2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog/Student Handbook 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog/Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Financial Aid



The primary purpose of the Financial Aid office at Westfield State University is to assist eligible students in meeting their educational expenses through a variety of federal, state, institutional and private programs. Assistance can be in the form of gift aid (grants and scholarships) and self-help programs (loans and work-study). The financial Aid Office serves to assist students throughout the financial aid process.

For additional information, call (413) 572-5218, e-mail financialaid@westfield.ma.edu or visit westfield.ma.edu/financialaid.

Policies And Criteria

The policies and criteria for awarding financial aid are as follows:

  1. The philosophy of financial aid is that the family has the responsibility to meet as much of the educational costs of their children as is reasonably possible. Financial Aid is a supplement to the family resources.
  2. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed before March 1st in order to receive priority consideration. FAFSAs submitted after the deadline will be considered on a funds-available basis. The most efficient way to file the FAFSA is electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Before you complete the FAFSA, it is important to obtain a PIN number for both the student and the parent. You can request a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. The PIN will be sent to your e-mail address. Please protect your PIN by keeping it in a safe place.
  3. In addition to the FAFSA, students may be required to submit appropriate parent and student income verification to the Financial Aid Office.
  4. Financial aid awards are not renewed automatically. Students must reapply for aid each year.

Satisfactory Academic Progress and Financial Aid

Full-time students must be enrolled for at least 12 credits each semester. This determination is made at the end of the ADD/DROP period each semester. Financial Aid awards are adjusted proportionately by credits carried for those in part-time attendance through the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education.

Students must make satisfactory academic progress toward an undergraduate degree by successfully completing at least 21 graduation credits each academic year (only 10.5 credits if enrolled for one semester during that academic year). Westfield State University has two special admission opportunities, the Learning Disabilities Program and the Urban Education Program. Students enrolled through either program are held to a standard of 18 graduation credits each year (only 9 credits if enrolled for one semester during that academic year). The maximum time frame to complete an undergraduate degree cannot exceed 150% of the published length of the program. For instance, if the published length of an academic program is 120 credit hours, the maximum time frame in which to complete the program could not exceed 180 attempted credit hours (120 x 1.5). These standards are adjusted proportionately for those students in part-time attendance through the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education. Credits are awarded for a course grade of D or better. Day students who fail to meet this requirement at the end of the spring semester will be notified by the Financial Aid Office and will be ineligible for financial aid for the next academic year. However, students who are deficient in credits may use the summer following the academic year to earn additional credits to meet the satisfactory progress standard.

Appeals regarding satisfactory academic progress and financial aid eligibility may be submitted in writing to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee, attention Catherine Ryan. Financial Aid for approved appeals will be awarded as funding allows.

Federal Programs

Westfield State University participates in the following federal programs: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work Study (FWS), Federal Direct Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized), and Federal Direct PLUS.

State Programs

Westfield State University participates in the following state programs: Mass Grant, Mass Cash Grant, and Financial Aid Tuition Waiver.

Institutional and Private

Programs Westfield State University offers a variety of Institutional Grants and Scholarships annually, which are credited toward college expenses. The Institutional Grants are based on academic merit or financial need and the Institutional Scholarships are based on academic merit and community service.