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Students Finding WIU is the Right Choice for Success: Fall 2018 Acceptances Up

January 29, 2018

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MACOMB/MOLINE -- As the college selection process is well underway for many high school seniors (and even some juniors and sophomores), the number of accepted students at Western Illinois University is on the rise.

According to Seth Miner, director of WIU Admissions, the University has recently seen a 15 percent increase in accepted students compared to this time last year. Miner attributes this positive turn in part to numerous initiatives, including the WIU Office of Financial Aid staff's swift processing of financial aid award letters. Financial Aid has been processing 2018-2019 FAFSAs and sending award letters to incoming students on a regular basis since early November 2017. This allows students - and their families - to make informed decisions in regard to paying for college as the award letters outline Western's automatic scholarships and other financial awards available.

"The Admissions Office staff also works very quickly to ensure that students who apply receive notification within a few days regarding their acceptance. This allows us to communicate 'next steps' information in the application process so they can complete scholarship applications, housing applications and registration," Miner said. "Prospective students and their parents expect almost immediate responses to inquiries, and we provide that customer service they have come to expect."

Those accepted students from the local region (10-county area surrounding WIU-Macomb), as well as those from the Chicagoland and St. Louis regions, have been invited to take part in welcome receptions this month and next month to get a more in-depth and personal look at Western. Miner added that the number of students attending the Jan. 28 St. Louis welcome reception was the largest number registered for the event than ever before. Students can still register for the local welcome receptions at wiu.edu/presidentsreception.

"Our proactive approach helps guide these prospective students through the admissions process," he noted. "When students apply, they are connected with an Admissions counselor and he or she is that student's point of contact throughout the process. They always have someone to turn to when they need answers."

New freshmen who submit all application materials for admission, by May 15, are automatically considered for Western Commitment Scholarships. No separate scholarship application is required to be considered for a Western Commitment Scholarship. Students must have an ACT score of 20 or higher (SAT of 950 and higher) and a grade point average of 3.0 or higher to qualify. Miner added that the average GPA of accepted freshmen to date is 3.2, so these students would qualify - presuming qualifying ACT and SAT scores - for an automatic Western Commitment Scholarship.

For example, a student with an ACT of 20 (SAT of 1020) and a minimum 3.0 GPA will automatically receive $1,000 each semester (provided the student meets requirements throughout his/her four years).

"Western Commitment Scholarships will cover up to the entire direct costs (tuition, fees, room, and meal plan) above federal grants, state grants, federal loan eligibility and tuition waivers," Miner explained. "The Western Commitment Scholarship does not reduce student's eligible grants. Western is dedicated to providing an affordable and accessible education to our students, and the Commitment Scholarship program is just one part of ensuring an affordable college education."

For more information, or to apply, visit wiu.edu/admissions, call (888) PICKWIU or email admissions@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing