Missouri Western State University
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A Western education is an important part of your future.

It can open doors that might otherwise be closed.  But, let's face it, higher education is expensive.

It is important to understand the financial obligation associated with your education and also what opportunities for assistance are available to help meet that obligation. 

88% of first-time, full-time students at Western receive grant or scholarship assistance.

Cost and Scholarship Calculator

Allows you to estimate your direct cost of attending Western and determine eligibility for Western Scholarships.

  

Cost and Budget Worksheet

Allows you to estimate the cost associated with attending Western and create a budget worksheet.

  

Net Price Calculator

Allows you to view the median scholarship and grant aid received by first-time, full-time freshmen in a prior year at Western.

FAFSA4Caster

Allows you to estimate eligibility for federal financial assistance before completing the FAFSA.

 

Determining Expected Family Contribution & Financial Need

To determine your financial need for assistance, Western begins by assigning you a Cost of Attendance (COA) Budget in accordance with Federal regulations. This budget includes more than just the charges you see on your bill for tuition, fees, room, and board. Allowances for books and supplies, transportation expenses, living expenses, etc. are also built in.

Next, we subtract your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your EFC is determined by a formula created by Congress that takes into consideration your family income, assets, number in the household, number in the household attending college, and the age of the older parent.  In other words, your EFC is determined by your FAFSA results.

Then, we subtract the assistance you are expected to receive from ALL sources.

Cost of Attendance (COA) Budget

-Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Financial Need

- All Sources of Assistance

Remaining Unmet Financial Need

Using guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education, Western Financial Aid Administrators put together a financial aid package that comes as close as possible to meeting your need.  Because funds are limited, the actual amount awarded may fall short of the amount of unmet need you have. 

Example:

  $17,850 COA Budget (Dependent Living On-Campus)
- $200 EFC (Determined by FAFSA Results)
= $17,650 Financial Need
- $5,400 Pell Grant (Based on EFC - Max $5,550/Year )
- $950 State Grant
- $5,500 Stafford Loan ($5,500 Freshman Max Per/Year)
- $1000 Western Scholarship
- $1000 External Scholarship
= $3,800 Remaining Un-Met Need (Student Responsibility)

The Student Guide, provided by the U.S. Department of Education, provides more guidance on the calculation of Expected Family Contribution, Financial Need, and General Eligibility requirements for Federal Student Aid.

2011-12 Western Cost of Attendance Budgets for Full-Time Students

Remember, your cost of attendance budget includes more than just the charges you see on your bill for tuition, fees, room, and board. Allowances for books and supplies, transportation expenses, living expenses, etc. are also built in.   

Keep in mind that this budget IS NOT representative of your direct cost of attending Western. To estimate your actual cost, please complete the Western Budget Calculator.

Undergraduate Cost of Attendance - Missouri Resident

Missouri Residents
Living at Home
All Other Housing
Tuition & Fees       
$6,013
$6,013
Room & Board    
$2,000
$7,553
Books & Supplies    
$800
$800
Travel               
$1,000
$1,000
Personal/Miscellaneous
$1,600
$1,600
Total
$11,413
$16,966

Undergraduate Cost of Attendance - Non-Resident

Non-Residents
Living at Home
All Other Housing
Tuition & Fees
$10,845
$10,845
Room & Board
$2,000
$7,553
Books & Supplies
$800
$800
Travel
$1,000
$1,000
Personal/Miscellaneous
$1,600
$1,600
Total
$16,245
$21,798

Graduate Cost of Attendance

Resident
Non-Resident
Tuition & Fees       
$3,133
$8,442
Books & Supplies    
$600
$600
Living Allowance
$13,250
$13,250
Total
$16,983
$22,292
4525 Downs Dr., St. Joseph, MO 64507  PH: 816-271-4200
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