Student Financial Services (SFS) Student Timeline

Throughout the academic year there will be items that need a student’s attention. In order to receive your financial aid award, be able to make payments on time, have access to available refunds, and allow your parents access to your account, the SFS office needs you to complete the following checklist in a timely fashion:

 

 

While June brings the senior’s undergraduate time at Williams to an end, it is a busy month for new students to begin logging in and becoming familiar with their assorted Williams Accounts:

  • Seniors – make sure that your EphPay Account is paid up to date and there are no outstanding charges before graduation.
  • Continuing students – Now is the time to submit your Request for Review forms if you are requesting a second review of your financial aid award for the 2023-2024 academic year.  If you haven’t applied for aid for the 2023-2024 academic year, make sure you have completed any and all outstanding financial aid applications and tasks.
  • New students – Early in June you will receive information regarding setting up your Williams Student Record and your EphPay accounts.
  • Your Williams Student Record Account is where you will find all the information you need regarding your financial aid award, request a federal Direct Student Loan, and other services.
  • While in your Williams Student Records Account you need to go to Main Menu – Williams Students Homepage – Stu Financial Services forms tile – Enroll in Direct Deposit. Here, you will provide your personal banking information so the college can directly deposit payments into your checking or savings account. Examples of payments that SFS may prepare for you include refunds of overpayments or the Personal Expenses Grant (if you receive financial aid)
  • Your EphPay account is where you and your family will find your semester statements, make payments, and create four or five month payment plans. Make sure to set up your parent(s)/guardian(s) as Authorized Users so they are permitted to speak with SFS about your financial records, as well as have ready access to your EphPay account.

 

July is full of parades, BBQs, beach days, and baseball games. It is also when the college’s fall semester bill comes out. Here are a few things that you should be focusing on at this time during your fun in the sun:

  • Go into your EphPay account and sign up for your interest-free four or five month installment payment plan. If you are using other resources (ex, 529 plans, etc.) to pay your bill, contact [email protected] to get help setting up your plan.
  • If you are receiving an outside scholarship, please report this to the SFS office via your Williams Student Records>Student Financial Services Forms>Report Scholarships/Benefits.
  • If borrowing through a Federal Direct Student loan, a Federal Parent Plus Loan, or other private lender is part of your financing plan, now is a good time to begin the process. Click here for more information regarding student and parent loans.
  • All questions regarding waiving or enrolling into the Student Health Insurance plan should be referred to Student Health and Wellness Services at this time through the end of August.

The clock is ticking as we are in August – time to finish summer jobs and begin your goodbyes to friends and pets. Here are some some last minute items and deadlines that need your attention before coming to campus:

  • Unless you have signed up for a payment plan, your fall bill balance is due August 15, 2023.
  • If you have not signed up for a 5 month payment plan, but are interested in a 4 month payment plan, you will want to go to your EphPay account and set this up by August 15 to keep your account in good standing. If you are signed up for a payment plan, your first payment is due August 25, 2023. If you are using other resources (ex,529 plans, etc.) to pay your bill, contact [email protected] to get help setting up your plan.
  • If you are interested, you should begin the process for a technology (laptop, tablet) purchases using your outside scholarships or requesting a federal student loan.
  • Fall books will be available at The Williams Bookstore for purchase in late August. For students receiving financial aid, you will only purchase your books through the Williams Bookstore using your Williams ID. Non-aided students are allowed to purchase any eligible and required course books with their Williams ID at The Williams Bookstore. Your book charges and credits will be applied to your student term bill account and will be displayed on your bill.


September, the start of a new academic year. You’ve got your new comforter, your Tunnel City coffee, and your course syllabus. Now you just need books:

Fall books will be available at The Williams Bookstore for purchase in late August. For students receiving financial aid, you will only purchase your books through the Williams Bookstore using your Williams ID and swiping it like a credit card. The cost of your required textbooks will be applied to your EphPay account and the college’s book grant will cover your costs after the add/drop period.

Non-aided students are allowed to purchase any eligible and required course books with their Williams ID at The Williams Bookstore. Your book charges and credits will be applied to your student term bill account and will be displayed on your bill.

The 2024-2025 academic year CSS Profile application becomes available on October 1.

The 2023-2024 newly designed and simplified FAFSA application is scheduled to be available in December of 2023.

 

November is the time of year that the financial aid application begins anew.

  • Current and returning US Domestic students can click here to access the FAFSA and CSS Profile applications for the 2023-2024 academic year.
  • Current and returning International students can apply using the CSS profile by beginning here.
  • Remember to log into into your Williams Students Homepage and check your Tasks tile to see if you are missing anything the SFS office might need, including 2021 tax documents, W2s, or your family’s business tax forms if they have them.

If you are planning to study away in the spring, you should be working on your Study Away – Budget Proposal due early in December.

Start planning Spring semester to and from campus. Williams works with an online travel software called EGENCIA where you can book flights and the cost of your ticket will be charged to your student account. For more information about EGENCIA, click here.

 

Do you smell that? December is full of delightful scents like gingerbread, coffee, and late night final papers being printed.  Before you head into the semester break, here are some things to finish up on, or get a head start for the spring semester:

  • If you are studying away for the spring semester, your Study Away – Budget Proposal and other documentation are due December 1. Once you have received your Study Away Bill from you program, you can submit to the SFS office by submitting it here.
  • Spring semester college bill for those staying here on campus will be sent out on December 7.
  • Finish the semester strong and then rest up over the semester break.