Financial Aid       

West Chester University

25 University Avenue, Suite #030
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: (610) 436-2627
Fax: (610) 436-2574


5 Steps to Financial Aid @ WCU

 

 

Step 3: Understanding the Aid in your Package

The financial aid in your package may contain different types of aid from different sources of funding. You may have gift money (grants and scholarships) and or you may have self-help money (loans and employment). There are eligibility requirements to be offered these awards. Parent and Private loans have eligibility requirements as well.

  • Grants and scholarships  do not require repayment.  If you have been offered a Scholarship from an outside agency please send the aid office a copy of the Scholarship letter and we will incorporate the scholarship into your aid package. Be advised that the scholarship could affect your financial aid package.
  • Employment  to receive these funds you are required to work. You will then be paid for the hours worked.  
  • Loans  require repayment. If you have a student loan in your aid package you have the right to reduce or decline the loan that you have been offered.
  • Parent and Private LoansWatch Video  are credit worthy loans. The university will receive notification of your application and its status. The Cost of Attendance must be provided in the process of obtain a Private Loan. Students are required to submit a Student Self-Certification Form (SSCF) to their lender. Lenders will require the school certify these costs when they forward the application to our office. Please use the WCU-Cost of Attendance Chart to complete the SSCF, available May 16th.

You must reapply for financial aid every year. The aid offered to you is based on the information you submitted on your FAFSA. Since the information you submit may change from year to year your financial aid may also change.

Your aid may change as a result of the corrections you make or corrections we make as part of the “Verification” process.  

Should your family’s circumstances change after you submit your FAFSA you may have grounds for a “Professional Judgment” evaluation.  In addition, if a WCU financial aid director authorized a "Dependency Override"  for you in your previous academic year you may need to request a Dependency Override again if you cannot answer the questions on the FAFSA as an Independent student.

NOTE - The school you plan to attend must submit the Dependency Override on your behalf. West Chester University will not honor a Dependency Override authorized by another institution.

There are academic requirements for your federal aid as well as for your PA State Grant you must meet to keep your financial aid from year to year. It’s important that you understand these requirements and meet them.