TOP It Off Financial Assistance Program Summary

Effective Fall 2007

In keeping with national trends, Western Kentucky University is announcing a new program that will provide financial assistance to high need students that are unable to meet the costs of tuition, room, and board through other sources of financial assistance. The TOP It Off program is designed to cover the shortfall of such expenses in an effort to lessen the need for student borrowing and to increase accessibility to higher education among Kentuckians.

The TOP It Off program will target students that matriculate in the Fall 2007 semester and also meet the following criteria:

• First-time freshmen
• Kentucky resident
• Full-time enrollment
• FAFSA receipt date <=04/01/07
• High school GPA >=2.5
• ACT/SAT >=20/940
• Pell eligible
• Estimated Family Contribution 0-3000

Award amounts are based on the shortfall of the student’s estimated full-time tuition charges; housing charges up to $1500 per semester (if living on campus); and meal plan charges up to $750 per semester (if living on campus) after considering all other aid that has been awarded. Students that do not live on campus will be awarded any shortfall amount for their tuition charges only (after considering all other aid that has been awarded).

Initially the awards will be based on anticipated enrollment and housing plans as indicated by the student on the FAFSA. Awards may be modified due to adjustments in tuition charges, housing charges, meal plan charges, or the addition of other financial aid awards or resources.

As a requirement of the TOP It Off program, students will be expected to engage in 15 hours of community service activities per semester. Recipients with a high school grade-point average of less than 3.0 will be required to attend mandatory advising sessions. To further enhance the learning experience, recipients of this award are encouraged to enroll in the University Experience course during their freshmen year.

The TOP It Off award will be renewable if the student maintains eligibility as indicated above and also maintains a 2.5 GPA at the end of their first academic year and a 3.0 GPA at the end of their second academic year (and thereafter). The award will be renewable for eight semesters in a five-year period.

Students will be notified of the award as part of the Financial Aid Award Notification process (typically via email). A follow-up letter (along with a brochure) will be sent to each recipient outlining the academic advising and community service component of the Top It Off award.