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.

Quick Links

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants (freshmen)
Academic Competitiveness (Sophomores)
National SMART (Juniors and Seniors)
Teach Grant Program

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants (freshmen)

Academic Competitiveness Grant - up to $750 award for freshmen. To qualify for the grant, one must meet all of the following criteria:

Pell Grant Eligible
6 or more hours of enrollment
Completed high school after January 1, 2006
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.

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:

Pell Grant Eligible
6 or more hours of enrollment
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 at least a 3.0 G.P.A. on college course work

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
6 or more hours of enrollment
One Award for each of the 3rd (60-89 hours) and 4th years (90 hours and above)
3.0 GPA (monitored by semester)
Must be enrolled in at least one course each semester that applies to major
Enrolled in Department of Education (DE) approved Field of Study
- Western's approved Field of Studies:
  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
  Foreign Languages- French, German, Spanish
  Pre-Engineering/Engineering
  Telecommunications Management
- List of DE approved Fields of Study

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

Teach Grant Program

The Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year for WIU students committed to teaching full-time in high-need subject areas* for at least four years at schools serving students from low-income families as defined by the federal government.

TEACH Grant recipients who do not complete the teaching requirement within a specified time or fail to meet other program requirements must repay the grant as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

*The following WIU majors qualify as 'High Need Fields' for Federal Teach Grant:

Undergraduate

Special Education
Science
Math
Foreign Language or Bilingual Education

Graduate

Reading Specialist
Special Education

Additional requirements include:

Full acceptance to Teacher Education Program (TEP)
3.25 cumulative GPA
Current year FAFSA filed

If you believe TEACH is right for you complete the TEACH Grant Initial Counseling and Agreement To Serve to apply. If you are eligible you will receive official notification from the Financial Aid Office by WIU e-mail.

Please visit the Teach Grant website for more information regarding eligibility or contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.

WIU Title IV School Code 001780