Section 4: Essential Student Services
Housing Options
The Department of Housing and Residence Life provides a premier living/learning experience that ensures student success. Our residence halls have a variety of living options to accommodate the needs and preferences of our student population. Several of the amenities include the following: cable television, internet, and laundry facilities in each hall. Apartment living is also available to juniors and seniors.
Required Housing Policy
All full-time freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus. Exceptions to this policy include students who:
- are married
- have dependent children
- are 21 years old or older
- are military veterans of 181 continuous days or more
- are commuting from their parents' permanent address (50 mile limit)
- are sophomore fraternity or sorority members who are officers and are required to live in the chapter house
- have special circumstances.
If you believe you qualify for an housing exemption, go here to fill out the required forms.
Student Financial Assistance
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. For information about Filing Your FAFSA, click here.
Financial Aid Department at WKU
Expenses and Fees
The charges you incur at WKU will be placed on your university bill. Tuition should be paid prior to the first day of class. If you fail to pay your bill by the designated due date, a late charge of $100 might be assessed and your class schedule could be cancelled if you fail to make a payment plan.
All students will receive their bill electronically via their WKU email address so it's important to check your email often. You can add multiple email addresses to your billing account via TopNet so others can have access to your statement.
Tuition rates are based on:
- Student Classification (undergraduate or graduate)
- Enrollment Status (full-time or part-time)
- Delivery Mode (Web, On Demand or face-to-face).
You can view current tuition rates on the Billing's website.
Payments
The Office of Student Billings & Account Services manages all student billing for tuition and fees. Their website provides information on payment options, payment plans, expenses, refund schedules and online payments. If you have questions about your bill, you can email billings@wku.edu or call 270-745-6381
Western Kentucky University delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. All refunds and payroll funds are disbursed into the account of your choice. For questions about the Refund Selection process, please contact the Card/Collections Office at 270-745-5551 or email wkudebitcard.questions@wku.edu.
Parking and Transportation
WKU Parking and Transportation Services is committed to providing safe, courteous, and efficient transportation for students, faculty, staff, and the general public to the WKU campus. A variety of transit services are provided for the WKU community. Service is free to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Shuttle services are also available for special university events.
Three fixed day service routes (White Line, Red Line, and Blue Line) move passengers from point to point around campus.
Other services include:
- FREE transit and para-transit services between locations on the main campus, to and from South Campus, and to various off-campus shopping destinations.
- Car-sharing service through Enterprise Car Share allows students to rent vehicles by the hour.
- Airport shuttle service to Nashville (BNA). Service provided by InShuttle.
Since our campus provides so many opportunities to use public transit, you can even leave your car at home!
For rules and regulations regarding parking on campus, click here.
A parking permit is required for all vehicles on campus, including motorcycles. Permits may be purchased at Parking and Transportation Services located at South Campus or ordered online. For more information, call 270-745-2361 or email transportation@wku.edu.
Parking & Transportation Services
Student Handbook
WKU has a Student Handbook that has important policies, procedures, and requirements all Hilltoppers need to know. It also provides an overview of the University, its history and traditions, connects you with helpful resources, and introduces you to the processes, policies and support systems in place at WKU, including:
- Campus Directory
- Campus Map
- Crisis Response & Emergency Communication
- Campus Resources
- Code of Conduct
Click the button below to review this information.
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.