New Student Finance Guide
Below are action steps to help you finance your college education and complete the payment process. Both the FAFSA and Scholarship application can be completed starting October 1st every year.
- Complete your FAFSA on studentaid.gov
- Things to remember:
- Apply Early. Application opens October 1st every year.
- Complete application every year you are enrolled in college.
- List WTAMU as a college on application. The federal school code is 003665.
- The Financial Aid Office will communicate the results of your FAFSA via email.
For assistance completing the FAFSA, contact the ECU Buff $mart Office.
- Apply for WTAMU Scholarships
- Things to remember:
- Apply every year. Application opens every year on October 1.
- Priority Date is February 1, however the apllication is available year round.
- Know the qualifications to renew merit scholarships for the following year.
- Once awarded, you will recieve email notification with instructions on how to accept and write thank you letter.
- Here are some tips and tricks on applying for external scholarships from the ECU Buff $mart Team.
Scholarship Opportunities for New Freshmen
Be sure to check your Buff email. This is how the universty communicates to you about financial aid, scholarships, billing, documents needed, and important deadlines.
Once you have registered for classes, view the following information about financing your college education at WT.
- Log into Buff Connect on the WT Home Page
- Click the "Buff Advisor" Icon
- Select the "Student Finance" menu
- For details, click "Account Activity"
- This page breaks your bill down by charges, payments, financial aid (FA) and refunds
For more information on viewing bill click here.
- Log in to Buff Connect -> Buff Advisor
- Select Financial Aid
- Complete the Checklist
- Things to know:
- Grants and scholarships - typically do not have to repay these funds
- Loans - loans must be repaid
- You can accept or reject any or all of the aid offered. Just because it is provided does not mean you have to take it. Only borrow what you need.
- If you take out a student loan, complete the master promissory note (MPN) and entrance counseling.
- Things to know:
- Accept scholarships and submit thank you letter following the instructions of the awarding department.
- To turn in external scholarships, see "External Scholarships Procedures" page.
- Know what it takes to continue your merit scholarship for the following year.
- Complete the University scholarship application by the priority date of Feb. 1.
- Complete 30 hours at WTAMU for the academic year (fall, spring, intersessions, summer I, summer II).
- Maintain a cumulative WT 3.0 grade point average.
- Payment Plan Details for the Fall and Spring semesters:
- Four equal installments – 25% each (Includes tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, parking, and other eligible charges.)
- $50 enrollment fee (added to overall bill, not due at time of enrollment)
- $20 late fee for each installment not paid by the due date
- Installment amounts may change if:
- You add or drop classes
- Your financial aid award is adjusted after it has been applied
- (Students will receive an email notification if installment amounts change.)
For more information on Payment Plans click here.
Online is the preferred payment method as it is the quickest and safest.
- Electronic Check (E-Check):
- Input checking/savings and routing number. THIS OPTION IS FREE!
- Credit Card
- All credit card payments will have a 3.00% processing fee attached to each payment made.
- Go to wtamu.edu and select Buff Connect.
- Log in and then select Buff Advisor.
- Select student finance and then select “Make Payment/Payment Plan”.
- Select the blue “Continue to Payment Center” button.
- From here you can Enroll in Payment Plan or Make Payment.
Fall 2026
- August 3, 2026 - Payment Plan Priority Deadline
- August 14, 2026 - Financial Aid Disbursement
- August 17, 2026 - Must be paid in full or enrolled in payment plan
For more information on payment deadlines click here.
The University Calendar is a great resource for university and academic deadlines and student events.
If you will be receiving a refund, you may recieve a legitimate notice from BankMobile Disbursements about WT's new student refund program. Set up your refund preference with BankMobile.
For more information, click here.
Have questions or need clarifaction on any of the above? Need a plan to finance your education? Need tips on money management? Contact us at 806.651.2369 or buffsmart@wtamu.edu.
Paying for college is hard and we are here to help you create a plan to pay for college. If you ever have a financial hardship or struggling to pay your bill, come see us.