Types of Aid

How to Get Financial Aid

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will determine an Student Aid Index (SAI) that will be used to award eligible students federal grants, state grants, direct loans, and federal work-study. You must be accepted into a financial aid eligible program to receive these types of aid.

In order to remain eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), which involves maintaining a cumulative 2.0 grade point average and a cumulative 67% completion rate.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students with exceptional financial need who have NOT earned a bachelor's or graduate degree. The Federal Pell Grant is used to provide the "base" for student's financial aid package. The maximum amount varies from year to year depending on published Department of Education payment schedules. Federal Pell Grants do not have to be repaid.

The amount of this grant is determined by the student’s SAI and enrollment status on the Date of Record:

12 credits & above (full-time): 100% of award
11 credits (three-quarter time): 92% of award
10 credits (three-quarter time): 83% of award
9 credits (three-quarter time): 75% of award
8 credits (half-time): 67% of award
7 credits (half-time): 58% of award
6 credits (half-time): 50% of award
5 credits (less than half-time): 42% of award
4 credits (less than half-time): 33% of award
3 credits (less than half-time): 25% of award
2 credits (less than half-time): 17% of award
1 credit (less than half-time): 8% of award

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

FSEOG is a need based grant available to students who have a -1500 to zero SAI. Students must also be enrolled at least half time (6 credits) to be eligible for this grant. These funds are limited and students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.

Wisconsin Grant

Wisconsin Grant is available to students who are Wisconsin residents and prorated according to enrollment.

12 credits or more = 100%
9-11 credits = 75%
6-8 credits = 50%
Less than 6 credits = 25%

This grant is based on financial need. Eligibility cannot exceed ten semesters. These funds are limited and students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.

Once awarded the Wisconsin Grant, disbursement is pending the release of funding from the state so a delay in receiving this funding may occur. If funding runs out for the academic year, not all Wisconsin grants will be disbursed.

Minority Retention Grant Program

Minority Retention Grant Program is available to minority students who are Wisconsin residents in the second year of a two-year program and have financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits). Eligibility cannot exceed eight semesters. Minority status is determined by the data on our system. These funds are limited and students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.

Talent Incentive Program (TIP)

Talent Incentive Program (TIP) is designed for first-time students who are economically and/or academically disadvantaged. Students who feel they may qualify for this additional funding may contact the Eau Claire Department of Public Instruction at 715-836-3171 for further information. This grant is based on financial need. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits). Eligibility cannot exceed ten semesters. These funds are limited and students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.

Hearing/Visually Impaired Student Grant

Hearing/Visually Impaired Student Grant is available to Wisconsin residents who demonstrate a financial need and who have a severe or profound hearing or visual impairment. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits. Eligibility cannot exceed ten semesters.

Indian Student Assistance Grant

Indian Student Assistance Grant is available to Wisconsin residents who are at least 25% Native American (certification for degree of Indian blood required). Awards are based on financial need. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits). Eligibility cannot exceed ten semesters. These funds are limited and students are encouraged to apply early.

Students interested in receiving Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) funding must complete a separate Indian Scholarship Application which is obtained from their tribal education office for the purpose of certifying the student's degree of Indian blood.

It is a student’s responsibility to notify Financial Aid Resources and Planning Services to be nominated for WIG if not receiving BIA.

There are several loan options available to help you finance your education. The types of loans include Federal Direct Loans for students, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans, and Private Loans. The following information highlights the different types of loan programs available and the eligibility requirements for each. While loans are an option to help you meet your educational goals, loans are borrowed money that must be repaid, with interest. Interest rates vary from different loan programs and times; it is in your best interest to only borrow what you need.

Direct Loan Program

Western participates in the Direct Loan Program. This means that eligible students will borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education, instead of a bank or credit union. All NEW student loan borrowers will need to complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) AND Entrance Counseling. Students must be taking at least six (6) credits in order to receive direct student loans.

Learn More about Direct Loans

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan are federally guaranteed loans that parents may obtain to help pay for the cost of education for their dependent child, the student. Certain credit conditions apply, and a credit check is required.

Learn more about PLUS Loans

Private Loans

Some students find they need additional funds beyond their grant and Direct Loan eligibility to meet their expenses while attending college.

Learn more about Private Loans

The FWS Program is need-based and is awarded based on the filing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FWS is a job program for a student with financial need to work and earn money to help pay for educational expenses. Those eligible for FWS can earn up to the amount listed on MyFinAid or until Western’s total FWS allocation is exhausted. FWS awards are paid out to the student on a semi-monthly basis (around the 10th and 26th each month), based on the number of hours worked. FWS money is earned and paid directly to the student and is not put towards the Western account balance Students can work up to 12 hours per week during the fall and spring semester at a pay rate of $14 per hour. Summer work-study is also available, with the option to work up to 25 hours per week, depending on the students’ summer credit load. Positions are available both on and off-campus. These funds are limited, and students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.

Learn More about Federal Work-Study

More than 500 scholarships are available to Western students. There is one application for all of our Foundation scholarships. Different criteria may apply to certain scholarships, such as income level, or a student’s program, but others are open to all students.

Find out more about scholarships

Outside Resources

Students who experience an unexpected financial hardship are encouraged to complete Student Resource Request form. This can allow you to get connected with on campus and off campus programs that may be able to help. Covered expenses may include dependent care, gas, background checks, medical expenses, utilities, vehicle repairs, etc. Any funding awarded will be included as estimated financial aid assistance.

Learn more about Basic Needs Center

Students who have successfully completed the AmeriCorps term of service and have enrolled in the National Service Trust, are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. The education award can be used to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and GI-Bill approved educational programs, to repay qualified student loans, or for both purposes. Members can access the entire award or part of it until the total amount has been used or the award expires. A member has up to seven years after his or her term of service has ended to claim the award. When students use their education awards as a resource, it may reduce their eligibility for campus-based aid. Financial aid offices must consider the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award as a resource, or funds that the student has available to use to pay toward their cost of attendance.

Visit AmeriCorps website

The Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is a federal/state program designed to assist people with disabilities with obtaining employment. Eligible DVR students may be considered for a DVR training grant to assist with the educational expenses of attending a college, university, technical college, or vocational training program to reach their employment goals. Financial aid eligibility and awards are factored into the calculation of a DVR training grant.

For additional information, please email dvr@dwd.wisconsin.gov or call 800-442-3477 (toll free).

Workforce Connections, Inc. (WCI) administers employment and training programs, including the FoodShare Employment & Training (FSET Program) and Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). To connect with a WCI staff member, complete the request form.

View WCI Request Services Form

The child of a parent who died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive the maximum amount of Federal Pell Grant. To qualify, the student must be Federal Pell Grant eligible (receiving less than the maximum Federal Pell Grant amount), be less than 24 years of age or enrolled in college at the time of his or her parent’s death.

For purposes of the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship, a “public safety officer” is:

An individual serving a public agency in an official capacity, with or without compensation, as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or chaplain;
An employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) who is performing official duties of the agency, if those official duties
- are related to a major disaster or emergency that has been, or is later declared to exist with respect to the area under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; and
- are determined by FEMA to be hazardous duties;
An employee of a state, local, or tribal emergency management or civil defense agency who is performing official duties in cooperation with FEMA, if those official duties
- are related to a major disaster or emergency that has been, or is later declared to exist with respect to the area under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; and
- are determined by the agency to be hazardous duties;
A member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew who, as authorized or licensed by law and by the applicable agency or entity, is engaging in rescue activity or in the provision of emergency medical services; or
A fire police officer, defined as an individual who is serving in accordance with state or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency, or at a planned, special event.

The definition of “parent/guardian” for purposes of the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship is broader than that used for purposes of the FAFSA. For scholarship purposes, parent/guardian includes non-custodial parents, step-parents, and parents of independent students. In all cases, the parent/guardian status at the time of death is the qualifying eligibility criterion. This may be different from the current parent/guardian status.

Documentation is required to determine and document that the student was less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death. A single, national data source of individuals who died in the line of duty while serving as a public safety officer does not exist. While the Department does not specify all of the acceptable documentation that may be used to determine eligibility for this scholarship, here are some documents that schools may consider:

A determination letter acknowledging eligibility for certain federal benefits under the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) program administered by the Department of Justice;
A written letter of attestation or determination made by a state or local government official with supervisory or other relevant oversight authority of an individual who died in the line of duty while serving as a public safety officer as defined above;
Documentation of the student qualifying for a state tuition or other state benefit accorded to the children or other family members of a public safety officer consistent with the definition in 42 U.S.C. 3796b, or as a fire police officer as noted above; or
Other documentation the school determines to be from a credible source that describes or reports the circumstances of the death and the occupation of the parent or guardian.

Remember the Code!

Use Western’s FAFSA school code when you apply for any type of financial aid. Our code is 003840.

Outside view of Western's Student Success Center building

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La Crosse, WI 54601

Phone: 608-785-9579

Fax: 608-789-4760

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