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WIU Home > Student Success > Financial Aid

The mission of the Western Illinois University Office of Financial Aid is to provide all students and their families with resources for success through efficient and timely customer service, equitable disbursement of financial awards, and educational programming related to financial literacy. Through these actions, our goal is to maintain a positive environment that will help create opportunities for equal access to post-secondary education and increase student retention.

Important Fall 2024 Financial Aid Information

1. Check your WIU email frequently for notifications from the Financial Aid Office.
2. FAFSA application and other submissions received in August will be considered in date order beginning in September due to the volume of processing in August.
3. Set up a Parent and Guest Account on STARS if you want a parent or other person to be able to see your financial aid information on STARS or to talk with Financial Aid staff about your aid.
4. Important dates in August:
• 5^th – first day to utilize book awards and/or ChargeIt! via the University Bookstore
• 6^th - first day Fall charges can display on B/R Account Detail.
• 7^th - Billings Office emails the first monthly bill for Fall. 
• 30^th – last day to waive student health insurance
• 30^th – last day 100% credit (10^th day)
5. Important dates in September:
• 3^rd –first round of financial aid released
• 5^th - first day for direct deposit of refunds from Billings if you have more aid than allowable costs. 
6. Check Financial Aid Information on STARS to:
• See if information is needed to complete the review of your FAFSA application.
• See your Financial Aid Award Offer.
• See if you need to sign a Master Promissory Note (http://www.studentaid.gov)
• See if you need to complete Entrance Counseling (http://www.studentaid.gov)
• See current financial aid awards.  Actual awards may adjust nightly if your enrollment changes.
• Cancel or reduce any of your loans.  Reductions requested after August 1^st may take up to 10-15 business days to process and may delay your loan disbursement.
7. Check B/R Account Detail on STARS for information from Billing and Receivables Office to:
• Confirm when aid has been credited to your university account.  Aid may adjust nightly if you add or drop courses and your tuition and fees change.
• Confirm when a refund disbursement has been initiated.  Allow 2 business days for direct deposit to personal account.
8. Talent/Athletic awards are credited as soon as notification is received from the department. If your award is not credited, you may contact the awarding department.
9. Illinois National Guard and Illinois Veteran grants are credited as soon as the information is provided by ISAC.  If your award does not appear on your account, you may contact ISAC at 1-800-899-4722.
10. The WIU Foundation Office applies outside scholarships to the billing account as they are received.  If you have a check from an outside scholarship, take it to the WIU Foundation Office in Sherman Hall 303.
11. Wanting to work?  For employment information, go to www.wiu.edu/studentemployment. 
12. Repeating a course?  See information about the Financial Aid Policy for Repeated Courses at http://www.wiu.edu/student_services/financial_aid/policies/RepeatedCoursework.php .
13. Grades matter!  See information about the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy at http://www.wiu.edu/student_services/financial_aid/policies/progress.php.

New Student Financial Aid Portal Launch

WIU Student Financial Aid Portal

In an effort to modernize and automate financial aid management at Western Illinois University, as well as improve the process for students, Western has partnered with Regent Education Group to implement a new financial aid management solution.

The updated Financial Aid Portal will allow students to quickly access all financial aid tools in a single click and easily see items that require your attention in order to keep your application and financial aid process moving.

You can access the financial aid portal by visiting: WIU Student Financial Aid Portal. Sign in using your WIU ECom username/password (same sign in as WIU email). If you have not activated your WIU email, please click here to Activate your ECom Account.

Quick Notes
 - Our new Financial Aid Portal is for the FY2024-25 academic year. Prior years and current Summer information will still be accessed via your STARS page.
 - Not all features of the Portal are active since FY25 is not yet active. Currently it is intended for giving students a quick and easy means to upload their documentation, verify, and see the status of their aid.
 - If you have previously sent us documentation you expected to see on your Financial Aid Portal, please go ahead and upload it again using the new system for quickest results. While we try to have our records transfer process as complete as possible, with so many students it's difficult to guarantee. Please help us by using the portal first.

For further questions related to the Financial Aid portal, please contact us.

Financial Aid Videos & Webinars

WIU Financial Aid Youtube Channel

If you're having trouble completing your FAFSA or understanding your financial aid, check out these webinars by MEFA! These webinars will cover topics like how to file the FAFSA, what types of errors to avoid when filing the FAFSA, and the types of aid you could receive. Also check out their blog for more FAQs on financial aid eligiblity, how to become an independent student, and more!

Leatherneck Launchpad

The Leatherneck Launchpad video series provides in-depth answers to questions you might have as you begin your journey as a Leatherneck. In these videos you can hear from campus experts on topics like paying for college, life on campus, transfer student insights, student conduct and much more. These videos are helpful regardless of what stage you're in; prospective students, current students or even Alumni can watch and learn more about WIU!

Leatherneck Launchpad

Sallie Mae - Financial Aid HACKED

An engaging and easy to understand video series provided on Sallie Mae's Youtube Channel.

Inceptia’s 2023 edition of Great Advice for Parents

Free resource published annually (now in it's 8th year) to provide high school students and families with timely and relevant college prep information.

With continued partnership with NerdWallet, allows Great Advice to feature a variety of topics, ranging from the new FAFSA simplification changes, to determining the value of a college degree, to managing your money in college, and more!

Great Advice For Parents - 2023 Edition

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