Welcome toOpen House!

March 19, 2011

WHO ARE WE?• Public Undergraduate & Graduate Institution• Student Enrollment Fall 2010 - 2734• 5th Consecutive Year of Enrollment Increase• Roughly 50% of our students live in Campus owned housing

(80% of freshman live on campus)• Five Academic Colleges: Arts & Communications, Business,

Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences• Offer 15 NCAA Division II Sports(Women’s Soccer & Men’s

Club Lacrosse offered in 2011-12)• Course Offerings at Highlands Center• Over 60 Student Clubs/Organizations

WHAT DO WE DO AT WEST LIBERTY?

• Offer quality programs

• Provide an affordable education

• Safe and caring environment

OFFER QUALITY PROGRAMS

• Over 30 academic programs are recognized nationally or have national accreditation

• Over 50 major degree programs are available• This includes Health Sciences (Dental Hygiene &

Nursing), Teacher Education, Business, Biology, Graphic Design and Broadcasting

• Freshman Lap Top Program• Marching Band Returned Fall 2009

PROVIDE AN AFFORADABLE EDUCATION

• 85% of West Liberty students receive some type of financial aid

• Metro Rate for Bordering Counties• Scholarship Programs enhanced for 2011-12• $2.5 million dollars awarded annually in

scholarships

PROVIDE AN AFFORADABLE EDUCATION

• Tuition & Fees: $4880 In-State$10200 Metro Rate$12750 Out of State

• Room & Board: $7310

• NOTE: COSTS LISTED ARE FOR THE 2010-11 ACADEMIC YEAR

PROVIDE AN AFFORDABLE EDUCATION

• According to The College Board in 2010-11, the average tuition/fee cost for a 4-year public college was $7,605

• Average tuition/fees at a 4-year private college was $27,293

• Average room/board in 2010-11 was $8,535 at public institutions & $9,700 at private institutions*Figures are from the College Board Trends in College Pricing 2010

PROVIDE AN AFFORDABLE EDUCATION

• Metro Rate provides a reduction in tuition and fees for students residing in out of state neighboring counties

• Current reduction is approximately $2500 per year• Ohio: Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Guernsey, Harrison,

Jefferson, Monroe, Stark, Tuscarawas, Washington• Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Washington,

Westmoreland,• Maryland: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, Washington• Virginia: Clarke, Frederick, Loudoun, Shenandoah, Warren

SAFE & CARING ENVIRONMENT

• 24 Hour – 7 Day a Week Campus Police Department

• Secure Residence Hall Access (Topper Card), Alarms and Security Cameras

• Academic Advisors• First Year Experience Course • 18:1 Student-Faculty Ratio• Free Tutoring

SAFE & CARING ENVIRONMENT

• Career Services • Counseling Services• ADA Accommodations• Retention Specialist• MAP Works Program• Full-time Campus Activities Coordinator• Residential Life Program

FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION

• What is financial aid?

• Where does it come from?

• Who is eligible?

• How do I apply?

WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?

• Scholarships (academic, talent-based, athletic or need based)

• Grants (Federal and State)• Loans (Federal, parent, alternative and institutional)• Student Employment (Federal work study and

institutional)

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

• U.S. Department of Education• State Higher Education Agencies• Institutions• Third parties i.e. private foundations, banks,

civic organizations, etc.

General Student Eligibility Criteria for Federal Aid

• Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible program of study

• Must be pursuing degree, certificate, or other recognized credential

• Must be U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen• Must be registered with Selective Service

(if male & required)• Institutions, states and third parties may set

additional criteria

How Do I Apply?

• The FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov) must be completed to apply for:– Federal and State Grants– Federal Loans– Federal Work-Study*Some state agencies may require additional

paperwork

APPLYING CONTINUED

• Admissions Application• Institutional Scholarship Applications• Third Party Applications• IMPORTANT: Check Institutional and State

Deadlines

DEADLINES

• WLU FAFSA priority deadline: March 1st

• WLU scholarships: awarded on a rolling basis for accepted students

• At WLU, priority given to students accepted by January 15th

WLU REQUIREMENTS

• No Scholarship Application required unless specified

• Scholars Program :– Elbin: At least 3.75 GPA and 27 ACT/1220 SAT or higher;

$12,000 out-of state; $4000 in-state• Elbin Scholars with a 4.0 GPA will receive a scholarship award equivalent

tuition & mandatory fees and Room & Board; for in-state students this amount will include the PROMISE Scholarship.

– Presidential: At least 3.75 GPA and 24-26 ACT/1090-1210 SAT; $3000

– Foundation: At least 3.75 GPA and 22-23 ACT/1020-1080; $2000

SCHOLARSHIPS FALL 2011• Black & Gold Scholarship: Offered to first-time freshman

with a minimum cumulative GPA between 3.5-3.74 and minimum ACT of 22 (SAT 1020). $1000 per year for four years.

• PROMISE Plus Scholarship: Offered to first-time freshman who has been awarded a WV PROMISE scholarship. $1000 a year for four years. Student must maintain PROMISE eligibility.

• University Scholarship: Offered to transfer students who have completed a minimum of 24 semester hours with at least a 3.25 accumulative GPA. $2000 per year for up to three years.

SCHOLARSHIPS CONT’D

• Marching Band Scholarships: $500-$1000 per year to students participating in the marching band

• Arts & Communications: Awards determined by Academic Departments

• Athletic Scholarships: Awards determined by head coaches

PROVIDE AN AFFORDABLE EDUCATION

• Scholar Program: Scholarship Program for Students with a 3.75 GPA and at least 22 ACT/1020 SAT. Students designated as Elbin, Presidential, or Foundation Scholars

• Elbin Scholars with 4.00 gpa receive full scholarship to cover tuition, mandatory fees, room and board.

• PROMISE Plus Scholarship• Black & Gold Scholarship• University Scholarships

PROCESSING UPDATE2011-12

• WEEKLY PROCESSING CYCLE STARTING IN MARCH:– FAFSA information received weekly– Estimate Letters and Tracking Letters mailed to

students weekly

MARCH-MAY

• Weekly cycle will continue• Using estimated costs until actual 2011-12

costs are approved by HEPC• Any change to a student’s award record

generates an updated estimate letter to the student

• In late April eligible WV Residents will begin to receive initial PROMISE and Higher Education notifications

JUNE

• Final 2011-12 costs should be in place• All new students who have had their aid

packaged and who are registered will receive a official Award Letter

• Please Note: Your Award Letter is NOT your Bill

• Bills/Invoices are provided by the Business Office in late July or early August

WRAP UP

• Late April/Early May: Mailing Regarding Registration/Orientation/Laptop Program

• Orientation by Date:– June 7, 14, 23, 28– July 12, 19, 29 (Overnight on the 28th)– August 5

WRAP UP CONTINUED

• Housing Assignments Mailed June• Residence Halls open for New Students August

19TH 10:00 AM• Topper Fest begins August 19TH

• Classes begin August 22th 9:00 AM

QUESTIONS REGARDING:

Financial Aid: 304-336-8016Freshmen Registration: 304-336-8404

Housing/Residence Life: 304-336-8345Admissions: 304-336-8076Orientation: 304-336-8427Toll Free: 1-866-WESTLIB

WESTLIBERTY.EDU