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
DIRECT COSTS FOR FALL/SPRING 2019-20 MERIT AID IN-STATE
OUT-OF-STATE
TUITION
$6,624*
$18,096
DOUBLE ROOM
$5,030
$5,030
BOARD (15-MEAL/ WEEK PLAN)
$4,674
$4,674
REQUIRED FEES
$3,812.84
$3,812.84
OPTIONAL FEES
$250
$250
TOTAL ANNUAL COST
$20,390.84
$31,862.84
*Reflects that the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend has been applied. Register for COF at cof.college-assist.org. Visit western.edu/finaid for more information.
western.edu/cost
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS: Immediately upon acceptance at Western, each student is considered for a merit scholarship based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Merit aid cannot be combined with tuition discount programs. To determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship, visit western.edu/cost.
DISCOUNT PROGRAMS Under the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and Central Plains (CP) programs, students from certain states pay just 150 percent of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2019-20, the discount is valued at $4,335. Students from neighboring states who demonstrate financial need are considered for an extra $1,000 per year grant, assessed annually.
TYPES OF AID western.edu/aid
SCHOLARSHIPS: Money awarded based on academic or other achievements (e.g., merit, program based, athletic).
GRANTS: Aid based on financial need that doesn’t need to be repaid.
FEDERAL/STATE WORK-STUDY: Provides funding for students with financial need, allowing them to work on campus.
LOANS: Borrowed money that must be paid back. A Subsidized
Loan is based on financial need; the federal government pays the interest while the borrower is in school. Interest on an Unsubsidized Loan is the student’s responsibility from day one. A Parent PLUS Loan is an additional option that requires a separate application and credit check.
= NEIGHBORING STATES = WUE = CP
FAFSA: BEST PRACTICES Submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) kicks off the financial aid process. Consider the following tips to make the application process go more smoothly.
COMPLETE BY PRIORITY DEADLINE
CORRECTLY CLAIM DEPENDENCY
Most federal aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Submitting by March 1, 2020, ensures your best award package.
Most students under 24 are considered dependent and require their parents’ financial info.
VISIT PROPER WEBSITE
HAVE TAX INFO
Be suspicious of websites that require payment. You never have to pay to complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov.
To complete FAFSA in one sitting, have student and parent tax info at your elbow. Use the IRS Data Retrieval tool for ease in transferring financials.
CREATE FSA IDS–PLURAL Students and parents must create separate FSA IDs. Don’t share these FSA IDs with anyone.
PROPERLY SIGN AND SUBMIT Your FAFSA will be rejected unless both student and parent sign then submit.