Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive help with my FAFSA?

Yes. Please stop by the Welcome Center, email financial_aid@nicoletcollege.edu, or call 715-365-4493 to get started and/or to schedule an appointment.

What should I have ready when filling out my FAFSA?

When filling out your FASFA for  the 2023-2024  academic year have the following available: 

  • 2021 student federal tax return and W2(s) 

  • Documentation of student and spouse child support received/paid, unemployment, or other forms of non-taxed income 

  • Documentation of student balances for cash, checking, savings, and investment accounts as of the date of filing the FAFSA 

  • SSN/DOB of student 

  • Student FSA ID (if already established) or go to  https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch?continueTo=fafsa to create a FSA ID 

**Students under age 24, who are determined to be dependent by FAFSA requirements, must also provide the same information for their parents .

***Students who are married must include the same information for their spouse . 

What is verification?

Verification is the process used to check the accuracy of the information submitted by students on their FAFSA. The federal processor randomly selects student applications for verification. Under certain circumstances, Nicolet College Financial Aid may also select you for verification. If selected you will receive a Missing Information Letter via email requesting additional forms and/or documentation. Financial aid processing can only continue once you have completed and submitted all the required documentation. To minimize the amount of documentation needed for verification, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) when originally filing your FAFSA. 

What happens once I qualify for aid?

If you qualify for financial aid, a financial aid offer will be placed in your student account after registering for classes, and a notification will be sent to your Nicolet College email. You will also be able to view your offers by logging on to the Financial Aid NetPartner or through your MyNicolet portal.  

If you are accepting a direct loan for the first time, you must visit studentaid.gov to complete both entrance counseling and a master promissory note before the loan can be processed.

How do I accept my financial aid offer? When will I receive my financial aid refund check?

Grants and scholarships are automatically accepted for you, but you must accept any Federal student loans. You do this in the Financial Aid NetPartner.  Here are the instructions for how to accept your offer. 

Disbursement is the process of having financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, and other outside sources) applied to your student account. Financial aid is calculated based on the number of credits you are registered for and participating in at the Date of Record (DOR) or Census Date. All instructors report student participation on DOR 14 days after the start of the student's term, and your financial aid is based solely on the classes you are participating in.

A financial aid refund check may be issued for the difference between a student's grants, scholarships, loans, and other sources of aid minus any tuition, books, or other charges on the student's account. If the student has a credit balance, a refund is mailed to the student within 14 days. Checks are mailed on Fridays beginning the week after DOR each term.  

Student loans are disbursed in two increments with the first half 30 days after the start of the term and the second half at the mid-point of the term. 

If you are a student in a competency-based program, funds are disbursed like what is mentioned above, but dates will be based on your enrollment period. Your specific disbursement dates will be available when you sign into your MyNicolet account and into the financial aid NetPartner. If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance. 

If students have not submitted all paperwork requested (i.e. verification forms) by these dates, their funds will be disbursed into their Nicolet College account after they are eligible for funding and refunds mailed within 14 days. All documents must be received and approved by the Nicolet College Financial Aid Office by the last day of the term.  

Will financial aid pay for my books?

Yes, you may purchase your books at the Nicolet College Bookstore and charge the purchase to your student account if you have excess funds after your tuition has been paid and your financial aid refund check has not been processed. If you have already received your refund check, you will need to use those funds to purchase books. You do not need to wait until your financial aid is processed to purchase your books but be aware that you will be responsible for paying for them out of pocket if your aid is not processed for any reason.

What about my tuition bill?

If your financial aid covers all of your tuition and any book charges, the process for paying off your student account balance is automatic. If your financial aid does not cover the cost of your tuition, you must pay the balance on your account by the tuition due date. Payment plans can be arranged through your MyNicolet account. Contact the Nicolet College Business Office at 715-365-4458 with any questions. 

Why did I receive a notice that my FAFSA was corrected by the school?

Sometimes we will correct information reported on your FAFSA such as your year in school or the type of degree you are pursuing. We will also submit updates once we have completed your verification or resolved any conflicting information.

Is there any other information I should know about financial aid?

  • Actual offers  are based on your term enrollment. 

  • State and federal funds are tentative at the time of offer. 

  • Financial aid offers will be amended if your eligibility is based on incorrect information on the FAFSA. 

  • Financial aid offers are amended if late start classes are dropped prior to their start and regardless of whether financial aid has been disbursed. 

  • Financial aid will be amended if you receive scholarships or any other type of educational assistance that results in an over-award. 

  • You may not receive financial aid funds from more than one school at a time. 

  • Contact the Financial Aid Office if attending another college and need a consortium agreement. 

  • Contact the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from a course.