Student Eligibility and Receiving Aid

WPO 5.08-3 Student Eligibility and Receiving Aid (Op5.08-3)

The Office of Financial Aid calculates a financial aid package for admitted students based on the results of the FAFSA.  A student must have a FAFSA sent to Missouri State University-West Plains by including the federal school code of 031060.

 General eligibility requirements for most federal, state, and university aid programs require that a student be a degree-seeking student.  A student must comply with the Required Enrollment Policy and prove lawful presence in the United States in order to be eligible for financial aid.

Eligibility requirements for specific programs are as follows:

• Supplemental Educational Opportunity grant – requires that your FAFSA be filed by March 31, and you meet the EFC component.
• Federal Work Study – requires that your FAFSA be filed by March 31, you meet the EFC component, and you indicated interest in work-study on the FAFSA. If you are not awarded Federal Work Study and are interested, contact our office to see if you qualify to be put on the waiting list.

The award letter indicates how your award is divided (fall, spring). At the beginning of each semester, we will credit your student account with the awarded funds (Pell, SEOG, scholarships). Stafford Direct Student Loan funds are applied once the funds have been received from the government. Federal Direct Stafford Loans are not automatically packaged. If you are interested in a student loan, contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

To receive aid, a student must accept the award offer online at My Grizzly Den. Refer to the terms and conditions tab at My Grizzly Den for more information on how to accept each type of aid. In addition, some sources of aid, like the Parent Plus Loan, may require additional applications and procedures.

Financial aid credit balances are not disbursed until attendance and participation in classes has been verified.  Refunds are typically released 4-5 weeks after classes begin for fall and spring semesters. Summer credit balances disburse approximately 3-4 weeks after classes begin.

Students can use the Deferred Payment Plan to cover their fees until their financial aid is processed. Contact the business office for information regarding the plan.

Line of authority

Responsible administrator and office: Vice Chancellor of Student Services

Contact person in that office: Coordinator of Financial Aid

Chancellor Approval: