Undergraduate Catalog

Financial Assistance

State and federal student loans and grants, as well as scholarships, work-study programs, and campus jobs, are available to help ease the cost of attending college. Seventy-seven percent of WIU students receive some type of financial assistance. Financial assistance is traditionally awarded in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment.

Scholarships

Scholarships at WIU have provided educational opportunities for many students. Through the generosity of alumni, faculty and staff, friends, parents, corporations, and foundations, WIU disburses several million dollars in scholarships each year. Scholarship opportunities exist for all class levels, and most are based on academic achievement. For additional scholarship information, please contact the Office of University Scholarship Activities, Sherman Hall 308, telephone (309) 298-2001, email sc-office@wiu.edu, or wiu.edu/scholarships.

The Department of Military Science (ROTC) has two-, three-, and four-year federal scholarships that pay 100 percent of tuition and fees, or up to $10,000 of room and meal plan, plus $1,200 annually for books and an annual stipend ranging between $4,000 and $5,000. In addition to the federal scholarships, ROTC has 40 Illinois ROTC tuition waivers which cover full tuition and some fees for up to four years. (Additionally, students who transfer from an Illinois Community College to WIU and enroll in ROTC can apply for a tuition waiver that covers full tuition and some fees for four years.) For additional information, please contact the Department of Military Science in Horrabin Hall 103, telephone (309) 298-1161 or wiu.edu/ROTC

Talent Grants and Tuition Waivers are awarded to students based on demonstrated talent in music, art, theatre, dance, and skills such as leadership or academic achievement. Students majoring in Art, Music, or Theatre should contact the appropriate academic department to get information about the availability of talent grants. Awards based on leadership and academic achievement are usually given after students have generated a GPA at WIU, and/or become involved with various campus organizations.

Veterans Benefits: Students who are eligible to receive benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill® are certified by a designated school official. The Illinois Veterans Grant and the Illinois National Guard Grant are administered through the Financial Aid Office. Questions related to such benefits should be directed to the Veterans Resource Center located at 333 North Ward Street, telephone (309) 298-3505. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. 

Athletic Scholarships: Western Illinois University competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Summit League and Missouri Valley Football Conference. Athletic scholarships are highly competitive. Prospective student-athletes interested in scholarship opportunities should contact the respective coaches/recruiting coordinators in their varsity sport of interest.

Grants and Loans

Information about federal and state student grants and loans is available from the Office of Financial Aid, Sherman Hall 127, telephone (309) 298-2446. Financial aid advisors are available to answer questions and to help with the application process. Most grants and loans are awarded on the basis of financial need as determined from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available through the Financial Aid website at wiu.edu/fa. Students are encouraged to apply early since some funds are limited.

Employment

Most students enrolled for at least six semester hours during the academic year can apply for on-campus, regular student employment. Some students can qualify for Federal Work-Study positions based on financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should not work more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session. Information on regular student employment and Federal Work-Study jobs is available online at wiu.edu/studentemployment. For additional information on student employment opportunities, please contact the Student Employment Office, Sherman Hall 121, telephone (309) 298-1996.

Senior Citizen Tuition Waivers

Students accepted for admission who are 65 years of age or older, and who are legal residents of Illinois with an annual combined household income less than the threshold amount provided in Section 4 of the “Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act”, shall be permitted to enroll in regularly scheduled courses, on a credit or noncredit basis, without the payment of tuition and mandatory fees provided that available classroom space exists and tuition-paying students enrolled constitute the minimum number required for the course. This regulation shall not apply to courses offered only on a noncredit basis or to courses designed especially for senior citizens. Please contact Financial Aid, Sherman Hall 127, telephone (309) 298-2446, for further information.