial circumstances may change from year to year, you may be eligible for more or less aid. After your first year, you can do a renewal application online at fafsa.gov, which contains information from your previous year's FAFSA.

You can estimate your tax amount either by using last year's tax information or by estimating your income using your most recent pay stub. You must update your FAFSA with your actual tax information when it is complete. Note that this may result in a revision of your awards.

You can make an online payment on your portal, or can sign up for a payment plan through NelNet.

Pell grants, other grants, and scholarships are applied to your student account directly if you are registered for the required number of credit hours to qualify for your aid, you are not on suspension, and you are enrolled in an approved program of study.

If your financial aid funds exceed your direct WNCC charges, the remaining amount will be available to you in the form of a check mailed by the Business Office in Scottsbluff. For questions about your account or refund, please contact the WNCC Business Office at 308.635.6020 or e-accounts@wncc.edu.

Students who have excess approved financial aid after allowing it to cover tuition, fees, and on-campus room and board may use their remaining financial aid to purchase books in the WNCC Bookstore and charge those books to the student's account.

Your financial aid is not accessible until the first disbursement date. This is the date when all qualifying funds are transferred to the Business Office and applied to your account. Before that date, the Financial Aid Office is working behind the scenes to confirm you are attending class and meeting the requirements set forth by the Department of Education. Approximately three weeks into the semester, approved financial aid is transmitted to the Business Office and is applied to your account. The bills will stop once the account balance is $0.00.

If you think an award has not been applied properly to your account, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Nebraska Opportunity Grants and any other grants or scholarships will be posted directly to the student's account if you meet the following criteria:

You are registered for the required number of credit hours to qualify for your aid,

Your financial aid is not suspended,

You are in an approved program of study.

The student MUST attend classes to be financial aid eligible. Attendance rosters are completed online by your instructors and attendance will be confirmed before financial aid checks are released.

If financial aid funds exceed direct WNCC charges, the remaining amount will be available in the form of a check and will be mailed by the Scottsbluff Business Office unless other arrangements are made with the Business Office at 308-635-6020 or e-accounts@wncc.edu. 

Financial aid will NOT be adjusted for enrollment changes occurring after the census date, which is usually during the third week of the fall or spring semester, (except in the case of complete withdrawals).

Students who have received award letters from the Financial Aid Office by the start of the semester and who meet all other eligibility requirements should have checks available on the first disbursement date (see dates below). No funds will be released before this date for any reason.

Financial aid disbursements will continue throughout the semester as eligibility is determined and aid is processed. Checks are typically available on Fridays, within two weeks of the student's award letter.

Disbursement Dates:

Fall 2023
September 15, 2023 - First disbursement of financial aid
September 22, 2023 - First disbursement of loans for first-time borrowers 
October 20, 2023 - Second disbursement of loans for fall-only borrowers

Spring 2024
February 9, 2024 - First disbursement of financial aid
February 16, 2024 - First disbursement of loans for first-time borrowers 
March 15, 2024 - Second disbursement of loans for spring-only borrowers

Summer 2024
June 7, 2024 - First disbursement of financial aid
July 3, 2024 - First disbursement of loans for first-time borrowers 
July 3, 2024 - Second disbursement of loans for summer-only borrowers

If arrangements have been made with the WNCC Business Office, checks can be picked up at any one of our three campuses (Scottsbluff Campus Business Office, Sidney Campus, or Alliance Campus).

Contact the Business Office at 308-635-6020 or e-accounts@wncc.edu to make arrangements.

If the student indicated on their FAFSA that they were interested in Federal Direct Student Loans, the award letter indicates the amount of subsidized loan for which the student is eligible. Students may have unsubsidized Federal Direct Student loan eligibility not reflected on the award letter.

Loan disbursement dates are the same as for grants except for first-year, first-time borrowers. If a student has never had a student loan before and is a freshman at WNCC, the loan check will not become available until 30 days after the first date of the semester.

All loans must be disbursed in two equal payments. If a student requested a semester-only loan rather than an academic year loan (fall/spring), the second portion of the loan will not be available until after the mid-point of the semester.

Students will be notified via WNCC e-mail when loan funds have been disbursed to their account. Students may choose to cancel all or part of their loan within 14 days of disbursement notification.

Federal Work Study is an employment program funded by the federal government and WNCC and is based on the results of the FAFSA. It provides students with part-time jobs to help meet the cost of education. Jobs pay at least minimum wage and generally average 10 hours per week. Student Employment positions funded entirely by WNCC may be available on campus for students who do not qualify for Federal Work Study.

Time entry is completed online to ensure accuracy and that students are not working during class time. Students are paid twice a month (on the 15th and 30th) for the previous two weeks. Paychecks may be picked up in the Scottsbluff Campus Business Office, or the Sidney or Alliance campuses. Or, students may elect direct deposit to a bank account.

Federal Work Study earnings generally cannot exceed the amount listed in the award letter or contract. Students must make sure to inform their supervisors of this amount. The student and their supervisor should monitor hours and wages to ensure the student does not exceed the allowable limit