Financial Aid       

West Chester University

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


Eligibility Requirements

The financial aid program at West Chester University provides financial assistance and counseling to students who can benefit from further education, but who cannot obtain it without such assistance. The main responsibility for meeting educational expenses rests with students and their families. Financial aid is a supplement to family contribution and is to be used for educational expenses.

Eligibility for financial aid, with the exception of some private scholarships and the Parent Loan Program, is based on demonstrated financial need. Family income, assets, and family size influence a student's demonstrated financial need.

All documents, correspondence, and conversations among the applicants, their families, and the Office of Financial Aid are confidential and entitled to the protection ordinarily arising from a counseling relationship.

To receive financial aid, the student must:

  1. Be accepted for admission as a degree student enrolling at West Chester University, at least half time (6 credits) Or, in the case of a degree student already attending the University, manintain enrollment on at least a half time basis.
  2. Meet the satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requriements as a degree student.
  3. Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) preferably by the March 1 priority deadline. Students interested in student employment should indicate their interest by their response to question #31 on the FAFSA and submit the WCU Federal Work Study Student Employment Application.
  4. Submit requested documentation concerning financial and family circumstances that may be requested by the Office of Financial Aid, or any agency that administers financial assistance programs, in a complete and prompt manner.
  5. Not have a drug conviction for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (such as grants,loans, or work-study). A federal or state drug conviction can disqualify a student for Federal Student aid (FSA) funds if the offense occurred during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving Title IV aid. Convictions that occurred when the student was not receiving Title IV aid, or that were reversed, set aside, or removed from the student's record, do not count. Convictions for Possession of illegal drugs or sale of illegal drugs will render the student ineligible for FSA funds as follows:

    Possession of illegal drugs:

         1st Offense - 1 year from date of conviction,  2nd Offense - 2 years from date of conviction, 

         3rd Offense - Indefinite period.

                                                                                       

    Sale of illegal drugs:

         1st Offense - 2 years from date of conviction, 

         2nd Offense - Indefinite period

    If convicted of both possessing and selling illegal drugs the periods of ineligibility may be different. A student regains eligibility the day after the period of eligibility ends or when he/she successfully completes a qualified drug rehabilitation program. For more information about drug-related convictions and federal aid eligibility, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3242).

                

The Office of Financial Aid follows the regulations established by federal and state agencies in awarding and disbursing aid.

Students must reapply for financial aid each academic year.