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Understanding Your Award Letter

Once your FAFSA has been reviewed (along with any additional documentation that was required or requested), an award letter will be issued. You will receive a notification at your WIU email account that your award letter is available to view on STARS. When you log on to STARS, select "Financial Aid Information" from the STARS drop-down menu. Then choose the academic year you wish to view. Finally, select "View Award Letter".

Understanding Your Award Letter

The purpose of your award letter is to inform you of your financial aid eligibility for the school year. NOTE: If the State of Illinois MAP Grant is not included on your award letter, you are not eligible for the grant at Western Illinois University. Please see the Handbook & Policies for additional information.

Keep in mind that your awards may be adjusted later if:

  • Your enrollment is less than full-time (minimum enrollment for loans is six hours).
  • You receive aid not included on a previous award letter.
  • Funding allocations change, particularly regarding state/federal resources.

Your award letter contains instructions and other beneficial information you need to know, so always review the entire notification. In addition, returning students should regularly track their federal student loan history online using the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) - use the information provided by NSLDS to help maintain your outstanding debt and calculate your future repayment amounts.

Here is an example award letter with some items to keep in mind:

Western Illinois University
Financial Aid Office * 1 University Circle * Macomb, IL 61455
PHONE: 309-298-2446 * FAX: 309-298-2353
Email: financial-aid@wiu.edu * Web: www.wiu.edu/fa
YOUR NAME HERE
XXX - XX - XXXX
If you have received multiple or revised award letters, make sure you are viewing the most recent version. 15 MAY, 2013
Check that you are viewing the correct academic year as listed on your award letter (i.e. 2012-13 is for Fall 2012 & Spring 2013) 2013-14 FINANCIAL AID AWARD NOTIFICATION
 
 
FEDERAL WORK STUDY
FEDERAL PELL GRANT
WIU COMMITMENT SCHOLARSHIP
FEDERAL SUBSIDIZED LOAN
FEDERAL UNSUBSIDIZED LOAN
This column shows the award amount you will receive for the fall semester. Fall
(full time)
$ 1,000
$ 2,822
$ 1000
$ 1,750
$ 1,000
This column shows the award amount you will receive for the spring semester. Spring
(full time)
$ 1,000
$ 2,823
$ 1000
$ 1,750
$ 1,000
This column shows the total award for the full academic year Total
 
$ 2,000
$ 5,645
$ 2,000
$ 3,500
$ 2,000
TOTAL AID AWARDED:
This shows your Total Aid Awarded for the fall semester. $ 7,572
This shows your Total Aid Awarded for the spring semester. $ 7,573
This shows your Total Aid Awarded for the full academic year $15,145
STUDENT LOAN INFORMATION:

-- Sign a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note. E-sign at www.studentloans.gov. REQUIRED if you want loan
-- Student loans must be repaid; do not borrow more than is necessary. You may reduce or cancel your loan(s) on the "View Financial Awards" page on STARS.
New for 2013-14 , estimated total federal student loan Debt. -- Your estimated Federal Student Loan Debt is $15,000 . For the most recent loan information including interest go to www.nslds.ed.gov
When it comes to financial aid, you are responsible for doing more than just completing your FAFSA! Make sure to thoroughly read your award letter, review our website, and contact our office with any questions IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO:
-- Activate your WIU email account and check regularly for updates.
-- Earn credit for at least 67% of your hours attempted and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to remain eligible for financial aid. Read the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy in Handbook & Policies section at www.wiu.edu/fa.
-- Read Aid Process/Disbursement Reminders and all Policies information on our web site.
-- Notify our office of any grants, scholarships, or loans not included above. (Adjustments to above aid may be required).
-- Know that students enrolled in independent study, on-line, or extension courses and/or graduate students taking undergraduate hours may require aid adjustments based on actual enrollment.
-- Email the Financial Aid Office if you will not attend WIU in 2013-14.
Some estimated University expenses are shown for the upcoming school year. Your expected financial aid is subtracted from these estimated expenses. Use this to help anticipate any remaining "out of pocket" cost that the student will be reponsible for paying. Estimate Your 2013-14 Estimated Out Of Pocket Expenses*
 
Tuition & fees (15 hours per term/in-state)
Room & board (based on double room rate)*
       (Substitute $4,858 each term for single room)
Fall
$5,464
$4,764
Spring
$5,465
$4,763
Total
$10,929
$9,527
SUBTRACT aid from above
$7,572
$7,573
$15,145
The estimated portion of your bill that will not be covered by financial aid that you, the student, will be responsible for paying Total estimated out of pocket expense
*Does not include residence hall charges: ResNet, Readership
The estimated portion of your bill that will not be covered by financial aid that you, the student, will be responsible for paying $2,656
The estimated portion of your bill that will not be covered by financial aid that you, the student, will be responsible for paying $2,655
The estimated portion of your bill that will not be covered by financial aid that you, the student, will be responsible for paying $5,311
Estimated Parent Loan Eligibility (PLUS)
If your parent chooses to apply for a Parent PLUS loan and is approved, this is the estimated amounts you would receive in addition to the aid listed above for the fall semester. $ 5,024
If your parent chooses to apply for a Parent PLUS loan and is approved, this is the estimated amounts you would receive in addition to the aid listed above for the spring semester $ 5,024
If your parent chooses to apply for a Parent PLUS loan and is approved, this is the estimated amounts you would receive in addition to the aid listed above for the total for the full academic year $ 10,048
After June 1, your parent may apply online for a PLUS at www.studentloans.gov. Your parent will need their FAFSA pin number to begin the application process.
Purchase of books requires payment by cash, check, or credit card. Be prepared to pay for books from your own personal resources. Refunds from financial aid are not always available, and books cannot be charged to your student accountEstimate $600 per semester for books. You may also have additional expenses throughout the year (telephone charges,lab fees, extra food points).

*The Billing and Receivables Office web site at www.wiu.edu/billing provides additional information. Select:
-- The Cost Estimator can provide you with a more accurate estimate of your anticipated costs based on your individual information (compared to estimates above)Cost Estimator -- expected cost based on your enrollment plans
-- Billing Information -- explanation of your University bill.
-- Payment Methods -- options to pay your university account.