As the academic year comes to a close, the Office of Student Financial Aid is working hard to assemble preliminary modeling for next year’s financial aid. Extra money from increased Pell Grants, state-based need grants, and a percentage of tuition increases will help the office meet the financial needs of students in a tough economy.

“[With] the need grant, we don’t know how much funding we’ll be receiving,” said Kay Lewis, director of Student Financial Aid. “We will receive an allocation letter from the state in a couple of weeks.”

Until the Office of Student Financial Aid knows exactly how much funding it has to work with, incoming freshmen are stuck with a preliminary award.

“We have good estimates on the funds we have available,” Lewis said. “We’re trying to make sure we have the correct information for the level of funding for the programs. We will be spreading money to meet students’ needs as best we can.”

Along with increases in federal Pell Grants and expected increases in Washington state-based need grants, the Office of Student Financial Aid has a new source of funding to work with: 14 percent of all revenue received from tuition increases greater than 7 percent will be available for it to distribute.

The Board of Regents is expected to approve a tuition increase of 14 percent on June 11.

With this expected 14-percent tuition increase, this translates into approximately $1.3 million in extra financial aid revenue that would be available to the university’s neediest students.

“It’s part of the university grant money that will go to undergraduates only,” Lewis said. “It’s a big pool of money, and we’ll work [with students] with the lowest resources on up until we run out of those funds.”

Even though the amount of available financial aid is increasing, students are still concerned it won’t be enough to combat the increased tuition costs.

Incoming UW freshman Simone Willynck said she is thankful for all the extra support she can get.

“I am glad for that,” Willynck said. “I’m a needy student, and it’s been hard to find scholarships now with all the competition.”

Willynck is coming to the UW under Husky Promise, a program that guarantees that Washington state students from low-income and lower-middle-income families won’t be kept from attending the UW because of financial reasons.

In addition to Husky Promise, she is also relying on Pell Grants to help her pay for college.

Like current UW students, Willynck was concerned when she heard about the 14-percent tuition hikes that were first proposed by UW administrators in March.

“When I first heard it, I was a little worried,” Willynck said. “I’m glad to be a Husky Promise student. Knowing I had that covered, I felt a little better, but I know [the 14-percent tuition hike] will affect me if my financial status changes.”

Willynck has received her preliminary award and is glad to see that part of the expected tuition hike is going toward financial aid for needy students.

“For that, I’m very thankful,” she said.

Reach reporter Eric Staples at news@dailyuw.com.