Q & A's

Questions and Answers for New Students

Q. How and when do I apply for financial aid?
A. You must file a FAFSA each academic year that you wish to be considered for financial aid - which includes loans. You may apply beginning in January for the following new academic year. Students are urged to apply on-line at FAFSA ON THE WEB because your application information will be processed faster and built-in software helps you avoid errors that could lead to delays.

Q. How will I be notified of the amount of aid for which I will qualify?
A. As soon as the Financial Aid Office has determined your financial aid awards, we will send you an Award Notification e-mail notifying you that your awards are available for review on STARS ON THE WEB. Stars on the Web is a secure site where students can access their student information. If you are unable to access your Award Notification, you may contact our office to request a paper notification be mailed to you. Note: New students will be mailed their first notification in addition to receiving an e-mail notification. All further notifications throughout the year will be to WIU e-mail accounts.

Quick Links

Q. What information regarding my financial aid can I find out from using STARS?
A. You may view the following information on STARS:

Q. How do I activate my WIU email account and check my STARS account?
A. Activate your email account by going to www.wiu.edu/guava. Select the account activation link located below the login box.

Activate your STARS account by going to the STARS login page and clicking "Launch STARS." The first time you access STARS, your PIN will be your MONTH and DAY of birth (mmdd). For example, if you were born on January 5, then your PIN will be 0105. You will then be required to change your PIN to a 4-digit number of your choosing. DO NOT GIVE YOUR PIN TO ANYONE.

For STARS sign-on assistance you may contact the Student Assistance and Parent Service Center (Union), 309-298-2092.

Q. When do I receive a bill from Western?
A. Financial aid (except Federal Work Study, non-electronic alternative and non-electronic PLUS Loans, and some private scholarships) will be automatically applied to tuition, fees, room and board charges on your bill each semester. The Billing and Receivables Office sends a monthly notification to your WIU e-mail account notifying you to view your bill on STARS. In January, June and August paper billing statements will be mailed to your home address on file in the Registrar's Office. The first bill for Fall Semester will be mailed in August. Please contact the Billing and Receivables Office (309/298-1831) if you have specific questions concerning billing procedures, payment plans, payment deadlines, etc.

Q. How is financial aid disbursed to me?
A. All Federal and State aid (except Federal Work Study) will automatically be applied to tuition, fees, room and board charges on your bill each semester. Refunds for amounts of aid exceeding direct educational charges (tuition, fees, room and board) are direct deposited to the bank account designated. Direct Deposit Authorization Information

Refunds from financial aid are not always available or may be insufficient to pay for your books. Please be prepared to pay for your books from your own personal resources.

Before each aid disbursement, financial aid eligibility must be reviewed in such areas as:

All first time Stafford Loan borrowers must complete Stafford Loan Counseling before funds can be disbursed. Loan funds cannot be disbursed until just before school begins and therefore, will not appear on your first University bill each term. We delay Stafford Loan 1st disbursements to first-time freshmen until after the 10th day of the term. (Arrangements have been made with Billing and Receivables Office to waive finance charge related solely to the amount of expected disbursement).

Your lender may deduct an origination fee up to 2% of the principal amount of your Stafford and/or PLUS loan(s).

Loan amounts for the full year will be disbursed in two installments:

Your financial aid eligibility (including loans) could change if you receive other aid after receipt of your Award Notification.

Q. Can I charge books at WIU?
A. It is not permissible to charge books at this time. Therefore, you must be prepared to pay for books by cash, credit card or check.

Q. What if my financial aid is not enough to pay for my bill?
A. There are other sources of aid parents and students may consider:

Q. My family has an unusual circumstance and income for next year will be reduced.
A. Check the Special Circumstance Forms on our website. If one applies to you or your parent, print out and complete the form, and mail to the Financial Aid Office. You may also contact the Financial Aid Office by phone and ask to speak with an advisor.

Q. I would like to work in a campus job. Who do I contact?
A. Check advertised job listings by choosing Employment on the Financial Aid Web page. Contact information is listed for each job. Job listings for the fall semester will be posted August 1 (or Monday if August 1 falls on a weekend). Students may contact individual WIU offices or off-campus employers for possible job opportunities that are not listed here.

Federal Work Study (FWS): Federal Work Study will be included on your Award Notification if you are eligible and funds are available. Eligibility is based on your enrollment of six (6) hours or more each semester, financial eligibility, cost of attendance, the date you filed your FAFSA and the availability of funds. If you are offered a FWS job by a campus department and you do not have a FWS award, the department may contact the Student Employment Office to verify eligibility and request that your name be put on a waiting list.

Regular Student Employment (RSE): To be eligible to work on campus during the regular academic year, a student must be enrolled for six (6) hours or more each semester for fall and spring and three (3) hours or more for summer. International students must be enrolled full-time (12 hrs. for undergraduate students or 9 hrs. for graduate students), unless otherwise cleared by the International Student Advisor/U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for less than full-time enrollment, to maintain their status in the United States. Audit classes do not count.

Q. Are there any tools I can use to help budget for the semester?
A. Student Semester Budget Worksheet (Excel format)
Student Monthly Budget Worksheet (Excel format)
These worksheets are interactive and can be used by students to budget their income and expenses. Also, see other Financial Tools on our website.

Q. What is Satisfactory Progress and how do I know if I have a problem?
A. WIU is required by state and federal regulations to consider academic progress before financial aid is awarded. Academic progress is measured based upon the total hours attempted and earned in the prior academic year.

If you have a Satisfactory Progress problem, you will receive an e-mail from the Financial Aid Office. The e-mail will contain instructions on how to submit your appeal on-line.

Q. How much will my bill be?
A. For a breakdown of the current tuition and fees, please visit the Billing & Receivables website.

Q. Is there a list of commonly asked financial aid questions?
A.Yes, please visit the Question of the Week.