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Frequently asked questions

Q. What is the Western Edge™?

A. It’s a strategic plan that promotes student success. In other words, it is an umbrella term that describes Western’s commitment to building a culture that puts students first.

Part of putting students first is a commitment to helping students save money. Yet, no matter how much we contain costs and keep tuition affordable, nothing will save money for students and their families as much as earning a degree quickly. Every semester we can shave off of a student’s time in college is an automatic savings in tuition and living expenses and a chance to be earning money in the work force or headed to graduate school.

Q. What are the major components of the Western Edge™?

A. There are five key components to the Western Edge.

1. Students who maintain a 3.0 or better GPA who earn 30 credits from WMU in their first year on campus will receive a $500 scholarship when they return the following fall to WMU. That financial incentive, coupled with the University’s commitment to keep tuition affordable, can keep students in school.
2. Enhanced academic advising will help mitigate the impact of major changes and move students smoothly and quickly through their degree programs.
3. Graduation compacts will help to ensure courses are available when students need them to prevent delays in completing programs.
4. For students who opt to stay in campus residence halls, room and board costs will remain the same for up to four years.
5. A number of other for-credit opportunities will be offered to help students graduate with the skills and experience they need and will help keep them academically involved and excited about preparing for their future.

Q. Is the Western Edge and the graduation compact the same thing?

A. No. The Western Edge describes Western’s commitment to your success. The graduation compact is one specific component of the Western Edge program.

Q. Do I need to sign-up to receive the benefits of the Western Edge?

A. Overall, the answer is no; you get the benefits of the Western Edge just by being a student at WMU. The only component of the Western Edge that requires students to sign-up is the graduation compact.

Q. So, I can pick and choose which parts of the Western Edge in which I want to participate?

A. Exactly! Some students will want to avail themselves of all the components while others may want to just work to receive theretention scholarship. Still others may be most interested in Western's promise to hold the room and board rate the same for all four years in the residence halls. At WMU, we want you to tailor the benefits of the Western Edge to fit your specific situation. And we realize that no two students are the same.

Q. How will the Western Edge help current students or those not eligible for the incentive?

A. All students at WMU benefit from the Western Edge. Even if a student opts not to sign-up for the graduation compact, he or she will have access to the support system, advising and expanded class session availability that will be used for the Western Edge.  Frequent advising opportunities, online monitoring of progress toward graduation and new for-credit opportunities being considered are good for all students and will help them succeed, even if they choose to do so over a longer period.

Q. Is a plan available for transfer students?

A. Transfer students are eligible for the retention scholarship, just as are new Freshman. Transfer students are encouraged to work with their advisors to craft a graduation compact that fits the remaining requirements necessary to complete their degree.