Frequently Used Links

Weekly Tips

Hot News

College Loans: How Much Should Parents Borrow

Parents of college students often wonder just how much they should borrow. The article titled College Loans: How Much Should Parents Borrow? from CBS's Moneywatch.com may help them answer their questions.

Don't Pay for the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is just that—free. The web site for the FAFSA is www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be wary of similar websites that charge a fee for completing the FAFSA.

Contact the Financial Aid Office or Department of Education if you have questions about which FAFSA to complete.

Important Spring Financial Aid Information

  1. Loans will not appear on the January university bill. The bill is sent before loans are applied. The earliest loan funds can be applied to your university account is at the beginning of the semester. You may check your STARS account for the amounts you will receive.
  2. Loan cancellations and revisions may be made through STARS. Please be aware revisions may take up to 10 business days to clear the lender. This may delay your loan disbursement if changes are requested near the start of the semester.
  3. Talent/Athletic awards are credited as soon as notification is received from the department. If your award is not credited, contact the awarding department.
  4. Illinois National Guard and Illinois Veteran grants are credited as soon as the information is provided by ISAC. If your award does not appear on your account, you may contact ISAC, 1-800-899-4722.
  5. The WIU Foundation Office applies outside scholarships to the billing account as they are received.
  6. Academic Promise awards must have a signed acceptance in the Scholarship Office before a credit is placed on your University account.
  7. All 2009-10 Federal Work-Study funds have been awarded.
  8. SMART grants will be credited to your account after the 10th day of class.
  9. Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) require a review of the high school transcript after the 10th day of class.
  10. Applications/Requests for financial aid received after January 5 will be considered in date order after the 10th day of the semester.
  11. Your current financial aid can always be checked on STARS.

Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Application

The 2010-11 Special Education Teacher Waiver application is now available.

Illinois National Guard Application

The 2009-10 Illinois National Guard application is available. On the application, there will be an academic year drop-down box. Please change the year to 2009-10.

2010-11 FAFSA and FAFSA Worksheet

The 2010-11 Free Application for Federal Student Assistance can be completed on or after January 1, 2010. A link to access this application can be found on our Application/FAFSA web page.

To prepare for the 2010-11 aid process, be sure that you have a Department of Education pin number for yourself and your parent, if you are a dependent student. Renewal applicants can use the pin number from this year. First time FAFSA filers may obtain a DE Pin Number at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Click on applying for a pin number.

The FAFSA worksheet is a helpful tool to prepare for completing the application. The worksheet should be available soon. Be sure the Department of Education worksheet is for the 2010-11 program year. The worksheet will be available at the same e-address listed for the pin number.

Summary of Loan Benefits

Summary of Loan Benefits (PDF)

Financial Football

Expand your financial education while playing Financial Football. This link is designed to develop your money skills and is sponsored by the Illinois Treasurer's Office.

Help for Consumers (CashCourse) - Learn how to manage your money

A new money management web link for college students is now available. The link is sponsored by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), a nonprofit, financial planning association. The web site is convenient, easy to use, and highlights items of interest by topic. Check out CashCourse today!

Western Announces 2009-2010 Suggested Lenders and Summary of Loan Benefits*

Last year there were many changes for lenders participating in the Federal Stafford loan program. To provide stability in 2009-10, we are working from last years’ lender list developed from the RFIs(Request for Information) submitted. There is one lone exception, National Education.

We have included National Education based on our experience with them previously and on the quality customer service provided to Western. As you will note, their loan benefits match those of our other suggested lenders. All lender benefits may be compared at the lender benefits section on Hot News and are always subject to change.

As always, borrow no more than you absolutely need. As always, you may select any lender of your choice.

And, now the suggested lenders for 2009-2010 are:

Federal Stafford Loans - Undergraduate Students

Federal Stafford Loans - Graduate Students

Federal PLUS Loans (Parent Loans)

Alternative Loans - No lenders were selected. No suggested lender list will be provided. Rather information will be provided to students on the alternative loan process. Borrowers will make contact with lenders on their own.