Financial Assistance

Department of Student Financial Assistance
Potter Hall Office 317, Phone: (270) 745-2755
www.wku.edu/finaid

Cindy Burnette, Director

The Department of Student Financial Assistance is dedicated to assisting academically capable students with sufficient resources to enable them to meet their educational costs. The major purpose of financial aid is to supplement, rather than to replace, family and student resources.

The Financial Aid Programs listed below require the student to make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.

Application Priority Filing Dates
Fall Semester - April 1
Winter Session - October 1
Spring Semester - October 25
Summer Session - March 20

Summer Applications
Limited funds are available for winter and summer session(s) in the areas of grants, loans and student employment. Applications for winter and summer aid are available on-line at www.wku.edu/Info/FinAid/faforms.htm.

Payments of Awards
Awards are normally made on an academic year basis conditional with fulfilling academic and registration requirements. Financial aid is disbursed at the beginning of each semester and is applied directly to tuition and fees, housing, meal plans and any other applicable charges. Awarded amounts in excess of institutional charges are made payable by check (residual check) to the student. Student employment checks are distributed every two weeks.

All first-time Stafford Loan recipients are required to complete an entrance counseling session prior to their loan funds being disbursed and an exit counseling session prior to graduation or withdrawing from the University. This can be done online at www.kheaa.com.

Renewal Procedures
Financial aid awards are calculated on current financial information. Therefore, a new financial aid form must be filed each year. Priority consideration is given to applicants who file by April 1. Students may apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students will need a PIN in order to sign their FAFSA electronically; apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.

Academic Eligibility and Financial Aid
In the event that satisfactory progress is not maintained, financial aid funds must be withheld. If satisfactory progress has been re-established after successful completion of a semester or summer term, the student may be considered for re-evaluation for financial aid. A student on academic probation is not making satisfactory academic progress.

Other Assistance Programs

Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)
KEES is a program administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. Kentucky high school students who earn 2.5 or better while in high school can qualify for KEES scholarship while enrolled in an institution of higher education. Students can retain this scholarship for 8 semesters while in college by maintaining the required GPA.  Students entering for the first time during the 2009-10 academic year will be subject to the new “on track to graduate” guidelines.

Dependents of War Veterans
Dependents and spouses of Kentucky Disabled War Veterans may be eligible for a Waiver of Tuition through the provisions of KRS 164:505-515 in any state-supported institution of higher education. Eligibility for the Waiver of Tuition may be determined by making application to the Department of Military Affairs, Kentucky Center for Veteran Affairs, 545 South Third St., Louisville, KY 40202. Application forms may be obtained from the Department of Student Financial Assistance.

Veterans Educational Benefits
Both the Kentucky State Approving Agency and the U.S. Department Veteran’s Affairs (VA) for veteran’s educational training have certified Western Kentucky University. There are several categories of educational benefits for eligible students including Montgomery GI Bill, Chapter 30 (active duty), Chapter 33 (Post 9/11), Chapter 1606 and 1607 (reserve/national guard), Chapter 35 (Dependents Educational Assistance Program), Chapter 32 (Veteran’s Educational Assistance Program) and Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation). Questions regarding eligibility for Chapters 30, 32, 33, 35, 1606 and 1607 educational benefits should be directed in writing to the VA Regional Office, PO Box 66830, St Louis, MO 63166-6830 or by calling toll free (888) 442-4551. Chapter 31 questions should be directed to VA Regional Office, 545 South Third St, Louisville, KY 40202-1838, or you may telephone (502) 582-5836. Contact the Veteran’s Coordinator at (270) 745-3732, for assistance in using/applying for these benefits at Western Kentucky University.

Vocational Rehabilitation
Students with a physical disability may qualify for grants-in-aid providing a considerable part of college-related costs. Students should apply for this aid through the Kentucky Vocational Rehabilitation Office nearest the student’s hometown.

Academic Scholarships

Beginning Freshmen
Academic scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement (GPA, rank in class and ACT/SAT scores), participation in extracurricular activities and leadership. Scholarships also are available through a few academic departments. Leadership scholarships are awarded based on demonstrated leadership activities in high school and leadership potential. Applications may be obtained from a high school counselor or from the Department of Student Financial Assistance. To receive full consideration by the scholarship committee, applications must be postmarked by January 15.

Community College/KCTCS Transfers
Transfers who have completed two years at a community or junior college may apply for a Community/Junior College scholarship awarded on the basis of college academic achievement. In addition, transfer students from KCTCS with Associates Degree may apply for a transfer scholarship. Applications may be obtained from a community college counselor or from the Department of Student Financial Assistance. To receive full consideration by the scholarship committee, applications must be postmarked by April 1. Students transferring from another four-year institution are not eligible for this award.

Returning Students
Students enrolled full-time at WKU may apply for an academic scholarship for the next academic year by completing the application between February 1 and April 15. The primary criterion is college academic achievement. Scholarships also are available through a few academic departments.

For additional information or application, write or call the Department of Student Financial Assistance.

College Heights Foundation Scholarships
The College Heights Foundation exists for the purpose of aiding qualified needy and/or especially outstanding students at Western Kentucky University. A major area of such help consists of emergency loans and scholarship awards. College Heights Foundation scholarships are awarded through the Scholarship Committee of the University.

The College Heights Foundation was chartered in 1923. It is governed by a Board of Directors made up of 12 prominent business and professional leaders. Mr. Alex Downing is President of the College Heights Foundation. All gifts specified for the Memorial Fund of the College Heights Foundation are held in perpetuity, with all earnings being used in the student assistance program.

Gifts to the College Heights Foundation are tax deductible under prevailing IRS regulations.

ROTC Scholarships
Students who are considering careers in the Army may be eligible to compete for two- and three-year scholarships offered through the Department of Military Science and Leadership. These scholarships may pay for the following:

• Tuition and fees
• Books - $1200 a year
• Monthly stipend - $300 to $500 (increases as academic level increases)
• Room and board scholarship for those who maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher

Those considering the Army National Guard or Army Reserves may be eligible for our Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), which consists of:

• Tuition (Full)
• Montgomery GI Bill
• SMP Kicker ($350)
• Drill Pay (E5)
• ROTC Stipend

For further information contact the Department of Military Science and Leadership in Diddle Arena or call 270-745-6054.

Senior Citizen Scholarships
Kentucky residents who are 65 years of age or older on or before the day the semester begins are granted Senior Citizen Scholarships for any college class in which they enroll for credit or to audit.

Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
Residents of Macon, Robertson and Sumner counties in Tennessee are eligible for a scholarship that pays the difference between the Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) rate and the in-state rate by virtue of a reciprocity agreement between Kentucky and Tennessee. This agreement is through the states’ legislatures and is subject to change or cancellation by those bodies. For additional information, students may contact the Office of Admissions.

National/International Academic Scholarship
Any nonresident beginning freshmen with a 3.4 unweighted GPA and a 24 ACT/1090 SAT (or transfer with 24 earned hours and 3.4 GPA) are eligible for an academic scholarship that will pay the difference between the out-of-state rate and approximately 1.25 times the in-state rate.

Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)
Western Kentucky University offers a Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) to qualified students who are residents of specific counties in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. This program is open to students from the following counties: in Illinois – Alexander, Edwards, Gallatin, Hardin, Madison, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, St. Clair, Wabash and White; in Indiana - Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Dubois, Floyd, Gibson, Harrison, Jefferson, Marion, Ohio, Perry, Pike, Posey, Ripley, Scott, Spencer, Switzerland, Vanderburgh and Warrick; in Missouri – St. Charles and St. Louis (including the city of St. Louis); in Ohio – Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Montgomery and Warren; in Tennessee – Clay, Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Maury, Montgomery, Pickett, Rutherford, Shelby, Smith, Stewart, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson.

Tuition and fees will be assessed at the resident undergraduate rate plus an additional amount (approximately 25%) per semester. TIP values can vary in amount for undergraduate students, depending on the number of credit hours enrolled.

There is no application for the Tuition Incentive Program. Eligibility for all undergraduates is determined by the Office of Admissions.

Tuition Incentive Program Scholarship (TIPS)
Students with superior achievement will receive a “Tuition Incentive Program Scholarship” (TIPS) to pay the difference between resident undergraduate tuition and the Tuition Incentive Program.

The scholarship will automatically be awarded to beginning freshmen with an unweighted cumulative grade point average of 3.5 AND 25 composite ACT score (or 1130 [math + verbal] SAT total).

Transfer students from an accredited college or university must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale with at least 24 semester hours attempted.

Students enrolled with a “Tuition Incentive Program Scholarship” may qualify for each subsequent academic year with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Students not receiving a “Tuition Incentive Program Scholarship” as a new student cannot receive the scholarship at a later date.

If the “Tuition Incentive Program Scholarship” is cancelled because a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not maintained, it will not be re-instated later.

Alumni Grant Program
An Alumni Grant is available to any qualified nonresident student whose parent, stepparent or grandparent holds an associate, baccalaureate, masters or specialist degree or has completed a certificate program from Western Kentucky University.

Tuition for qualified students will be assessed at approximately 1.25 times the corresponding full-time resident rate for undergraduate students attending the main campus.

Alumni Grant recipients are required to live on campus according to current University Housing policy or get an approved exemption from the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

For qualifications, requirements and procedures, students should contact the Office of Admissions.