The Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest (5 percent) government loan available to students with exceptional financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  You will begin repayment of this loan to Western nine months after you graduate, withdraw, or cease to be enrolled as a half-time student.

To be eligible for the Federal Perkins Loan, your FAFSA must be complete, including Verification (if applicable), no later than March 1st each year.

Entrance/Exit Loan Counseling Requirement

Federal regulations require recipients of Federal student loans to complete Entrance Loan Counseling.  Perkins loan funds will not be applied to your account until Entrance Counseling is complete.

Federal regulations also require borrowers to complete Exit Loan Counseling upon leaving Western.

For more information concerning these, and other, requirements for Federal Perkins Loans, please contact the Western Business Office at (816) 271-4324.

Cancellation & Deferment Provisions

Repayment of Federal Perkins Loans may be postponed or cancelled under certain circumstances, such as economic hardship or employment in a specific field.  Cancellation and Deferment Provisions have specific regulations that must be followed. Borrowers should continue to make loan payments until the deferment or cancellation request has been approved.

For information concerning how to apply for cancellation or deferment of your Federal Perkins Loan, please contact the Western Business Office at (816) 271-4324.

Partial listing of Deferment/Cancelation Provisions for Federal Perkins Loan Borrowers:

• Enrolled at least half-time as a regular student at an institution of higher education.
• Enrolled in ED-approved Rehabilitation training for disabled individuals.
• Seeking but unable to find full-time employment.
• Economic hardship.
• Peace Corps volunteer.
• Total and Permanent Disability.
• Death of Borrower.
• Full-time law enforcement or corrections officer.
• Full-time employment in a Head Start Program.
• Full-time special education teacher in a public or nonprofit elementary or secondary school system.
• Full-time teacher in a designated low-income public or nonprofit elementary or secondary school system.
• Full-time nurse or medical technician providing health care services.
• Service in U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard in a designated area of hostilities or an area that qualifies for hazardous duty pay.

The Federal Perkins Loan Program is serviced by the Western Business Office and University Accounting Service, LLC. All inquiries dealing with the collection of Federal Perkins Loan repayment, default, or deferment and cancellation request should be directed to the Western Business Office.

Eligibility for Federal Aid / Return of Title IV Funds / Satisfactory Academic Progress