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Undergraduate Student Scholarships

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UNIVERSITY

University Scholarship Guide

Athletic Scholarships

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics provides scholarships in nineteen sports. The head coach of each sport may offer a full scholarship that covers tuition and enrollment fee, room, board, and a book loan. Partial scholarships cover a portion of one or more of these expenses. All scholarships are awarded for a period of one year. Scholarships are reviewed and renewed annually based upon Athletic Department, WMU and NCAA policies. Please do not hesitate to contact Jeff Stone, Associate Athletic Director, at (269) 387-3082 with any questions regarding your athletics grant-in-aid.

Renewal of athletic scholarships

Notification of renewals and non-renewals will be sent to athletic scholarship recipients no later than July 1 prior to the academic year in which it is to be effective.

Applying for financial aid other than athletic scholarships

The Office of Student Financial Aid offers a variety of grant, work, and loan programs to give financial options to all families, no matter what their need or resources. You should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for both need-and non-need-based aid at WMU. This free form is used nationwide to determine aid eligibility by collecting income, asset, and demographic data about the student and family. To find out more about the types of financial aid available visit the awarding section of this site.

Notification of aid eligibility

WMU will contact you regarding your aid status in the form of a financial aid award notification as soon as possible after the FAFSA record is received at WMU. If you receive any outside awards, your financial aid package will be revised accordingly when the Office of Student Financial Aid is notified of the award. If you have been offered an Athletic Grant-in-Aid, the first notification you receive may not include your Grant-in-Aid. When you have been determined to be eligible for your Athletic Grant-in-Aid according to applicable NCAA, conference and institutional regulations, your financial aid package will be revised accordingly to include your Athletic Grant-in-Aid (or vice versa).

NCAA Special Assistance Fund

A special fund has been established by the NCAA to meet the student-athletes' needs of an emergency and essential nature for which financial assistance is not available.

Pell-eligible student-athletes (except nonqualifiers in their initial year of residence), student-athletes who have demonstrated financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid, or a foreign student-athlete who has been certified by the Office of International Student Services as having financial need are eligible to apply for these funds.

Following are permissible uses of the fund:

• Cost of clothing, travel and other essential expenses up to $500 per year,
• Cost of expendable academic course supplies (e.g. notebooks and pens),
• Medical and dental costs not covered by another insurance program
• Costs associated with student-athlete or family emergencies

For additional information, please contact the Athletic Academic Services Office or the Athletic Compliance Office in Read Fieldhouse.

Student-athlete employment

NCAA legislation requires that Western Michigan University monitor employment earnings during the academic year for all student-athletes.

All student-athletes who are interested in obtaining employment, or who are currently employed during the academic year, should contact Paul DeVries in the Athletic Compliance Office.

For answers to any questions you may have regarding NCAA limits on employment monies earned during the academic year, please contact Mr. DeVries. Note that there are no NCAA limits placed on employment that occurs during a vacation period.

Federal

• Nursing Loan Repayment Program

State

Websites for State-Related Scholarships

• State of Michigan
• Michigan Merit A merit-based scholarship awarded to students who perform well on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) tests.
• Michigan Education Trust (MET) A prepaid tuition program which allows parents, grandparents, businesses and others to prepurchase undergraduate tuition for a child residing in Michigan at any Michigan public university or college, including 28 public community colleges.
• Michigan Competitive A scholarship program based on both financial need and merit and is available for use at Michigan public and private postsecondary colleges.
• Robert Byrd A federally funded program administered by the state which provides a $1500 scholarship to high school graduating seniors.
• Police Officer's and Fire Fighter's Survivor Tuition Act This program provides a waiver of tuition at public community colleges and state universities for the surviving spouse and children (under age 21) of Michigan police and fire fighters killed in the line of duty.
• Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) For students at WMU who were receiving TIP at a Michigan community college and are transferring to WMU with 56 transfer credits or an Associates Degree.
• MI-Student Aid Scholarships based on merit for Michigan students.
• Michigan National Guard Grants for the Michigan National Guard members.

Private

• Scholarship Scams

Websites for Private Scholarships

• General

• Minority

• Foundations

• Other

General

 

• FASTWEB Free scholarships, fellowships and grants search.
• Fastaid Free scholarships, fellowships and grants search..
• Dollars for Scholars find general information about planning for college, scheduling and taking College Board aptitude tests, college search tips, applying to colleges, and paying for your college education. Also provides Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) estimator.

Minority

• Black Excel Information for African-American students about college finances.
• Minority Scholarship Resources Through Financial Aid
• Gates Millennium Scholars Financial need grants funded by the Culture Fund awarded to undergraduate college students in all discipline areas and a graduate education for those students pursuing studies in mathematics, science, engineering, education, or library science.
• United Negro College Fund A charitable organization that offers scholarships and fellowships for African-American students and faculty who attend colleges and universities in the United States.
• American Indian College Fund Nonprofit fund supporting more than 6,000 students with needed scholarship, endowment and operating monies.
• Hispanic College Fund Target Hispanic students planning degrees in business or technology related fields and demonstrate academic excellence and leadership.
• Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Federal Square Office Plaza, 2901.5 I-75 Business Spur, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, Phone: (906) 632-6809, Fax: (906) 632-0689.

Foundations

• Battle Creek Community Foundation The Foundation annually awards $2.5 million in scholarships and grants to high school students and adults from Calhoun County. Click into the foundation website for general information, description and application.
• Grand Rapids Community Foundation The Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1922 for the benefit of the surrounding communities. Scholarship available to Kent County residents (several also available to Ottawa County residents). See web site for a list including a brief description, eligibility and how to apply for each scholarship.
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation helps young people of exceptional promise reach their full potential through education.
• Kalamazoo Community Foundation Kalamazoo County residents or attends school within K/RESA. ( Also includes several for Calhoun, Allegan, St. Joseph or Van Buren County residents.) For scholarship list, criteria, award and deadlines visit the Kalamazoo Community Foundation Scholarship web site.

Other

• National Merit Scholarship Program Privately funded program begun in 1955. High school students begin by taking the PSAT/NMSQT no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12. Visit the National Merit website for further information.
• Families of Freedom Students who lost a family member from the terrorist attack on September 11 and needs financial assistance to continue their education. For questions and applications contact (877) 862-0136 or email freedom@csfa.org.