Financial Aid in 10 Steps
1. Apply to Western The earlier, the better. Western uses a rolling admissions policy, which allows students to apply at any time. The earlier you’re accepted, the better you’re set up for housing, classes and financial aid. If you’re accepted by Nov. 1, 2019—and are eligible for merit aid—you’ll receive an additional $500 your first year. Visit western.edu/apply.
3. Merit Scholarship or Tuition Discount Once accepted to Western, you’re considered. Visit western.edu/cost to learn whether your GPA and test scores qualify you for a merit scholarship. If not, your state of residence could qualify you for 150 percent of in-state tuition via the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) discount programs.
2. Complete FAFSA Before you do: a. Student and parent create FSA IDs (fsaid.ed.gov) b. Compile student and parent 2018 tax info c. Set aside approx. 1 hour d. Western’s school code: 001372 An FSA ID is a username and password necessary to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens Oct. 1, 2019. Doing this makes you eligible for grants, loans, scholarships and work-study. To fill out the FAFSA, visit fafsa.gov.
4. Tentative Award Look for this starting early December 2019. You will receive a tentative award in the mail, which is a first look at your estimated financial aid. Estimates include eligible scholarships, grants, work-study and loans.
5. FAFSA Priority Deadline Submit by March 1, 2020, for best award. To optimize your eligibility for loans and grants, fill out the FAFSA at fafsa.gov by the March 1, 2020, priority deadline. Refer to No. 2 for details. Note: After the priority deadline, you can still submit a FAFSA, although without priority status.
7. Common Scholarship Application
6. Official Award & Checklist Look for this starting mid-March 2020. Once you’ve been accepted and completed a FAFSA, you will see your award by mail and Western email. Included will be the Financial Aid Checklist containing important instructions: how to accept full or partial loan amounts, complete entrance counseling and loan agreements.
Deadline: April 1, 2020. Looking for more aid? You can apply for many scholarships via Western’s Common Scholarship Application. To browse and apply for scholarships, visit western.edu/common-scholarships. Note: For information about all Western scholarships, visit western.edu/scholarships.
9. Submit Tuition & Housing Deposits
8. College Opportunity Fund (COF) A tuition stipend for in-state students. If you are a Colorado resident, register for the COF tuition stipend—created by the Colorado Legislature—at cof.college-assist.org. Afterward, authorize via MyWestern. Paid at $94 per credit hour, full-time students can see more than $2,000 per year deducted from tuition (all tuition and fees charts reflect this deduction).
Join the Mountaineer family. Pay your tuition and housing deposits to lock in your place at Western. Class registration opens May 1, 2020. Tuition deposit must be submitted to take the registration survey, which is the key to building your first class schedule. Western’s housing survey becomes available in March; submit your housing deposit by then to select roommate and housing.
Questions? Contact Financial Aid. 970.943.3085 | finaid@western.edu
10. Tuition Payment Due Deadline: Aug. 24, 2020. After your aid disburses, you can pay your bill in full or set up monthly payments throughout the semester. Pay or set up a payment plan via your MyWestern account or by calling, emailing or visiting the Cashier’s Office: 970.943.3003 | cashier@western.edu | Taylor Hall 314