by our College Data Analytics TeamFinancial aid in the form of loans, grants, work-study, and scholarships is one way colleges reduce the cost of attendance so most students can actually afford to attend.
What financial aid options does WMU offer, and what will you qualify for? Keep scrolling for answers.
$8,315.00 is the typical Western Michigan University’s first year financial aid package. Approximately 82% of incoming freshmen obtain financial assistance, with the majority being offered as loans.
Loans are a part of financial aid plans, but the only true college discount is a scholarship or grant that you don’t have to repay.
Uneasy about the debt that may be included in your financial aid plan? Find the average amount of debt per student at Western Michigan University.
Institutional scholarships and grants are financial aid awards given by colleges and universities to help students manage tuition costs and other education-related expenses. These awards, which do not need to be repaid, can be classified as merit-based or need-based. Students who excel academically, possess unique talents, or have specific skills can be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships. Factors such as high school performance, standardized test scores, or participation in extracurricular activities often contribute to eligibility for these scholarships. Need-based institutional grants, on the other hand, are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. The amount given is generally based on the student’s family’s financial situation, aiming to cover the gap between the cost of attendance and the family’s capacity to pay. To assess a student’s eligibility for need-based grants, colleges and universities may rely on information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other financial aid forms. Institutional scholarships and grants are essential for students, as they can substantially lower college expenses and make higher education more affordable.
The following numbers apply to scholarships and grants largely offered by the school itself.
52% of new students (1499 total) were given scholarships at Western Michigan University, averaging $6,952.00 per student. This puts it in the top 50th percentile among colleges and universities nationwide.
As well as scholarships, 26% of freshmen (762 total) received a federal grant, for about $5,350.00 a person.
The next table demonstrates grant and scholarship distributions by income level for freshmen getting any form of federally-funded Title IV aid, which includes Federal PLUS loans.
| Income Level | Percent of Freshman | Average Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Income 0-30k | 11.13% | $13,455.00 |
| Income 30k-48k | 5.39% | $11,015.00 |
| Income 48k-75k | 6.71% | $5,727.00 |
| Income 75k-110k | 4.46% | $2,841.00 |
| Income 110k + | 5.95% | $1,391.00 |
The table above displays students who are getting Title IV aid, federal aid from the government including loans, grants or work-study. Get more info on Title IV here.
82% of the 2893 undergraduates at Western Michigan University receive some sort of grant aid. This is a total of about 1660 students getting an average of $8,315.00 per person.
Check out the Tuition and Fees page or the Cost Per Credit Hour page to find out more.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.