Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Helpful Links

Federal

America Reads

At more than 1100 colleges and universities, students earn financial aid by tutoring children and families in reading. WMU supports and participates in The America Reads Challenge by placing work-study eligible student tutors in community schools where they help elementary school children improve their reading skills. Learn more The America Reads Challenge at their website.

Budget Calculator

Estimate your income and expenses and determine your financial need for the school year using this interactive budget calculator

Department of Education

Visit the United States Department of Education's website to learn how the the federal government is promoting educational excellence for you and all students across the USA. This site offers extensive information on preparing for college, applying for aid to pay for it, and other educationally related subjects.

Department of Education Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Use the PIN website to apply for a PIN, request a copy of your established PIN, change your PIN, or update your PIN information.  Also learn how you can use your PIN to access your federal financial aid information on the web and "sign" your federal financial aid forms electronically.

Direct Loan Consolidation

Visit the Federal Direct Loan Consolidation web site to find out about locking in an interest rate and consolidating all of your federal educational loans in order to make only one loan payment.

Direct Loan Electronic Master Promissory Note (EMPN)

Want to know more about the EMPN? This web site is your source for information about the EMPN for students and parents. Complete your EMPN online and save time and trips to the Financial Aid Office!

Direct Loan Entrance/Exit Counseling

www.dlssonline.com/exitcounseling/ecec-main.asp links you to Entrance Counseling for first-time direct loan borrowers at WMU and Exit Counseling for direct loan borrowers who are no longer enrolled at least half time due to graduation or dropping out of school.

Direct Loan Repayment Calculator

www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DirectLoan/RepayCalc/dlindex.html

Direct Loan Servicing Online

Direct loan borrowers can use this direct loan website to access and update your account information, enroll in electronic services and make online payments.

Federal Tax Benefits

Learn about educationally related tax benefits in IRS Publication 970.  For links to the IRS forms, also visit IRS Web Site for students.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The FAFSA opens the door to the financial aid process for federal financial aid, need-based state programs, WMU programs and even some need-based scholarships.  Use the Pre-Application Worksheet to assist you in filling out your FAFSA application on the Web.

Government Contacts

If you have questions, concerns, or you want to write your Federal congressional or senate representative, please refer to: www.congress.org/

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

Use the NSLDS web site and your PIN to make inquiries about your Title IV loans and/or Pell grants. The site displays information on your loan and/or grant amounts, outstanding balances, loan statuses, and disbursements. The Glossary of Terms contains information on terms relating to loans and grants.

Nursing Educational Loan Repayment Program (NELRP)

The NELRP offers registered nurses substantial assistance to repay educational loans in exchange for service in eligible facilities located in areas experiencing a shortage of nurses.

Scholarship Help

The goal of scholarshiphelp.org is to educate students about scholarship access and the necessary requirements for achieving maximum financial aid. In addition, they provide our information free of charge to help students avoid scholarship scam artists and misleading authors who promise "secrets" to what is essentially publicly available information. Contact Email: info@scholarshiphelp.org

Selective Service

Males between 18 - 25 years of age, learn how to register with the Selective Service to be eligible for financial aid.

Social Security Administration (SSA)

Visit the SSA web site to learn how to apply for a valid social security number or how to correct your name and/or birth date information with the SSA

Student Financial Aid Ombudsman

The Student Financial Aid Ombudsman works with student loan borrowers to informally resolve loan disputes and problems. Assistance is available for Federal Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loans and Federal Perkins Loans.

Student Gateway

Also supported by the United States Department of Education, the Student Gateway to US Government is a tremendous resource for students. The site provides additional links, and information about topics such as: planning and paying for higher education, career development, community and military service, travel tips, other government agencies and departments.

Student Portal

If you are a student attending elementary school, junior/high school, college or graduate school, the Student Portal is the "one stop shopping link" to education beyond high school. If you are a returning student, international student, parent or counselor, this web site also has information for you.

Veterans Affairs

Sponsored by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, this website describes the education benefits available through the Veterans Administration.

State

Government Contacts

If you have questions, concerns, or you want to write to your State congressional or senate representative, please refer to: congress.org.

Michigan Competitive Scholarship

A scholarship program based on both financial need and merit and is available for use at Michigan public and private postsecondary colleges.

Michigan Education Savings Program

The Michigan Education Savings Program provides families a smart, flexible way to save for their children's future.

Michigan Education Trust (MET)

MET is a prepaid program which allows parents, grandparents, businesses and others to pre-purchase undergraduate tuition for a child residing in Michigan at any Michigan public university or college, including 28 public community colleges.

Michigan Promise Scholarship (formerly the Michigan Merit Award)

A merit-based scholarship awarded to students who perform well on the MEAP test or the Michigan Merit Exam (MME).

Michigan National Guard Grant

Michigan National Guard Grants for Michigan National Guard members.

Michigan Nursing Scholarship

The Michigan Nursing Scholarship is a non-need based award available to Michigan residents enrolled at least half time at an eligible institution in an eligible nursing program.

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

Robert Byrd Scholarship

A federally funded program administered by the state which provides a $1500 scholarship to high school graduating seniors.

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.

Other

Adventures in Education

Adventures in Education is a site to help students with college and career planning that includes a wealth of information on managing money.

College Board

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.

College Bound

Would you like to surf a site that provides general information on an amazing variety of student centered topics? Here's a site that includes information from average undergraduate tuition rates, to financial aid, college athletics and career prep. The College Bound Student Alliance maintains this easy to navigate website that includes sections catering individually to college bound students, their parents, teachers and counselors.Among the highlights is an "academic calendar" which provides a "to-do" list for college bound high school juniors and seniors, and an extensive list of links related to college athletics.

College Toolkit

College Toolkit is one-stop resource for life after high school allowing students to find and apply for scholarships, search through a database of more than 4,000 colleges, and explore 900 careers all in one location. It is one of the most comprehensive sites for life after high school... and everything on the site is free for students to use!

Dollars for Scholars

Check out Dollars for Scholars to 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.

Financial Aid Organization

www.finaid.org a comprehensive collection of information about student financial aid, including calculators

Scholarship Information/Searches

  • Scholarship Scams
  • American Indian College Fund
    Nonprofit fund supporting more than 6,000 students with needed scholarship, endowment and operating monies.
  • 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.
  • Black Excel
    Information for African-American students about college finances.
  • 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.
  • FASTWEB
    Free search for scholarships, fellowships and grants.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Hispanic College Fund
    Target Hispanic students planning degrees in business or technology related fields and demonstrate academic excellence and leadership.
  • 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.
  • Minority Scholarship Resources Through Financial Aid
  • 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.
  • Scholaraid
    Free search for scholarships, fellowships and grants.
  • Scholarships.com
    Free search for scholarships, fellowships and grants.
  • 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

International Students

Listed below are lenders who may approve a loan for international students if the student obtains a cosigner that is a U.S. Citizen:

Other Funding Sources for International Students  

Check out the following websites to learn about possible sources of funding for International Students:

 

Student Financial Aid Office
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 5337 USA
(269) 387-6000 | (269) 387-6989 Fax
finaid-info@wmich.edu