Federal Aid
Federal Student Aid at Western consists of Pell grants, Direct loans, and Parent Plus Loans. To qualify for federal financial aid, students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Western's school code is: 003933. Watch the following video to view the types of Federal Student Aid Available. If you are planning on attending Western, make sure you have submitted your FAFSA at least 6-8 weeks before the semester begins. The steps below with allow you to be financially prepared, before the semester begins.
Federal Pell Grant: This grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's, or professional degree. The maximum annual award amount varies according to federal Pell charts. The amount a student is eligible to receive is dependent upon the student's EFC (Expected Family Contribution) number determined by the FAFSA, and enrollment level each semester. This funding does not have to be paid back, if the student completes their courses.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): This grant is for students with exceptional financial need. This grant is awarded to Pell Grant recipients with the lowest EFC (Expected Family Contribution). It is funding that also does not have to be paid back if courses are completed.
Federal Direct Loans: There are two types of Federal Direct Loans, subsidized and unsubsidized.
Subsidized loans: are loans that begin accruing interest after graduating, leaving school, or dropping below half-time status
Unsubsidized loans: are charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. A student is able to ask their loan servicer to have the interest portion billed to them quarterly. If the student opts to not have the interest portion billed the interest will compound which results in a higher repayment amount.
**All student loans require an Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note(MPN) be completed before funds can be applied, or disbursed onto the student's account.
Grace Period: A student has 6 months after graduating, leaving school, or dropping below half-time status. (Less than 6 credit hours) before the loan goes into repayment. All loans must be repaid.
| Freshmen - <30 credits | Sophomore - 30+ credits | Additional Unsubsidized* | |
| Dependent Student | $3,500 | $4,500 | $2,000 |
| Independent Student | $3,500 | $4,500 | $6,000 |
Maximum Aggregate Loan Amounts (Borrower's Academic Level Sub+Unsub**):
- Dependent Undergraduate: $31,000
- Independent Undergraduate: $57,500
For information on cohort default rates, please click the following links:
- Western Cohort Default Rate
- Type “Western Wyoming Community College” in the “School” field & click Search to display the information.
- National Average Cohort Default Rate
Federal Work Study Program (FWS) - This is an employment opportunity that is need based.
The Federal Workstudy program provides funding for part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need. These part-time jobs are offered on campus, or through a partnership in the community. These are hourly paid jobs with the rate of pay being at least the federal minimum wage. The maximum number of hours allowed is 20 hours per week. You must qualify to work the 20 hours some students are not eligible for the full 20 hours.
Need is determined using the cost of attendance, minus the EFC (Effective Family Contribution) from the FAFSA, minus all other aid.
If you would like to know if you qualify for Federal Work Study, please check with the Financial Aid Office located in Mustang Central.
If you meet the eligibility requirements for Federal Work Study and decide to participate, you will be required to complete a job application online.