How do I access my award information online?

How do I check the status of my financial aid application online?

How do I view my account statement online?

Current and returning students may access award information online 24 hours a day/7 days a week using My Western (Banner).

Incoming students who have attended a "Big R" registration program, may also view award information using My Western (Banner).

Step by Step Instructions

Current and returning students may check their financial aid status online 24 hours a day/7 days a week using My Western (Banner).

Incoming students who have attended a "Big R" registration program, may also view their financial aid status using My Western (Banner).

Step by Step Instructions

Current and returning students may access account information online 24 hours a day/7 days a week using My Western (Banner).

Incoming students who have attended a "Big R" registration program, may also view award information using My Western (Banner).

Step by Step Instructions

Financial Aid Application Process

You should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st every year. Western's priority deadline is March 1st. Your FAFSA must be complete prior to April 1st to be considered for Access Missouri Program funds.

Western's school code is 002490.

If your parents are divorced or separated:

• You report information about the parent you lived with for the greater amount of time during the 12 months preceding the date you file your FAFSA application.

• If you didn’t live with either parent, or if you lived with each parent an equal amount of time, then use information about the parent who provided the greater amount of financial support during the 12 months prior to the date you file your FAFSA application.

• If you didn’t receive any parental financial support during that time, you must report information about the parent who most recently provided the greater amount of parental support.

Yes, your stepparent’s financial information is required on the FAFSA. This does not mean your stepparent is obligated to give financial assistance to you, but his or her income and assets represent significant information about the family’s financial resources and must be reported.

The federal government has established very strict guidelines to determine whether or not you are required to include your parent(s) financial information when completing the FAFSA.

• Were you born before Jan. 1, 1986?

• Are you married? (Answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.)

• At the beginning of the 2009–10 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate degree program (such as an M.A., M.B.A., M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Ed.D., or graduate certificate, etc.)?

• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training? (If you are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee, are you on active duty for other than state or training purposes?)

• Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?*

• Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010?

• Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2010?

• At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a ward or dependent of the court?

• Has it been decided by a court in your state of legal residence that you are an emancipated minor or that you are in a legal guardianship?

• At any time on or after July 1, 2008, were you determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless, as determined by (a) your high school or district homeless liaison or (b) the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development?

• At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

If you cannot answer "YES" to one or more of these questions, then you are a dependent student and MUST include your parents financial information when completing the FAFSA.

If you are an Independent Student as defined by the FAFSA include:

• yourself, and your spouse (if married), and your children – if you will provide more than half of their support from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 – even if they do not live with you.

• You may include other people if they now live with you, and you provide more than half of their support and you will continue to provide more than half of their support from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

If you are a Dependent Student as defined by the FAFSA, include:

• yourself and your parent(s) (including stepparent) even if you do not live with your parents,

• your parent(s)’ other children, even if they do not live with your parent(s), if (a) your parent(s) will provide more than half of their support from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, or (b) the children would be required to provide parental information when applying for Federal Student Aid, and

• other people if they now live with your parent(s), and your parents provide more than half of their support and will continue to provide more than half of their support from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

If you are an incoming student, you may check the status of your financial aid application by accessing your "One Stop" account.

If you are a continuing student, you may check your status by accessing My Western (Banner).

Be sure to complete any outstanding requirements.

The U.S. Department of Education uses a quality-control method called “verification” to check the accuracy of application data. Many times students are selected for this process at random, however, sometimes students are selected do to missing or inconsistent information provided on the FAFSA.

If you are selected for verification, you should provide all requested documentation to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. By federal regulation, Western cannot award federal financial assistance until all documentation has been received and verified.

Once you have submitted the requested documentation be sure to watch your financial aid status on Western's "One Stop" or on "Goldlink." At times additional information is needed to complete the verification process.

Federal regulations allow financial aid administrators to make professional judgment decisions for students with special or unusual circumstances. 

Contact the Financial Aid Office if you experience:

• Loss or reduction of family income;

• Unusual medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance;

• Death or illness;or

• Other unusual circumstances.

If you would like to be considered for the Golden Griffon Scholarship, you must complete the application requirement available on "One Stop" no later than February 1st.

If you would like to be considered for other Western competitive scholarships, you must complete the General Scholarship application requirements no later than March 1st each year.

If you qualify for a Western automatic scholarship (President's, Provost's, Governors', Deans', Neighboring States, Midwest Student Exchange, or Frontier) you will be notified of this award on your Western acceptance letter. No additional application is required.

Apply for Western Scholarships

As a general rule, Western competitive scholarship winners are determined in late March and recipients are notified around the middle of April.

Western does offer a competitive scholarship for children of alumni. To be considered for the Alumni Family Scholarship, you must complete the General Scholarship application requirements online no later than March 1st.

Apply for Western Scholarships

Sure, once you have achieved the required renewal GPA, Western will reinstate your award. Reinstatement is not automatic. You will need to notify the Financial Aid Office that you have risen above the required GPA. 

I want to move off-campus. Will my scholarships be affected?

You will no longer be eligible for scholarship awards that require on-campus housing (no option to appeal).

In addition,Western scholarships dollars earned in excess of $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester) are intended to assist students with the cost of on-campus housing. Students living off-campus will be limited to a total of $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester) in scholarship dollars from Western. Students requesting housing not offered by the University such as married or family housing may request an exemption from this policy.

As a general rule, your Western scholarship will not be effected during the semester that you withdraw from the class (even if you drop below 12 credit hours). However, you must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credit hours during the academic year to be eligible for renewal the following year.

Qualified scholarships and fellowships are treated as tax-free amounts if all of the following conditions are met:

1. You are a candidate for a degree at an educational institution.

2. Amounts you receive as a scholarship or fellowship are used for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution, or for books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction.

3. The amounts received are not a payment for your services unless required by the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program or the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program.
   

In many cases, scholarship donors will send your funds directly to Western. These funds are then applied to your account balance. 

Checks should be made payable to Missouri Western State University and include the student's name and ID number.

Missouri Western State University

Office of Financial Aid

Eder Hall, Room 103

4525 Downs Drive

St. Joseph, Mo 64507

Western will not consider external scholarships as payment on your account until the funds are received. You will be responsible for your account balance until that time.

In some cases, donors will give scholarship funds directly to you. Keep in mind that federal regulations require you to report these funds to the Financial Aid Office. 

I am eligible for A Plus but it not listed on my award letter. Why?

Your eligibility for A Plus funding is not determined until you meet with an A Plus advisor and register for classes. Once approved, your A Plus award will be calculated and posted within 2 to 3 weeks.

A Plus funding will also not appear on your award letter until your FAFSA file is complete.

Your A Plus award, along with any Pell Grant, FSEOG, ACG, SMART and certain other financial assistance opportunities specifically allocated for payment of tuition and fees, work together to cover the cost of A Plus approved courses.

Example: 

Your Access Missouri Program funds will also be reduced by the value of your A Plus award.

In addition, your A Plus award cannot be used together with many Missouri Western scholarships including Golden Griffon, President's, Provost's, Regents', Dean's, Edith Brown, Dependent Fee Waiver, etc.

In some cases, it is not in your financial best interest to utilize A Plus funds. Don't worry, your Financial Aid Coordinator will ensure that you receive the maximum funding possible.

Western will process and pay your WIA funding when the appropriate paperwork is received from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

ALL questions regarding your funding and the status of your application should be directed to your WIA counselor.

Western will process and pay your award when the appropriate paperwork is received from Vocational Rehabilitation.

ALL questions regarding your funding and the status of your application should be directed to your Voc Rehab counselor.

Go to www.moguard.com/DisplayPage.aspx?PageID=68.  Print the application for assistance and have it signed by your commander. Mail the application, your schedule, your bill and your official transcripts (if applicable) to the address on the application.

You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete and for following up with your commander with any issues. Western will not certify your award until the appropriate paperwork is received from the military.

Your benefits will be applied to your account when Missouri Western receives payment from the military. It can take up to two months from the time your application is approved for payment to be received. APPLY EARLY!

Yes. We suggest that you sign up for the Deferred Payment Plan in the Business Office, or have other arrangements made prior to the beginning of the semester. Payments from the government are not guaranteed until funds are received.

On August 28, 2008, the Missouri Returning Heroes' Education Act (Senate Bill 830) was enacted into law. This law requires Missouri state institutions to offer a reduced tuition rate ($50 per credit hour) to qualified combat duty veterans.

Program Qualifications:

• Service in a combat zone as designated by the U.S. Department of Defense between September 11, 2001 and the present;

• Missouri "home of record" at the time of entry into the military; and

• Discharge from military service under honorable conditions.

Application Procedures:

To determine your eligibility for this program, the following documentation must be submitted to the Missouri Western State University Office of Veterans Affairs (Eder Hall, Room 102):

• A copy of your most recent DD-214 (Chapters 30, 31 and 1607);

• A copy of your active duty orders (Chapter 1607); and

• A copy of your Missouri Driver's license or other proof of U.S. Citizenship.

Qualified recipients must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

Click here for more information

Contact Tracy Sharp in the Registrar’s Office at (816) 271-4228 for assistance with your GI Bill application.

Click here for information about summer financial assistance.

Click here to apply for summer aid.

If you are reported for never attending, or if you stop attending one or more of your classes, Western may be required to return all, or part, of your Federal and State funding leaving you with an outstanding account balance.  

The government requires Western to monitor your academic progress. If you fall below a 2.0 GPA or fail to successfully complete at least 70% of the courses you attempt, you are at risk of losing your eligibility to receive funding.

Click here for more information

If you completely withdraw, Western may be required to return all, or part, of your Federal and State funding leaving you with an outstanding account balance.  

In addition, the government requires Western to monitor your academic progress. If you fall below a 2.0 GPA or fail to successfully complete at least 70% of the courses you attempt, you are at risk of losing your eligibility to receive funding.

Click here for more information

Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (3.0 if pursuing a Master’s degree) and successfully complete 70% of the courses they have attempted to remain eligible for federal financial assistance.  Attempted hours include hours earned, hours transferred in from other schools, hours withdrawn, hours audited, repeated courses, failed courses and pass/fail credit courses.  Successful completion is defined as the absence of failing grades and voluntary or involuntary withdrawals.

Satisfactory academic progress is monitored on a semester basis. Students who fall below the required 2.0 cumulative GPA and/or the 70% completion rate lose eligibility for federal financial assistance the following term. Students may be granted a one semester probationary period upon completion and return of the SAP probationary contract. During this probationary period, students must successfully complete all courses with a grade of C or higher and can not withdraw from or audit any courses. 

Click here for more information

The federal government requires an institution to establish a timeframe in which a student must complete their degree program. Undergraduate students seeking an associate’s degree must complete their program within 93 attempted hours. Students seeking a baccalaureate degree must complete their degree program within 186 attempted hours. Students pursuing a master’s degree must complete their program within 52 attempted hours.

Once an institution is aware that a student cannot complete their degree program within the established timeframe, the student is no longer eligible to receive federal financial assistance. Students approaching the maximum time frame are required to submit a Plan of Study Form to the Financial Aid Office.  Financial assistance will be delayed until this form is reviewed and it is determined that the student can complete their program of study before exceeding the maximum limit.

Financial aid cannot be "transferred" from one school to another. Each institution assesses your need and eligibility based on its own cost of attendance and aid programs.

You will need to add the new institution's school code to your FAFSA application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Western's school code is 002490.

If you have borrowed student loan funds, you may need to complete an in-school deferment form. These forms are available in the Financial Aid Office at your new school.

You may also want to contact the Financial Aid Office at your new school to determine if there are additional requirements that must be satisfied.

By Federal regulation, there are annual limits to the amount you can borrow in both subsidized and unsubsidized loan funds. You may be awarded less than the annual limit if you are receiving other financial assistance that causes you to exceed your Cost of Attendance budget.

In addition to the annual limits, Federal regulations restrict undergraduate borrowers to aggregate limits in both Subsidized and Unsubsidized loan funds.

Click here for more information.

Subsidized Stafford Loans are awarded based on financial need as determined by your FAFSA results. You will not be required to pay interest while you are in school, during your grace period, or during any authorized periods of deferment. The federal government "subsidizes" the interest during these periods.

Subsidized Loan Calculation:

Cost of Attendance (COA)

- Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

- Estimated Financial Aid (EFA)

Subsidized Eligibility

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are not based on need. You will be required to pay interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. You may elect to have the interest accumulate while in school, however, this will result in greater loan indebtedness.

Unsubsidized Loan Calculation:

Cost of Attendance (COA)

- Estimated Financial Aid (EFA)

-Subsidized Loan Eligibility

UnSubsidized Eligibility

 

Student loan funds may be reduced or canceled at any time during the semester if additional funding causes you to exceed your Cost of Attendance budget.

How do I apply for a Stafford student loan?

To apply for a Stafford Loan:

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

2. Accept Stafford loan funds on your award letter borrowing only what you need.

3. If you are a first-time borrower at Western, you must also complete Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note with your lender.

The Federal PLUS Loan Program allows parents, with good credit histories, to borrow money to pay the educational expenses of dependent, undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution. The interest rate on the PLUS Loan is 8.5% percent.  Repayment on the PLUS Loan begins 60 days after the final loan disbursement for the enrollment period in which the funds were borrowed.

The annual limit on a PLUS loan is the student's Cost of Attendance budget minus any other financial assistance received (including Stafford loan funds).

Cost of Attendance (COA)

- Estimated Financial Aid (EFA)

PLUS Loan Eligibility

To apply for a PLUS loan:

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

2. Complete the pre-approval application.
   

If the credit pre-approval is denied, the student may be eligible to borrow additional loan funds under the Stafford Student Loan program.

Private/alternative loans can fill the gap if you receive maximum financial aid, have your expenses under control, and still need money to complete your education.

• Alternative loans are offered by private lenders such as banks and credit unions. There may be eligibility requirements, such as age, school certification, and creditworthiness.

• Interest rates are usually higher—sometimes significantly higher—and can change (up or down) monthly. There will be loan fees that reduce the amount you receive. You also may not be able to defer or cancel repayment in case of financial hardship.

• Before taking out any loan, make sure you can repay it and borrow only the amount you need. Shop around for the best rate and lowest fees.

• Generally, you will repay the loan in monthly installments. To avoid expensive late fees, make your payments on or before the due date.

Warning: Alternative loans are being marketed aggressively to college students. Review the loan terms carefully before you accept them. Be sure you understand what you have to repay and when.

What if I don't pay my college loans back?

When you borrow student loan funds, you have made a commitment to yourself and your future. Be a responsible borrower because loan default has serious consequences.

If you default on your student loans:

• Your entire loan balance (principal and interest) will be due in full immediately.

• Your college records may be placed on hold.

• You'll lose your student loan deferment options.

• You won't be eligible for additional federal student aid.

• Your account may be turned over to a collection agency and you'll have to pay additional charges, late fees and collection costs, all of which become part of your debt.

• Your credit rating will be damaged for several years because defaulted loans are reported to national credit bureaus.

• You'll have difficulty qualifying for credit cards, a car loan, a mortgage, or renting an apartment.

• Your federal and state income tax refunds can be withheld and applied to student loan debt.

• You may have a portion of your wages garnished.

• You may not be able to obtain a professional license or get hired by an employer that performs credit checks.
  

If you have trouble making your student loan payments, contact your loan servicer immediately. You may qualify for some form of payment relief. And it’s important to take action before you incur late fees or your credit is affected! Types of relief include:

• A deferment is a temporary suspension of loan payments for specific situations such as returning to school, unemployment, disability, or military service. You have a right to defer repayment for certain defined periods.

• Forbearance is a temporary postponement or reduction of payments for a period of time, as you and the lender or holder of your loan may agree, because you are experiencing financial difficulty.

• Graduated payment plans provide short-term relief through low, interest-only payments followed by standard principal and interest payments.

• Income-sensitive or income-contingent payment plans offer payment relief with payments that are a specific percentage of your gross monthly income. 
  

Here's some suggestions:

• buy used books instead of new whenever possible;

• use your prepaid meal plan instead of eating out. We recommend purchasing the 21 meal plan option - it's the least expensive;

• take advantage of the free activities sponsored on campus. Go support the Griffs - it's fun and free;

• resist impulse buying. Buy what you need, not what would be nice to have;

• when you shop, use coupons and look for sales;

• know and understand your cell phone plan. Stay within your free minutes;

• brew your own coffee;

• change your spending habits;

• cut up the credit cards;

• borrow only what you need for direct educational expenses and keep track of how much you are borrowing; and

• consider working part-time. There are numerous opportunities on- and off-campus to work 15 to 20 hours per week. Apply for Positions

You may need to consider attending a community college for your first two years and then transferring to a four-year college.  Also, the difference between in- and out-of-state tuition costs can be significant. You may need to choose to attend a college in your state.

A federal consolidation loan may help make payments more manageable for some by combining several federal student loans into one loan with one monthly payment. You need to apply for loan consolidation and choose a standard, extended, graduated or income-sensitive repayment plan. Depending on the amount of your debt. standard and graduated plans have 10 to 30 year repayment options.

The interest rate for Consolidation Loans is a fixed rate for the life of the loan. The interest rate will never exceed 8.25 percent. Your rate will be based on the weighted average of the interest rates on all of the loans that you consolidate.

Loan consolidation can offer you benefits to help manage your debt. You can:

• Make lower monthly payments by increasing the repayment period (this will increase the total amount you repay over the life of your loan).

• Make a single loan payment on one bill to one lender.

What is the downside to consolidation?

Although consolidation can help many students manage their monthly payments, there are some cases when consolidation may not be right for you.

• You may lose certain benefits (such as cancellation benefits, interest subsidies, etc) that are offered on the loans being consolidated.

• If you are close to paying off your student loans, it may not make sense to consolidate or extend your payments.  By extending the years of repayment for your loans, you may be increasing the total amount you have to pay in interest.
  

More information regarding Consolidation Loans is available online at www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov or by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

Where do I find information about loan discharge, cancellation, and forgiveness?

You can find information online at:

www.studentaid.ed.gov/discharges

www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov

Select Students, Parents and Counselors

It is important that you understand your costs and also the financial assistance and payment options that are available to assist you.  Complete Western’s Budget Calculator online. Then, compare your estimated cost with the financial assistance opportunities that are offered to you on your official award letter.

You should receive a statement reflecting your total charges for the semester, your ESTIMATED financial assistance and your current balance due. You may pay the amount due in full, or you may elect to make payments throughout the semester by enrolling in Western’s Deferred Payment Plan. 

Western accepts cash, checks, money orders, credit/debit cards (MasterCard, Visa and Discover). You may make payments online at www.missouriwestern.edu/businessoffice, by mail, or in the Business Office located in Eder Hall, Room 104.  Please do not mail cash.

The Deferred Payment Plan allows you to take the balance of your account after all applicable financial aid has been applied and make payments throughout the semester. There is a $50 enrollment fee PER SEMESTER to participate in this program.

The advantage of this program is that it may provide you the opportunity to finance your education without borrowing student loan funds. The possible disadvantage is that you will not be eligible to enroll for a future semester until your account for the current semester is paid in full.

Statements will be mailed on the 5th of each month, with payments due on the 20th.  Keep in mind that the financial aid shown on your statement is considered ESTIMATED until your eligibility is certified at the end of the first week of class or at a later date as determined by the funding source. Please refer to your official award letter for fund specific eligibility criteria.  Account balances can also be obtained from your My Western self-service account.

Book Store Credit ~ If you are scheduled to receive more financial assistance than your charges, Western will transfer up to $750 of your pending financial assistance to your student ID card. These funds may be used to purchase books and supplies at the campus bookstore.  The actual amount used will be charged to your student account and deducted from your financial aid.

Credit Balance Refund Checks ~ If you receive more financial assistance than your charges, a refund check will be issued to you. Checks are issued each Wednesday beginning the third week of class each semester. (You must have your Western Student ID to pick up your check.)

All credit balance checks will be issued to the student with the exception of PLUS Loans, which will be payable to the parent or student and mailed to the parent’s address, unless otherwise directed.

If your account is not paid in full by the due date or if payment arrangements have not been made, you will be automatically enrolled in Western’s Deferred Payment Plan ($50 fee) plus charged a $50 late fee.  In addition, a hold will be placed on your account preventing you from registering for a future semester and restricting your ability to receive a transcript and/or diploma. 

Students having difficulty making payments should contact the Business Office at (816) 271-5989.

All students are eligible to apply online for both on- and off-campus positions.  Apply for Positions