Overview
The College Financing Plan is a standardized form developed by the U.S. Department of Education to enable students, who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to compare the estimated costs of colleges and the types and amounts of financial aid available.
The following information is listed to help you understand the College Financing Plan. Do not hesitate to contact the Winthrop University Office of Financial Aid with any questions you have about your financial aid awards.
To view your College Financing Plan, access your Wingspan account:
Costs in the 2021-2022 year
The Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the cost for a student to attend Winthrop University. The COA contains direct expenses (tuition, fees, room/housing, board/meals) that may be paid directly to Winthrop and indirect expenses (books, transportation, personal/other education costs) that will vary by student.
Grants and scholarships to pay for college
Grants and scholarships are normally considered “gift aid” and never need to be repaid. However, if you have been awarded the Federal TEACH Grant, the award amount is included in the “Grants from your school.” The Federal TEACH Grant may have to be repaid in some circumstances.
What will you pay for college
The Net Costs listed on your College Financing Plan is NOT your student bill. Your actual Winthrop cost will be lower than the net cost because your COA includes indirect expenses that will vary by student. Registered students will receive a bill from Student Financial Services in July and December which will list your actual charges at Winthrop.
The Net Costs do not include any loan options for which you and/or your family may be eligible.
Work options
If you have been awarded Federal Work-Study, you may view current job openings on the HR job posting website.
If you do not qualify for Federal Work-Study but are still looking to work on-campus, the Center for Career Development and Internships (CDI) can help. The CDI posts all non-Work-Study positions through an online jobsite, EAGLElink. As a Winthrop student, you automatically have an account, but if you need help logging in or forgot your password, check CDI’s EAGLElink guide (pdf - 366 KB) for assistance. You can also schedule an appointment with a CDI staff member who can assist you with searching and applying for part-time jobs by calling 803/323-2141.
Loan options
Your award package contains the maximum amount of student loans for which you are eligible based on your current grade level. View the other types of loan programs available to Winthrop students.
Family Contribution
The Family Contribution is calculated according to a formula established by law from the information you entered on your FAFSA. It is commonly referred to as EFC (Estimated Family Contribution). The Family Contribution is an index number that is used to determine how much financial aid you are eligible to receive. It is not the amount your family will pay for college, nor is it the amount of financial aid you will receive.
Other options
Winthrop University offers a Payment Plan each semester.
Effective July 1, 2009, federal veterans educational benefits are not considered when determining financial aid eligibility. Therefore, students receiving federal military and veterans educational benefits will not see those benefits listed as estimated financial aid on the College Financing Plan. Any questions regarding your veteran benefits should be directed to the Winthrop University Veteran Benefits Office.
