Types of Financial Aid Programs & Requirements
Scholarships
WSU Institutional Scholarships:
Scholarships may include general scholarship awards through the OFA, awards through
your academic college/department, or awards through other on-campus groups. Institutional
scholarships generally require full-time enrollment and at least a 3.0 minimum GPA,
unless otherwise specified by the donor or program guidelines. It is the responsibility
of the recipient to review the guidelines and expectations of each awarded scholarship
prior to accepting disbursement of the scholarship funds.
The total amount of scholarships awarded by Wichita State cannot exceed the estimated
Cost of Attendance found on your Financial Aid award overview. Institutional scholarships
and/or federal financial aid and/or state aid may be modified as necessary. If you
fall below the required hours of enrollment during the 100% tuition refund period,
your awards will be withdrawn. If you drop courses within designated WSU refund periods,
your refund will be used to repay a portion or all of your scholarship(s).
After the WSU refund period, if you fail to meet the requirements of your awarded
scholarship(s), you may be required to repay your scholarship(s), have adjustments
made to future scholarship awards and/or have your scholarships completely withdrawn.
Renewal of any award is subject to the renewal criteria for the program and the availability
of funds within the program. Scholarships in excess of tuition, fees, and required
books and supplies may qualify as taxable income. Please consult your tax advisor
for details.
Scholarships are provided to students through the generosity of private donors to
the Wichita State Foundation, as well as through generous contributions to Wichita
State provided by various on and off-campus organizations. You may receive requests
to acknowledge this financial support in the form of a written “thank you” and/or
requests to participate in events where you can meet and thank donors in person. Instructions
and/or invitations will be sent to you based on your specific award. We strongly urge
you to take the time to honor these requests. It means a great deal to our donors
to know their contributions are truly appreciated.
Outside Scholarships:
Most outside scholarships are made payable to Wichita State or are co-payable to Wichita
State and you as the student. All checks need to be sent to the OFA as soon as possible.
Please be sure to endorse the check if it is co-payable. These outside funds will
be added to your student account as a resource. They will first be applied against
any outstanding charges, and any credit balance will then be refunded to you. The
OFA cannot process scholarship checks made payable to students only.
International Student Scholarships:
Important Income Tax Information for nonresident aliens: Wichita State is required
to report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scholarship awards that exceed the
cost of required tuition and fees for each semester and withhold amounts to cover
income tax payments. Tax withholding may be waived if you can claim a tax treaty exemption
and submits IRS Form W-8BEN to Wichita State.
Institutional Awards
Sedgwick County Access Grant:
This grant is designed to assist full-time, need-based undergraduate students with
standard tuition and fees. Eligible students must be a resident of Sedgwick County,
be Pell-Grant-eligible, and have remaining financial need up to tuition costs, after
other gift aid, to receive priority consideration. Awards range from $250 to $4,000
per academic year. You must be enrolled full time at the end of the Financial Aid Recalculation Date to receive these funds. Renewal is subject to maintaining a 2.5 minimum overall
and semester GPA and enrolling in and successfully completing at least 12 credit hours
each semester (fall and spring). The grant is awarded for a total of four consecutive
academic years (excluding summers) – or – to the point where you earn your first bachelor’s
degree, whichever comes first. This program was sunset in 2021-2022.
Shocker Promise Grant:
This grant is designed to assist full-time, Pell-grant-eligible, undergraduate students
with standard tuition and fees. Eligible students must be a Kansas resident, be Pell-Grant-eligible,
have minimal assets, have a qualifying Student Aid Index value, and have remaining
financial need up to tuition costs, after other gift aid, to receive priority consideration.
The Shocker Promise is a 4-year, last-payee scholarship designed to cover remaining
costs associated with your tuition and fees and after applying all other gift aid,
including waivers, scholarships and grants. You must be enrolled full time at the end of the Financial Aid Recalculation Date to receive these funds. Renewal is subject to meeting Financial Aid Satisfactory
Academic Progress and enrolling in and successfully completing at least 24 credit
hours each academic year. The grant is awarded for a total of four consecutive academic
years (excluding summers) – or – to the point where you earn your first bachelor’s
degree, whichever comes first. Additional information on eligibility is available
at wichita.edu/shockerpromise.
Shocker Opportunity Fund:
This fund is intended only as a short-term financial solution for qualifying students
experiencing extreme financial difficulties for the current term. Primary consideration
is related to the payment of tuition and fees, books or other educational expenses.
Consideration will also be given to small, unexpected financial emergencies. Only
undergraduate students in a degree-seeking program, who have exhausted all other forms
of federal financial aid, are eligible; those in non-degree programs need not apply.
Priority consideration will be given to students who are within 24 credits of completing
their first Bachelor’s degree.
State of Kansas Awards
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the priority date to submit the FAFSA for the State
of Kansas is April 1, 2024. The priority date for completing the state application for additional state financial aid is May 1, 2024.
State Scholarships:
The undergraduate scholarships awarded by the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) include:
Kansas State Scholarship, Kansas Military Service Scholarship, Kansas Teacher Service
Scholarship, and Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship.
These awards require full-time enrollment each semester, with the exception of the
Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship and the Kansas Adult Learner Grant, which are based
on actual enrollment, and the Kansas Military Service Scholarship. Renewal of any
award is subject to the renewal criteria for the program and the availability of funds
from the KBOR. Renewal criteria, as well as a list of state aid programs, can be
found here.
Kansas Comprehensive Grant:
This state-funded undergraduate grant awarded by Wichita State is based on need and
requires full-time enrollment. The maximum Kansas Comprehensive Grant is $2,000 per
academic year. You must be enrolled full time at the end of the Financial Aid Recalculation Date to receive these funds.
Federal Programs
You must apply for the federal programs each year by completing the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and sending your results to Wichita State (Federal
School Code: 001950). Your FAFSA results determine your eligibility for each of the
programs listed below.
In addition to the specific program requirements described below, federal financial
aid recipients must meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy requirements. Also, after a course has been completed with a D- or better grade,
future aid for the course is restricted to one additional attempt. This rule applies
regardless of the minimum grade required by the program and regardless of whether
or not you received aid for earlier enrollments in the course.
Federal Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is a need-based grant for undergraduate students who have not yet earned
a bachelor’s degree. The amount of the award is based on full-time enrollment, and
will be reduced if you enroll in fewer credit hours. Federal Student Aid Regulations
for the Pell Grant require that you engage academically in all courses for which Wichita
State disbursed Pell funds. Revisions may occur based on your enrollment at the end
of the Financial Aid Recalculation Date. If your initial aid disbursement, including Pell, is disbursed after the Financial Aid Recalculation Date, the grant will be paid based on the number of hours you are enrolled in on the date
of disbursement. If you add credit hours after your initial Pell has been paid and
after the end of the Financial Aid Recalculation Date, no additional Pell funds can be disbursed.
Eligibility to receive the Pell Grant is contingent on the following: enrollment in
your first undergraduate degree program; U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status;
making Satisfactory Academic Progress; not defaulting on any federal student aid;
not owing a refund on a federal education grant; showing financial need as determined
by the results of the FAFSA; and not previously having earned a bachelor’s degree.
Students who graduate mid-year are not eligible for future Pell grants and will be
required to repay additional Pell payments.
Pell Grant award amounts can change yearly. Approximate annual award limits for the
2024-2025 academic year range from $740 to $7,395. The amount of Pell funds you receive
depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), Cost of Attendance (COA), enrollment
status, and attendance over the course of the full academic year. You cannot receive
Pell funds from more than one school at a time. See the Pell Grant Fact Sheet for
additional details at wichita.edu/finaidforms.
You can only receive Pell Grant funds for a maximum of 12 full-time semesters or its
equivalent (600% lifetime eligibility). This rule applies to all Pell Grant funds
received prior to, on, and after July 1, 2012 and at any college you attend. You
may log in to studentaid.gov using your FSA ID to review your Pell lifetime eligibility used.
General Award Information
Pell Grant award amounts can change every year.
- How much grant aid you receive depends on:
- Your Expected Family Contribution
- Your Cost of Attendance
- Whether you are a full-time or part-time student (as defined by the financial-aid-eligible
credit hours you are enrolled in)
- Whether you attend school for a full academic year
- You may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.
- Students who graduate mid-year are not eligible for future Pell grants and will be
required to repay additional Pell payments.
Annual Eligibility Criteria
- You are enrolled in a regular degree program
- You are a U.S citizen or an eligible noncitizen.
- You are making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- You are not in default on any federal student aid and do not owe a refund on a federal
education grant.
- You show financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA.
- You have NOT previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
Lifetime Pell Grant Limits
Effective as of July 1, 2012, you can only receive Pell Grant funds for a maximum
of 12 full-time semesters or its equivalent (600% lifetime eligibility).
This rule applies to all Pell Grant funds received prior to, on, and after July 1,
2012 at any institution you attend. The U.S. Department of Education tracks every
student’s Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) among all institutions. To review your
Pell LEU, log in to studentaid.gov using your FSA ID.
If you wish to decline or return Pell Grant funds within the award year to preserve
eligibility for future enrollment periods, you must submit the request in writing
directly to the WSU Office of Financial Aid (OFA).
Other Important Information
- The “Aid Offer” you have been sent reflects your estimated award based on full-time enrollment. Your actual award will be determined at the semester’s financial aid recalculation date based
on your financial-aid-eligible, enrolled coursework and reduced accordingly.
- If you add classes after your initial Pell grant has been paid and after the financial
aid recalculation date, no additional Pell Grant funds can be disbursed. There are
no exceptions to this requirement.
- Late Awards: If you applied late or regained your eligibility after the financial aid recalculation
date, your eligibility for a Pell Grant will be calculated based on your eligible,
enrolled coursework at the time of disbursement.
- Repeated Courses: After a course has been successfully completed (with a D- or better grade), the course
may only be attempted one additional time to still be eligible for the Pell Grant.
This rule applies regardless of the minimum grade required by the program and regardless
of whether or not you received aid for earlier enrollments in the course or its equivalents.
- Disbursement and Your Student Account: Your Pell Grant will be applied directly to your WSU student account each term. Any
excess financial aid remaining after semester charges are fully paid will be issued
to the student by paper check or direct deposit. If your grant does not cover the
cost of your tuition/fees, you must make payment arrangements for the balance owed
by the payment deadline.
- Withdrawal: When you withdraw from one or more (or all) courses, the OFA must review if you began
attendance or otherwise engaged academically in each of these courses. This also includes
cases where you stop attending all of your classes but do not actually complete Wichita
State’s official withdrawal process. The OFA must also review the timing of your date
of withdrawal or recorded last date of attendance. This review determines if it is
necessary to recalculate your eligibility for Pell Grant funds based on the revised
enrollment and cost of attendance. This review will also determine if it is necessary
to complete a process called Return to Title IV, in which all of your unearned federal
financial aid is required to be returned to the U.S. Department of Education. As a
result, you may owe a balance to Wichita State.
- Dropping Courses: Dropping courses within the term may require you to repay all or part of the Pell
Grant you received. If you are considering dropping a class, it is important to discuss
your situation with a financial aid advisor before dropping.
- Failing a Course: In the event you fail a course, the OFA is required to review if you attended or otherwise
engaged academically in the failed course. The OFA must determine if you earned the
Pell Grant which was disbursed. If attendance or other academic engagement cannot
be confirmed, the Pell Grant will be withdrawn for that class. As a result, you may
owe a balance to Wichita State.
- Eligible Coursework: Only coursework required for your degree program (graduate or undergraduate) will
count toward your financial aid enrollment status. You must be enrolled in the appropriate number of credit hours for your degree programs
to be eligible for your Pell Grant.
Children of Fallen Heroes Program
The Children of Fallen Heroes program is available to Pell-grant-eligible students
whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety
officer. To qualify, the student must be eligible for a Pell grant, have a Pell-grant-eligible
EFC, and be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education
at the time of his or her parent's or guardian's death. The application is available
here.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG is a need-based grant for undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s
degree and have exceptional financial need. The amount of the award is based on full-time
enrollment, and will be reduced if you enroll in fewer credit hours. You must be
enrolled at least half-time at the end of the Financial Aid Recalculation Date to receive these funds. Federal Student Aid Regulations require that you engage
academically in all courses in which Wichita State disbursed SEOG funds. Approximate annual amounts are between $500 and $2,000.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program
provides grants of up to *$4,000 per year ($16,000 maximum for a four-year program) to students who intend to
teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from
low-income families. Graduate students are eligible for *$4,000 per year ($8,000 maximum
limit). Students who are working on a second undergraduate degree are not eligible
for the TEACH Grant. TEACH Grant funds will prorate based on your enrollment status
(i.e. full-time, three-quarter-time, half-time). Federal Student Aid Regulations
require that you begin academically related activity in all courses for which Wichita
State disbursed TEACH funds.
In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must agree to serve as a full-time teacher
in a high-need field in a public or private elementary school that serves low-income
students. You must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years
of completing the program of study for which you received a TEACH Grant. If you fail
to complete the service obligation, then all amounts of the TEACH Grant you received
will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. You must then repay this
loan to the U.S. Department of Education including interest from the date the grant(s)
were disbursed.
Additional information for the Federal TEACH Grant can be found here: https://studentaid.gov/teach-grant-program.
*TEACH Grant funds may be subject to reductions as a result of federal sequestration.
Student Eligibility Criteria
To receive the TEACH Grant, you must:
- Complete the FAFSA; although you do not have to demonstrate financial need
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Be enrolled in coursework that will allow you to begin a career in teaching or plan
to complete that coursework
- Meet the following academic requirements:
- Score above the 75th percentile on one of the following admissions test(s): ACT, SAT
or GRE, or
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale. This cumulative GPA must be
maintained throughout the academic program for which you are awarded a TEACH Grant.
- Be admitted to Wichita State’s Teacher Education Program
- Complete TEACH Grant counseling for each award period online.
- Sign a TEACH Grant “Agreement to Serve” each year online.
Service Obligation
In order to fulfill the service obligation of the TEACH Grant, you must be a highly-qualified,
full-time secondary or elementary teacher in a high-need subject area, at a school
serving low-income students, for at least four years within eight years of finishing
your program.
- A highly qualified teacher is one as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.
- A full-time teacher is one who spends the majority (at least 51%) of time teaching in one of the high-need
subject areas. Because of the 51% requirement, most elementary teachers will not be
eligible.
- A school serving low-income students is designated by the U.S. Department of Education. See details here: https://studentaid.gov/app/tcli.action.
High-Need Subject Areas
The following are designated as high-need subject areas:
- Mathematics
- Science (such as Biology, Geology, Chemistry or Physics)
- Foreign Language
- Bilingual Education
- Special Education
- Reading Specialist
- Other “High Need” Field as designated by the U.S. Department of Education
Failure to Complete Service Obligation
If you fail to complete the four years of service for each eligible program in which
you received the TEACH Grant within eight years of completing your program, the grant
will convert to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest accrued from the
date of the first disbursal of the funds. Once the grant converts to a loan, it cannot
be converted back to a grant.
Designated Eligible Programs at Wichita State University
Wichita State University has designated the following programs to be TEACH Grant eligible
programs:
Undergraduate:
- Early Childhood Unified
- Early Childhood Unified/Elementary Education Apprentice
- PreK thru 12 – Foreign Language (French, Latin, Spanish)
- PreK thru 12 – ESOL
- Middle Level – Math or Science
- Secondary Education – Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Space Science, Math, or Physics
Graduate:
- Special Education – Adaptive
- Special Education – Functional
- Special Education – High Incidence
- Special Education – Low Incidence
- Special Education – Early Childhood Unified
- Reading Specialist
- Transition to Teaching with Endorsement in Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science,
Earth Space Science, French, Latin or Spanish
Federal Work Study
Work-Study is an employment program intended to pay at least minimum wage for the
hours you work. A variety of positions are available, including some with community
service. This program is available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Your
award is an estimate of your eligibility, not a guaranteed award. The actual amount
you receive depends on finding employment, the hourly wage, and the number of hours
you work. You must enroll at least half-time to be employed in this program.
You must accept these funds by July 1 and obtain an eligible position by the end of
the Financial Aid Recalculation Date or the offer will be withdrawn.
A variety of positions are available, including some with community service. For more
information about available positions, contact the Shocker Career Accelerator in Marcus
Welcome Center, Suite 139, via phone at (316) 978-3688, via email at SCA@wichita.edu, or visit them online at wichita.edu/careers. You can apply for available positions online through jobs.wichita.edu. After selecting a position that interests you, contact the department to request
an interview. For questions about your financial aid award contact the Office of Financial Aid.
If hired, you must complete the necessary employment forms before beginning work.
Your employer will determine the number of hours you may work per week and the rate
of pay. Work-study students may work up to 30 hours per week during in-session periods
and up to 40 hours per week during official school break periods.
Federal Direct Loans
Direct loans are low-interest loans disbursed to undergraduate and graduate students
enrolled at least half-time. This loan program includes two types of loans: subsidized
(need-based) and unsubsidized (non-need-based). Repayment of the principle begins
six months after you cease to be enrolled at least half-time or graduate, whichever
comes first. Direct Loan annual and aggregate loan limit information is available
at wichita.edu/studentloans.
Subsidized:
Interest on the subsidized loan is paid by the federal government while you are enrolled
at least half-time. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the fixed interest rate is
6.53%, and the loan origination fee is 1.057%. Subsidized loans are available to undergraduate
students only.
Unsubsidized:
Interest on the unsubsidized loan will begin to accrue from the time of disbursement
until the loan is paid in full. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the fixed interest rate is 6.53% for undergraduate
students and 8.08% for graduate students, and the loan origination fee is 1.057%.
Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
The PLUS loan enables parents with good credit history to borrow funds to assist with
their dependent undergraduate student’s educational expenses. You must be enrolled
at least half-time for your parents to borrow PLUS loans. During the 2024-2025 academic
year, the fixed interest rate is 9.08%, and the loan origination fee is 4.228%. Your
parents may apply for a PLUS Loan at studentaid.gov. If your parent is denied a PLUS loan, you may be eligible for an additional Unsubsidized
Direct Loan. Typically, repayment begins 60 days after the final PLUS loan disbursement
for the academic year. Parents who wish to request a deferment must contact the loan
servicer for details on eligibility requirements and the application process. See
additional details about PLUS Loans at wichita.edu/studentloans.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
The Graduate PLUS Loan enables graduate students with a good credit history to borrow
funds up to their full cost of attendance. This loan is available to graduate students
who are enrolled at least half-time. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the fixed
interest rate is 9.08%, and the loan origination fee is 4.228%. Graduate students
may apply at studentaid.gov. See additional details about Graduate PLUS Loans at wichita.edu/studentloans.
Federal Loan Interest Rates & Origination Fees:
Interest Rate & Origination Fees: Direct Loan interest rates are determined and communicated by the U.S. Department
of Education in July every year. Loan origination fees will be deducted from your
accepted loan amounts prior to receipt at Wichita State and are subject to change
due to federal sequestration.
NSLDS Disclosure:
If you and/or your parent(s) enter into a Title IV, HEA loan, enrollment and loan
data will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will
be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized
users of the data system.
Federal Loan Acceptance Process & Deadlines:
Follow the instructions below to review and accept your loans to ensure a timely disbursement.
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Log in to myWSU at myWSU.wichita.edu. Select the myFinances tab and then the Financial Aid Dashboard link. Select the appropriate Academic Year and the Offer tab to view current offers.
Read the terms and conditions for your loans. From the Offer tab, accept the amount of the student loan(s) that you would like to borrow for the
academic year (the accepted amount will be split equally between the fall and spring
terms). Keep in mind that you should borrow only what you need.
- All borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for the appropriate loan
and Entrance Loan Counseling. For Direct Loans, you may complete these steps at studentaid.gov.
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All students receiving Graduate PLUS loans must also complete the PLUS Entrance Loan
Counseling online at studentaid.gov.
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If you need to revise your original acceptance decision about a student loan, such
as to borrow funds for one term rather than the full academic year or cancel accepted
loans, you may submit a Financial Aid Revision Request through your myWSU account under the myFinances tab.
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Deadline to Accept Loans: You (and/or parent for a PLUS loan) must accept Direct and/or PLUS loans before the
end of the academic term in which you are registered. Loans requested after the priority
deadlines are subject to cancellation without notice.
- 2024-2025 Academic Year: Fall 2024 loans must be accepted and processed by Tuesday,
December 5, 2023. Spring 2024 loans must be accepted and processed by Tuesday, May
7, 2024. Summer 2024 loans must be accepted and processed by Wednesday, July 23,
2025.
- If you are not enrolling for the spring term, your federal loans must be accepted
and processed prior to the end of the fall term.
Alternative/Private Loans
The Office of Financial Aid can advise on alternative/private loans if any of the
following apply to you:
- You have reached or exceeded your federal loan limit.
- You are in need of additional funds beyond your federal aid eligibility.
- You are not interested in or willing to borrow a federal loan.
You can learn more about alternative loans here. Feel free to contact our office to discuss this matter further with a financial aid advisor.