Sources of Aid

Grants

Grants - Funds that do not need to be repaid. The only application needed for these programs is the (FAFSA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Federal Pell Grant is a program available to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who are in a degree program. Pell Grant is the basis to which other aid programs may be added. For more information see Section 10A in the Handbook.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students in a degree program with exceptional financial need. Funds are very limited with priority given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants.
State MAP Grant is one of Western's major sources of funds for undergraduate students. MAP grants can only be applied toward tuition and fees. For more information see Section 10B-1 in the Handbook.

Academic Competitiveness Grants (Freshmen)

Academic Competitiveness Grant - $750 award for freshmen.

To qualify for the grant, one must meet all of the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen
Pell Grant Eligible
Full-time Student (12 or more hours)
Completed high school after January 1, 2006
Not have been enrolled in a program of undergraduate education while in high school.
Completed with passing grades a high school program of at least the following courses:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of Math (including Algebra I and a higher level course such as Algebra II, Geometry, or Data Analysis and Statistics
- 3 years of Science (including at least two courses from Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
- 3 years of Social Studies
- 1 year of Foreign Language
  or
- In high school have taken 2 Advanced Placement or 2 International Baccalaureate courses with a minimum passing score of 3 or 4 respectively.
Have a GPA > 3.0 on college course work when sophomore status attained

An estimated award will be assumed for freshmen who are Pell Grant recipients. Do not count on this award until a final high school transcript is reviewed (normally during the fall term). If you know that you do not qualify for the assumed award based on the above listed criteria, please let us know by contacting us Financial-Aid@wiu.edu.

Academic Competitiveness Grants (Sophomores)

These are awards up to $1300 for students with 30 - 59 hours of college credit who meet the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen
Pell Grant Eligible
Full-time Student (12 or more hours)
Completed high school after January 1, 2005
Completed a "rigorous" high school program defined of at least completing the following with passing grades:
- 4 years of English
- 3 Years of Math (including Algebra I and a higher level course such as Algebra II, Geometry, or Data Analysis and Statistics
- 3 Years of Science (including at least two courses from Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- 3 years of Social Studies
- 1 year of Foreign Language
  or
- in high school having taken:
  2 Advanced Placement, or
  2 International Baccalaureate courses with a minimum passing score of 3 or 4 respectively.
Have a GPA > 3.0 on college course work when sophomore status attained.

National SMART Grant (Juniors and Seniors)

National SMART Grant program with awards up to $4,000 annually for junior and senior students who meet the following criteria:

Pell Grant Eligible
U.S. Citizen
Full-time Student (12 or more hours per semester)
One Award for each of the 3rd (60-89 hours) and 4th years (90 - 120 hours)
3.0 GPA (monitored by semester)
Each term enroll in at least one course required for major
Enrolled in Department of Education (DE) approved Field of Study
- Approved Field of Studies at Western:
  Computer and Information Sciences, General
  Biology/ Biological Sciences, General
  Mathematics, General
  Meteorology
  Chemistry, General
  Chemistry, Forensic
  Geology, Earth Science, General
  Physics, General
  Industrial Technology/ Technician
  Manufacturing Technology/ Technician
  Mathematics and Computer Science.
- List of DE approved Fields of Study

*The only application needed for these programs is the (FAFSA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

WIU Title IV School Code 001780