The Right Choice for Your Success

The Western Way

Four Years, $0 Tuition or Fees*

Helping you unleash your potential is our purpose. That is the Western Way.

Through support from the State of Illinois’ AIM HIGH Western Commitment Program, the Western Way offers a path to an unparalleled educational experience. Incoming new students meeting eligibility and renewal requirements are guaranteed to have their tuition costs and mandatory fees covered. For freshmen, the award will cover eight consecutive semesters, and for transfers, it will cover four consecutive semesters. WIU is helping ensure there are no financial barriers for qualifying students. This is the Western Way.

*How do I qualify?

To qualify, you must:

  1. Be admitted to WIU as an incoming first-time or transfer student and take a minimum of 12 credit hours. The award will fund up to a maximum of 15 credit hours.
  2. Receive State of Illinois AIM HIGH Western Commitment or Transfer Commitment award and meet eligibility for federal financial aid.
  3. Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  4. Be a resident of Illinois who graduated from an Illinois high school with at least one parent who is also a resident of Illinois, as listed on your FAFSA.
  5. Have an annual family income of less than $81,000 with zero assets based on your FAFSA.
  6. Awards will be made for qualifying students until funding runs out.
  7. For renewal after the first year, maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA and continue meeting the criteria indicated above.

What is covered?

Eligible students will receive a financial aid package that provides scholarship and grant funding to cover the full cost of tuition and mandatory campus fees not covered by other federal, state, institutional, and private awards, including the Federal Pell Grant and the State of Illinois MAP Grant. Students may be considered for additional financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, and employment) to cover other educational expenses such as food and housing, books and supplies, and personal/miscellaneous expenses.

The Western Way does not cover housing and dining, books and supplies, course fees, study abroad, internship, or other student expenses.

How do I apply?

Apply for admission and complete the FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid to be considered for the Western Way.

The Western Way program begins with the Summer/Fall 2024 semester.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to apply?

Funding is limited, so students should apply for admission to WIU and file a FAFSA or alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. The Western Way consideration deadline aligns with the AIM HIGH Western Commitment and Transfer Commitment application deadlines. The priority deadline for consideration for Fall 2024 is May 15, 2024.

What are the eligibility requirements?

To qualify, you must:

  1. Be admitted to WIU as an incoming first-time or transfer student and take a minimum of 12 credit hours. The award will fund up to a maximum of 15 credit hours.
  2. Receive State of Illinois AIM HIGH Western Commitment or Transfer Commitment award and meet eligibility for federal financial aid.
  3. Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  4. Be a resident of Illinois who graduated from an Illinois high school with at least one parent who is also a resident of Illinois, as listed on your FAFSA.
  5. Have an annual family income of less than $81,000 with zero assets based on your FAFSA.
  6. For renewal after the first year, maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA and continue meeting the criteria indicated above.

Are current WIU students eligible for the Western Way?

The Western Way is only available for first-time, incoming freshman and transfer students.

Are new transfer students eligible?

Yes.

Who is eligible to complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid?

What costs are covered my freshman year?

Eligible students will receive a financial aid package that provides scholarship and grant funding to cover the full cost of tuition and mandatory campus fees not covered by other federal, state, institutional, and private awards, including the Federal Pell Grant and the State of Illinois MAP Grant. Students may be considered for additional financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, and employment) to cover other educational expenses such as food and housing, books and supplies, and personal/miscellaneous expenses.

What expenses are not covered?

The Western Way does not cover housing and dining, books and supplies, course fees, study abroad, internship, or other student expenses.

How are the income and asset thresholds evaluated?

The FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid is utilized.

What are the renewal criteria?

For renewal after the first year, maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA and continue meeting the criteria indicated in the program's qualifications above.

I will be a student-athlete. Can I receive the Western Way?

If you receive an athletic scholarship from WIU or are a non-scholarship roster athlete, your eligibility for all institutional aid must be determined by NCAA rules that supersede other WIU grants and scholarships.