Western New Mexico University (WNMU) offers a wide range of financial aid options to help students pay for college. These options include grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
Types of Financial Aid
Grants are free money that does not have to be repaid. Grants are awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or other criteria.
Scholarships are also free money, but they are typically awarded based on academic merit or other criteria, such as athletic ability or community service.
Loans are borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Loans are available to students who demonstrate financial need.
Work-study programs allow students to earn money to help pay for college expenses. Students who participate in work-study programs work part-time on campus or off-campus.
Eligibility for Financial Aid
To be eligible for financial aid, students must meet the following criteria:
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program
Be making satisfactory academic progress
How to Apply for Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.gov.
The FAFSA asks for information about the student’s family income, assets, and expenses. This information is used to determine the student’s financial need.
Awarding of Financial Aid
Financial aid awards are made by the WNMU Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Office considers the student’s financial need, academic merit, and other factors when making award decisions.
Managing Financial Aid
Students who receive financial aid must manage their aid wisely. This includes budgeting their money carefully and avoiding unnecessary expenses.
Students who have questions about their financial aid award or how to manage their aid should contact the WNMU Financial Aid Office.
Additional Resources
In addition to the financial aid programs offered by WNMU, there are a number of other resources available to help students pay for college. These resources include:
- State grants: Many states offer grants to students who attend college in their state.
- Private scholarships: There are thousands of private scholarships available to students.
- Employer tuition assistance: Some employers offer tuition assistance to their employees who are pursuing a degree.
Conclusion
Western New Mexico University offers a variety of financial aid options to help students pay for college. Students who are eligible for financial aid should apply as early as possible to ensure that they receive the maximum amount of aid.
Tables
Table 1: Types of Financial Aid
| Type of Aid | Description |
|---|---|
| Grants | Free money that does not have to be repaid |
| Scholarships | Free money that is awarded based on academic merit or other criteria |
| Loans | Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest |
| Work-study programs | Allow students to earn money to help pay for college expenses |
Table 2: Eligibility for Financial Aid
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen | Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen |
| High school diploma or equivalent | Must have a high school diploma or equivalent |
| Enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program | Must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program |
| Satisfactory academic progress | Must be making satisfactory academic progress |
Table 3: How to Apply for Financial Aid
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Complete the FAFSA | Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) |
| Submit the FAFSA to WNMU | Submit the FAFSA to WNMU’s Financial Aid Office |
| Wait for the award decision | Wait for the Financial Aid Office to make an award decision |
Table 4: Managing Financial Aid
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Budget carefully | Create a budget and stick to it |
| Avoid unnecessary expenses | Avoid spending money on things you don’t need |
| Contact the Financial Aid Office | Contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions or concerns |
FAQs
1. What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is used to determine a student’s financial need.
2. How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for financial aid, you must complete the FAFSA. You can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov.
3. What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
The deadline to apply for financial aid is June 30th. However, it is recommended that you apply as early as possible to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of aid.
4. How will I receive my financial aid award?
Your financial aid award will be sent to you by mail. You will also be able to view your award online in your MyWNMU account.
5. What should I do if I have questions about my financial aid award?
If you have questions about your financial aid award, you should contact the WNMU Financial Aid Office.
6. How can I manage my financial aid?
You can manage your financial aid by creating a budget and sticking to it. You should also avoid unnecessary expenses.
7. What happens if I don’t use all of my financial aid?
If you don’t use all of your financial aid, the remaining funds will be returned to the government.
8. What happens if I have to withdraw from school?
If you have to withdraw from school, you may have to repay some of your financial aid.
