Submit all Final High School & College Transcripts

In order to attend MoWest, you’ll need to submit your final high school and/or college transcripts to the University. This could be documents such as academic transcripts, test scores, and other necessary admission information. For an in-depth list and step-by-step process, visit: https://www.missouriwestern.edu/admissions/freshman-students/

Complete Placement Exams, if Qualified

Placement Exams are exams MoWest provides to assist in placing you into courses that meet your skill levels. The exams take no more than one hour and they are free to students. It will not impact your grades, so there is no need to stress. By taking the exams, you give us the chance to understand your skills and set you up with classes that will best support your success while also making sure you aren’t wasting time and money on classes you are over-prepared for.

How do I know if I need to take Placement Exams?
Placement exams are designed to give you the opportunity to test your skills and have the opportunity to take some higher-level courses. For some majors, this can assist you with graduating on track.

For more information about Placement Exams, please visit: https://www.missouriwestern.edu/fye/placement-exams/

When do I need to take Placement Exams?
It is so, so, SO important that you take the exams BEFORE your scheduled Griffon Orientation date. At orientation, we help you register for classes. In order to do so, it is essential we understand your skill levels. If you haven’t taken the exams you need to, or want to take, you’ll leave with an unfinished schedule, which may impact your ability to get into the classes you want.

MoWest Express Textbook Program

MoWest Express is a course material delivery model that simplifies the student experience, lowers the cost of materials, and ensures students have access to all of their required course materials on or before the first day of class. Through this innovative program, physical books are conveniently packaged and provided to students on a rental basis, and access to digital material is directly within Canvas. At the end of the term, students will receive email reminders to return rented physical course materials to the bookstore.

Upon registering for courses, you will be automatically enrolled into the program.

Learn more about the MoWest Express program, or information on how to opt-out here: https://www.missouriwestern.edu/mowestexpress/

Set up Goldlink

Your Goldlink account is your lifeline as a Griffon. Your Goldlink account is used to access financial information, pay your bill, register for classes, and so much more. Before attending orientation, it is important that you have access to your Goldlink account.

Click here to view a photo walk-through to set up your Goldlink Account.

Memorize this information, or store it in your saved passwords in your phone. You will need this at orientation! In order to ensure you leave Griffon Orientation with a finalized class schedule, it is essential that your Goldlink account is set up.

Set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Technology Services is responsible for providing faculty, staff and students throughout our campus community with technology support and services. They are charged with maintaining our IT infrastructure, while providing support for classroom, lab and office computing, managing custom development services, and collaborating with partners across campus to advance the use of technology in support of our mission.

To support this mission, please set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).  Directions can be found here:

https://www.missouriwestern.edu/techservices/wp-content/uploads/sites/174/2024/08/Microsoft-Authenticator-App-Setup.pdf

Help Desk/Technology Support

Call (816) 271-4555
Submit a Mojo Ticket through the Help Desk
Hearnes Center, Room 150

Visit the following link to claim your copy of Office365.
https://griff.vn/office

FAFSA & Financial Aid

The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete the FAFSA. The 2026-2027 FAFSA opened up on October 1st. If you haven’t submitted your 2026-2027 FAFSA yet, there is still time. Visit http://griff.vn/MoWestFAFSA

We also encourage all students to complete our General Scholarship Application. This application is open from October through April 1st, each year. While the deadline has passed for 2026-27, we encourage you to submit your application for next year, starting in October.

Check your Financial Aid requirements and Aid Offer on Goldlink.

• Visit your Financial Aid Self Service: https://griff.vn/FinAidPortal
• Answer the Questions from the Financial Aid Office (if you haven’t already).
• Review and complete any unsatisfied requirements
• Select Offer and review your aid

For more information and options for paying your bill visit griff.vn/FAOptions.

The Financial Aid Office will communicate with you via your MoWest email. Be sure to check it frequently.

If you have questions, please contact the financial aid office by emailing us at finaid@missouriwestern.edu or call us at 816-271-4362.

For more information, visit our Financial Aid website: https://missouriwestern.edu/finaid.

Black & Gold Scholarship

The Black & Gold Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that automatically renews.

To learn more about it, or to calculate how much you may be qualified for, visit the Black & Gold Scholarship website here: https://www.missouriwestern.edu/finaid/black-and-gold-scholarship/

General Scholarship Application

To be considered for 2026-27 MoWest Competitive Scholarships, ALL students should complete the General Scholarship Application requirements no later than April 1, 2026. An additional application is required for scholarships offered by the Music Department.

Graduate and undergraduate students who complete the General Scholarship Application requirements by the deadline will be considered for over 250 scholarships offered by the Missouri Western State University Foundation.

NOTE: Unless indicated in the scholarship description, posted scholarships are intended for undergraduate students and require full-time enrollment.

The MoWest General Scholarship Application can be found here: https://missouriwestern.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/CMXAdmin/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=1747

To learn more about scholarships and grants, visit our main scholarship page here: https://www.missouriwestern.edu/finaid/scholarship-opportunities/

Payment Due Dates

Students are expected to have classes paid in full or set up with a payment plan prior to the start of fall classes or they may be subject to administrative drop (all classes dropped through the system). Students who are enrolled but have decided not to attend must formally WITHDRAW from all classes before school starts or you will be required to pay for those classes.

To access the latest due dates for your semester, visit the Business Office’s website: https://www.missouriwestern.edu/businessoffice/payments/

Payment Options

There are many ways to pay your account in full. The following ways qualify:

• Paid in Full by cash, check or debit card in the Business Office, OR
• Paid in Full by credit card, debit card, e-check or ACH online through student Goldlink access
• Paid in Full by accepted financial aid sufficient to pay the full cost of attendance for the semester at the time of enrollment. Accepted financial aid means the student’s FASFA file is complete, the student has been offered financial aid AND has accepted the financial aid offered, OR
• Paid in Full by enrolling in a tuition payment plan with required monthly installment payments during the semester. A payment plan is required if
  • Financial aid will not pay your full cost of attendance, OR
  • You do not know how much financial aid you will receive, OR
  • Your account will not be paid in full by the terms Payment Arrangement Due Date

For more details on these methods, please visit the Business Office website here: https://www.missouriwestern.edu/businessoffice/payments/

Failure to pay account in full by one of the options listed and/or by the last installment date will result in a $100 late fee added to the student account.

How to Access Student Bill

• Go to the MoWest website, scroll to the bottom, and click Goldlink at the very bottom under Quick Links.
• Log in to your Goldlink Account.
• Look for the Paying for College card and click on Student Bill inquiry, payment options, and Print Your Official 1098T.
• Click I agree.
• Click the My Account dropdown and select Statements.
• Click on the Billing Statements tab.
• Click View next to the statement you wish to view.

See screenshots for the above process here.

Payment Plans

The tuition payment plan allows the student to make required monthly payments on the balance of their account (after all applicable financial aid has been applied) during the semester.

• Notifications that billing statements are available for viewing are e-mailed to your MoWest e-mail address around the 5th of each month for accounts with outstanding balances. If you are getting these notices please make your payment or review your account and MoWest e-mail in GoldLink for required actions. Parents can get statement notifications if they are set up as a responsible party on their student’s account.
• A $50 fee is assessed each term to enroll in the payment plan.
• Enrollment must be done online through GoldLink. In GoldLink, select the Paying for College, select Student Bill Inquiry and Payment Options. Click on “I agree”, and select the payment plan tab at the top of the page.
• The enrollment fee is not due at the time the plan is established.

How to Set Up a Payment Plan:

1. Go to the MoWest website, scroll to the bottom, and click Goldlink at the very bottom under Quick Links.
2. Log in to your Goldlink Account.
3. Look for the Paying for College card and click on Student Bill inquiry, payment options, and Print Your Official 1098T.
4. Click I agree.
5. Click Enroll in Payment Plan.
6. Click the Select Term drop down and click on the term you are wanting to set your payment plan for.
7. Click the gold Select button.
8. Carefully review the page and select yes or no on the automatic payments, then click Continue.
9. Read through the agreement, then check I agree to terms and conditions. Click Continue.

To view screenshots of the above process click here.

Griffon Guide Tip: As a college student, your information is confidential and cannot legally be shared with your parent or guardian. If you would like your financial aid information to be shared with your parent or guardian, you will need to complete the Federal Buckley Amendment form. If your parent or guardian would like access to your student account to make payments, you will need to set them up as an authorized user in the system explained above. Note: Setting this individual up as an authorized user, does not give the school permission to share your information with a parent or guardian. Be sure to complete both steps if this access is needed.

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law which sets forth requirements aimed at protecting the privacy of educational records. Education records are defined as those records which directly relate to a student and are maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting on behalf of that institution. Any educational institution that receives funds under any program administered by the U.S. Secretary of Education is bound by FERPA requirements.

Annual FERPA Notification to Students

A FERPA Release Form can be found through your Goldlink ~ Student Records ~ FERPA Release Form.

Additional information regarding FERPA may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar, Eder 102.

• Federal Buckley Amendment form

Housing Application

Residential Life is more than just a place to sleep. Living on campus gives you the opportunity to form your social group, balance your newfound freedom with similarly newfound responsibilities, and participate in the many events around campus. During your time on campus, you’ll not only have a place to sleep, but also the support of multiple Resident Assistants (RAs) who have been in your position. They have tips and tricks and are here to assist you throughout your journey. We hope that you enjoy living on campus. Of course, there will be ups and downs – but you will have the support needed to get through it all.

Apply for Housing:

• Go to the housing website and click on the New Student Housing Application banner.
• Click on Login and then MissouriWestern- Student SSO Login
• Click on Housing Application and then select the Term
• Fill in personal details
• Communicate building preference and select your meal plan
• Sign the contract Terms and Conditions
• Students under the age of 18 will have to have a parent guardian sign as proxy
• Pay the $50 housing application fee.
• You should be taken to a summary page and your application will be complete.

Next Steps: Complete your roommate questionnaire and roommate selection by returning to your housing application.

Quick Facts on Housing Applications:

• Applications will not be accepted without a $50 housing application fee.
• The housing application fee is required for all students regardless of scholarships or financial awards.
• Room assignments are made on a first come, first served basis.

First-Year Housing Requirement

To enhance academic success, MoWest requires first-year students who have not previously attended this University and are taking 12 or more credit hours to reside in University housing their first two semesters unless they meet one of the following exceptions:

• Are living with a parent, grandparent or legal guardian within a 50 mile radius of the MoWest campus (4525 Downs Drive, Saint Joseph, MO 64507) as determined by MapQuest
• Are 21 years of age by the beginning of the academic year for which they are enrolling
• Are a military veteran
• Have completed more than 30 credit hours (not including high school classes taken for college credit)
• Are married and or reside with dependent children

All first-year students must have either a housing contract or a granted waiver request on file with Housing and Residence Life. Failure to have a granted housing waiver on file will result in a room charge being placed on the student’s account.

Please submit a First-Year Requirement Waiver if you meet any of the above exemption criteria. These forms are available in the Housing and Residence Life office (Commons Building) or by downloading the form from this site.

• Move-In
• What to Bring

Meal Plans for Residents and Commuters

https://missouriwestern.mydininghub.com/en

Our meal plans were created with you in mind! Enjoy the convenience of dining on and off campus, with flexibility to fit your schedule and lifestyle. Meal Plans make mealtime stress-free, helping you save money, connect with friends, and fuel your day— your plan is here to help you thrive. https://missouriwestern.mydininghub.com/en/meal-plans

Complete the Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire

Upon enrollment at MoWest, all students will need to complete the TB screening questionnaire in compliance with Missouri State Law. If testing is required, the process could take up to two weeks to complete. Don’t wait until the last minute!

Students who fail to take the screening may experience holds that would impact their course schedule. The screening takes no more than five minutes, so go ahead and complete it. The only thing you will need is your G#.

Complete the Screening

Griffon Guide Tip: Can’t remember your G#? It was sent to you in an email from MoWest Admissions. You can also find it by logging into Goldlink and clicking on Personal Information and Update under the Personal Information heading on the home page.

Esry Health Center

RESIDENCE HALL STUDENTS

Students living on campus are required to submit:

• Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire AND
• Meningococcal Immunization (Meningitis) documentation (given at 16 years of age or older) or if applicable, a signed waiver that indicates you have medical or religious exemption from the meningococcal immunization (More information about the Meningococcal Immunization here)OR
• Other official immunization records from the Health Department, a physician’s office, hospital or school.

Additionally, students who have ever had a positive tuberculin skin test, must submit a physician signed chest x-ray report with their health and immunizations records, prior to move-in to confirm the absence of active disease.

Prior to moving in, all documentation must be submitted by:

• The Student Health Portal: mwsu.studenthealthportal.com
• Mail: Esry Student Health Center, 4525 Downs Drive – Blum Union 203, St. Joseph, MO 64507 OR
• Fax: (816) 271-4498 OR
• health@missouriwestern.edu

Failure to provide this information may delay your check-in.

Student ID

How to get your ID:
To get your Griffon ID, you will need to visit the MoWest Police Department on the second floor of Blum Student Union (Blum 201). Arrive photo-ready between the hours of 8:00 – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. In order to get your student ID, you will need to be enrolled in courses at MoWest.

How to Use your Griffon ID:
On-campus: Your Griffon ID serves as your student identification card, but it also serves many other purposes. Your ID will be how you access your meal plan or Flex dollars to pay for meals on campus. For residential students, your ID serves as the key to your residence hall and room.

Off-campus: Show your Griffon ID around town to access a variety of student discounts.

What happens if I lose my Griffon ID card?
If your Griffon ID has been lost or stolen, report it to the University Police Department immediately. Replacement Griffon ID cards require a $10 replacement fee.

How do I load money onto my Griffon ID card?
If you run out of Flex money stop by Blum Student Union, Room 102 to deposit money into your account. Or visit Missouri Western Dining Services.

Parking Pass & Registering Your Vehicle

All employees and students parking a vehicle on campus must register the vehicle annually with the University. Current parking registrations expire on August 31, 2026. Parking permits do not automatically renew. You are required to purchase a new permit. You must register your vehicle online. Once registered, you may pick up your parking permit at the MoWest Police Department, Blum 201. Vehicles parked outside of permitted spaces or without displayed permits are subject to ticketing or removal.

General Parking

• General parking is available in Lots B, C, D, E, F, G, H. I, J, K, M, N, O and Q.
• General parking decals are $30; additional decals are available for $10 each, and replacement decals are $10.
• Parking decals must be displayed in the rear window of the vehicle in the lower passenger side corner.

Registering Your Vehicle

Please be prepared to provide the following information:

• G Number
• Vehicle Information (Make, Model, Year, Color, License Plate Number & State)
• Registered Owner Information (Name, Phone Number, Address & Relationship to Driver)
• Payment information. You may choose to pay by credit card or have it added to your Goldlink account.

Griffon Alert

The Griffon Alert text messaging and e-mail system is designed to enhance and improve communication so that all members of the MoWest campus community (students, staff and faculty only) can stay informed in the event of an emergency that affects all or part of the campus.

Click here to visit the Griffon Alert site and enroll.

Student Code of Conduct

The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct | Rights and Responsibilities is to establish specific student expectations and responsibilities with the purpose of maintaining an environment conducive to the University’s educational mission. Student Conduct processes are not to be construed as legal proceedings.

More information is available at our website: (https://www.missouriwestern.edu/saem/dean-of-students/).

You can view the Student Code of Conduct Here.

Parking Pass & Registering Your Vehicle

Participating in organizations on campus is an integral part of the higher education experience. In fact, studies show that students involved in some form of extracurricular activities are more likely to succeed than other students.

Through this involvement students have a chance to have a ton of fun, explore many opportunities, learn and practice valuable skills, have a lasting impact on the campus, and gain a greater sense of belonging in the community.

• Find campus events and organizations at Max Engage.
• MoWest Center for Student Involvement.
• Follow MoWest SGA on Instagram: @sgamwsu and @griffonactivities
• Center for Service: follow on Instagram! @mwsu_serve

Accessibility Resource Center

Students with disabilities who encountered barriers to equal access and inclusion while attending high school may encounter similar barriers in the college environment as well. If you are a student with a disability who is anticipating barriers to full participation in our Griffon Orientation program, contact the Accessibility Resource Center to request accommodations.

The Accessibility Resource Center can assist with:

• Assistive technology
• Alternative testing environments
• Bringing your service animal to campus and the residential halls
• and much much more!

Griffon Guide Tip: University life is about advocating for yourself. If you had an Individualized Education Plans (IEP) plan, it does not automatically carry over to college. If you had an IEP in school, you may want to talk to the Accessibility Resource Center!

Accessibility Resource Center
Missouri Western State University Campus Location – Eder Hall 201
Email – arc@missouriwestern.edu
Phone – (816) 271-4337

Free Tutoring with the Center for Academic Advisement (CAS)

The Center for Academic Support (CAS) provides one-on-one and small group tutoring for most courses on campus. Located on the northeast corner of the library building, the Center consists of group study spaces and a large open area for students to receive tutoring or work independently.

The CAS offers free tutoring in math, writing, and specific courses. In addition to these services, students have access to Supplemental Instruction (SI) and workshops sponsored by the Center. Flashcards and handouts are also available.

To access all the CAS has to offer, click here.

Register for Spring Semester