Financial Aid Checklist
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Apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN)
If you already have a PIN, you do not need to create a new one
Apply at www.pin.ed.gov
Students and Parents have individual PINs
A PIN is needed to electronically sign the federal student aid documents
Validation takes approximately 3-5 business days
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Apply now for 2014- 2015 at www.fafsa.ed.gov
Apply after January 1st and annually for all following semesters
Processing takes approximately 3-5 business days; filing a paper application or submitting incomplete
applications increase processing time
All financial aid awards are divided in half for each semester. Financial aid awards will offer maximum loan eligibility,
however you can accept a partial amount. Expect processing of each step to take 3-5 business days.
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Receive Financial Aid Package from Western Student Financial Services
You must be an admitted student for Western to process your financial aid request
This package will include all qualifying Federal Student Loans
Incoming students will receive a paper award; continuing students will receive an email notification
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Accept, modify, or decline student loans.
Log-in to MyWestern account
Click on ‘Financial Aid’ at the top of the page
Click on ‘Award’
Click on ‘Award by Aid Year’
From the drop down menu select ‘2014-2015 Academic Year’ then click ‘Submit’
Select the far right tab titled ‘Accept Award Offer’
Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) are required to receive federal student loans. If you have
completed Entrance Counseling and a MPN for Western, you do not need to complete the steps below.
Complete Entrance Counseling at www.studentloans.gov
Complete the electronic MPN at www.studentloans.gov
If you need additional funding beyond your Unsubsidized Loan options your can apply for a Grad PLUS loan, additional steps
REQUIRED before a Grad PLUS loan will be processed. A Grad Plus Loan MPN is required to receive this loan. Apply after July
1st for the 2014-2015 aid year
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You must apply for Grad PLUS Loan at www.studentloans.gov
Sign in with your information, including your PIN number
This is a credit based loan so a credit check will be completed
Click on ‘Request a PLUS loan’, then ‘Grad PLUS’
Complete application
o Specify loan amount or select ‘maximum’ loan amount
Complete the Electronic Master Promissory Note at www.studentloans.gov
Private loans may be an option if your financial aid does not cover your expenses at Western. If this is an option, contact your
Financial Aid Counselor to determine a loan request amount.
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Apply for a Private Loan with Lender
Choose a lender; submit loan application
Once application has been submitted by lender; processing takes approximately 3 weeks
ONLY if requested, complete following items.
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Verification – must be COMPLETE in order to receive federal financial aid if requested
This is a RANDOM review process verifying the accuracy of your financial aid application (FAFSA)
Fill out the 2014-2015 Institutional Verification Form; earlier aid year forms will not be accepted
Submit Federal 2012 tax transcripts- Two options to submit tax transcripts
o IRS Data Retrieval Tool on FAFSA application
o Order paper IRS Tax Transcript from the IRS office www.irs.gov or 1-800-908-9946
Processing of verification will take a minimum of 2 weeks
Additional information may be requested; contact Student Financial Services if selected for verification
If you have accepted loans, or were selected for verification
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To View Requirements Online
Log-in to MyWestern
Click on ‘Financial Aid’ at the top of the page
Click on ‘Eligibility’
Student requirements will list all requested and pending documentation; links to documents will be
available.
Below you will find information on all aspects of Billing:
Check Your Account Balance Online
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Log-in to MyWestern
Click on ‘Student & Financial Aid Menu’
Click on ‘Financial Service and Billing’
Click on ‘Account Summary by Term’
Especially helpful after changes are made to your account such as:
Adding / Dropping Classes
Changing Meal Plans
Changes to Housing
Financial Aid Disbursement Dates Each Semester (ten days before the first day of class)
Set Up W-Pay (Western’s Payment Plan)
Allows you to pay your account balance in four installments for an enrollment fee of $40.00 per semester
 Log-in to MyWestern
 Click on ‘Student & Financial Aid Menu’
 Click on ‘Financial Service and Billing’
 Click on ‘Account Summary by Term’
 Scroll to the bottom and click on ‘Manage My Student Account’
 Look under ‘Installment Payment Plans’ (middle right)
 ‘Click here to enroll in the Spring payment plan’
PLEASE READ:
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Payments not received by the above dates are subject to $50 per month late fee for every month that your
account is delinquent. There is no grace period for these payments.
We recommend that you set up W-Pay between August 15th (when financial aid will be applied to your account)
and August 25 (payment deadline) for the Spring 2014 semester.
Enrollment in AutoPay is NOT automatic. If you would like to have the payments charged to your credit card on
the above dates, you must click on the AutoPay link when you set up W-Pay each semester.
The first payment (25% of Account Balance plus $40.00 Enrollment Fee) is due when you set up W-Pay.
If you do not set up W-Pay by January 13, 2014, you will be subject to dis-enrollment since we assume you are
not attending.
Please check your Western email for monthly payment reminders in the form of eBills.
Pay Your Bill Online
 Log-in to MyWestern
 Click on ‘Student & Financial Aid Menu’
 Click on ‘Financial Services and Billing’
 Click on ‘Account Summary by Term’
 Scroll all the way to the bottom of the next page and click on ‘Pay My Bill’
On the Western ePayment Site:
Use the link under ‘Installment Payment Plans’ if you ARE enrolled in Payment Plan
OR
Use the link under ‘Your Bills’ if you ARE NOT enrolled in the Payment Plan
Set Up a Third-party Account
Allows parents (and other third parties) access to your financial information and ability to make payments on your behalf
 Log-in to MyWestern
 Click on ‘Student & Financial Aid Menu’
 Click on ‘Financial Service and Billing’
 Click on ‘Account Summary by Term’
 Scroll to the bottom and click on ‘Manage My Student Account’
 Go under Parent PINs and click on ‘Add New’
Enroll in eRefund (Electronic Refund)
Sends excess funds (financial aid, scholarships and other payments exceeding charges for the semester) electronically to the
bank account of your choice
 Have your bank routing number and account number ready
 Log-in to MyWestern
 Click on ‘Student & Financial Aid Menu’
 Click on ‘Financial Service and Billing’
 Click on ‘Account Summary by Term’
 Scroll to the bottom and click on ‘Manage My Student Account’
 Go under eRefund (middle left) and click on ‘Click here to enroll in eRefund’
 Processing takes 7-10 business days to verify bank information for E-Refund
For more information contact Kyle Waller at kwaller@western.edu or (970) 943-3028.