Students planning to attend Western Nevada College for the 2026-27 academic year can now apply for financial aid, and college leaders are urging them not to wait.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, is open for students who plan to attend in fall 2026, spring 2027, or summer 2027.
By completing the application, students can be considered for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and loans.
Any student planning to attend college during that academic year should submit the FAFSA, regardless of income level. The application is available at wnc.edu/financial.
"Dedicated WNC Financial Aid staff are on hand to help families navigate the financial aid process!” said WNC Student Services Executive Director JW Lazzari. “We encourage families who are unsure of where to start to visit our office, and we can help walk them through the process. The FAFSA been streamlined over the last few years and is easier than ever, but we are always here to help students at whatever stage of the process they are in."
College officials said most students can complete the application in about 30 minutes if they have the necessary information ready. That includes an FSA ID, contributor email addresses such as a parent or spouse, and income information if required. While students must complete the FAFSA each year, officials said preparation can make the process straightforward.
“Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps students can take toward achieving their educational goals,” said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. “With the FAFSA now open on time and the process simpler than ever, this is the moment for students and families to act. Financial aid can open doors to opportunity, and we want every student who plans to attend Western Nevada College to take full advantage of the resources available to them.”
The 2026-27 FAFSA continues to use "prior-prior" year tax data. Applicants will use income and tax information from their 2024 tax return and will not need to update the application after filing 2025 taxes.
Several updates are part of this year’s application. Students with a Social Security number can now create an FSA ID and complete the FAFSA on the same day through a real-time match with the Social Security Administration.
Students are also only required to provide a parent’s email address to invite them to complete their portion of the form.
The updated FAFSA also removes the requirement for many families to report certain assets, a change officials said is intended to make the process faster and more accessible.
Students with questions or who need help can contact the WNC Financial Aid Office at (775)-445-3264 or email finaid1@wnc.edu.
