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West Chester University

West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-1000



Financial Aid

Location: Kershner Student Service Center, 25 University Avenue
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm
Phone: 610-436-2627

The financial aid program at West Chester University provides financial assistance and counseling to students who can benefit from further education, but who cannot obtain it without such help. Financial aid consists of gift aid in the form of grants and scholarships, and self-help aid in the form of part-time employment, and/or loans. Although students and their families are primarily responsible for meeting educational expenses, financial aid can provide supplemental help for those who qualify.

Students should consult the Undergraduate Catalog, the WCU Beb site, and listings in the Office of Financial Aid for the availability of scholarships. National and international scholarship information can be accessed through the Internet and publications available in the F.H. Green Library.

Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) in a degree program and must be making satisfactory academic progress in order to receive financial aid for most federal programs. The "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FAFSA) must be filed and processed by March 1 for priority consideration for all forms of federal aid. Part-time employment in the Federal Work-Study Program is available to those who qualify; applications are due in the Office of Financial Aid no later than March 1, and students must also meet the FAFSA deadline.

Specific information about applying for federal and state aid programs is available in the Office of Financial Aid. Counselors are also available to discuss financial aid concerns with students and parents.

Student Consumer Rights and Responsibilities

You have the right to ask a school:

  1. The names of its accrediting organizations.
  2. About its programs; instructional, laboratory, and other physical facilities; and faculty.
  3. What the cost of attending is and what its policies are on refunds to students who drop out.
  4. What financial assistance is available, including information on all federal, state, local, private, and institutional financial aid programs.
  5. What the procedures and deadlines are for submitting applications for each available financial aid program.
  6. What criteria it uses to select financial aid recipients.
  7. How it determines your financial need. This process includes how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, travel, books and supplies, personal and miscellaneous expenses, etc. are considered in your budget. It also includes what resources (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, your assets, etc.) are considered in the calculation of your need.
  8. If you have a loan, what the interest rate is, the total amount that must be repaid, the length of time you have to repay the loan, when payments are to begin, and any cancellation and deferment provisions that apply.
  9. If you are offered a work study job, what kind of job it is, what hours you must work, what your duties will be, what the rate of pay will be, and how and when you will be paid.
  10. To reconsider your aid package, if you believe a mistake has been made.
  11. How the school determines whether you are making satisfactory academic progress, and what happens if you are not.
  12. What special facilities and services are available to the disabled.

You have the responsibility to:

  1. Review and consider all information about a school's program before you enroll.
  2. Pay special attention to your application for student financial aid, complete it accurately, and submit it on time to the right place. Errors can delay your receipt of financial aid.
  3. Provide all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the Office of Financial Aid or the agency to which you submitted your application.
  4. Read and understand all forms that you are asked to sign and keep copies of them.
  5. Accept responsibility for the promissory note and all other agreements that you sign.
  6. If you have a loan, notify the lender of changes in your name, address, or enrollment status.
  7. Perform in a satisfactory manner the work that is agreed upon in accepting a college work study job.
  8. Know and comply with the deadlines for application for aid.
  9. Know and comply with your school's refund procedures.
  10. Attend an entrance interview if you are borrowing from the Federal Perkins or Federal Stafford Loan programs for the first time.

PROGRAMS WHO MAY APPLY? HOW MUCH MAY I RECEIVE? ON WHAT ARE THE AWARDS BASED? HOW DO I APPLY?
Pennsylvania State Grants (PHEAA) Any undergraduate degree or certificate student who is enrolled at least half-time (six credits) and has been a Pennsylvania resident for at least 12 months prior to the date of application. Academic degree or certificate program must be at least two years in length. Grants may range from $500 to $3,700, per year, for a total of eight full-time or 16 part-time semesters. Grants are determined on the basis of financial need. Free Application for Federal Student Aid available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Direct Loan Any student who has been accepted and/or enrolled, making satisfactory academic progress in an approved institution. Annual loan limits are $5,500 for first-year students, $6,500 for second-year students, and $7,500 per undergraduate year after that, not to exceed a base of $31,000. Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 or the school's cost of attendance per year. Interest is fixed at 6.80%. Repayment begins 6 months after enrollment ceases or student drops below half-time status. Student must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid online at www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
Federal Pell Grant Any undergraduate degree student who does not already possess a baccalaureate degree. Grants range from $575 up to $5,550 per year in 2012-2013. Grants are determined on the basis of financial need. Student must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) Any undergraduate degree student. Grants range from $200 to $800 at West Chester University per year. Grants are determined by the financial aid officer on the basis of financial need. Student must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid online at www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Priority deadline: March 1.
Federal Perkins Loan Any degree student. Up to $5,500 per year at West Chester University. Loans are determined by the Office of Financial Aid on the basis of financial need. Interest is 5%. Repayment begins nine months after at least half-time enrollment ceases. Student must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Priority deadline: March 1.
Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) Any degree student. The amount of the award varies. Work-Study grants are assigned by the school or college financial aid officer on the basis of financial need. Student must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and Student Employment Application. Priority deadline: March 1.
Institutional Scholarships Any student attending or eligible for enrollment at the school, college, or university. Each scholarship has different criteria. The amount of the award varies; contact the Office of Financial Aid. Institutional awards are determined on the basis of academic and scholarship achievements as well as need. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at West Chester University.
Veteran's Benefits Veterans and dependents of deceased or disabled veterans. The amount of the award varies. According to Veterans' Administration Guidelines. Contact the Veteran's Office located in the Office of Financial Aid.
Health Professions/Nursing Loans Any degree student enrolled in the field of nursing and certain other health professions. Awards may range up to $2,000 per year. Awards are determined on the basis of financial need. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at West Chester University.
Private Education Loans Varies depending on the type of loan. Usually the cost of attendance minus other financial aid. Varies depending on the type of loan and lender; credit evaluation always required. Obtain information from the lender of your choice.