Financial Obligation of Parents/Students
Western Oklahoma State College assumes that parents have the first
obligation to provide for the education of their son or daughter.
The second obligation falls upon the student to contribute to
his/her own education from personal assets and earnings, including
appropriate borrowing against future earnings.
Determination of Financial Need
Within its available resources, Western attempts to meet the financial
needs of its students. Thus, a student’s financial need is
determined by subtracting the parents’ and/or student’s
contributions from the total cost of attendance. Approximate basic
costs allowed for maintenance (indirect expense) are $9,000 for
independent students and $5,850 for dependent students. General
enrollment fees, other fees, and books are added to those expenses
as a direct cost. The total financial aid awarded a student shall
never exceed the college cost budget.
Enrollment Requirements
The amount of a student’s financial aid is contingent upon
the student’s enrolling on at least a half-time basis for each
semester awarded. (A less than half-time student may be eligible for
Pell grants.)
Voided Awards
If a student is not permitted to return to Western either
because of grades or an outstanding balance with the business office
at the beginning of an academic term, his/her financial aid award
will become void. A student may be reinstated for receipt of
financial assistance when he/she presents to the financial aid
office satisfactory grades upon completion of another semester of
course work without financial aid. Additional information on
satisfactory program standards may be obtained from the financial
aid office.
Reporting Changes
Any change in a student’s enrollment, financial, residential, or name changes must be immediately reported to the
financial aid office.
Reapplication for Financial Aid Required Each Year
Financial aid is not automatically renewable from year to year. An application for federal student aid should be submitted each academic year, as early as January or February, for the upcoming year.
Disbursement of Award Funds
Award funds for Pell and SEOG will be disbursed after the
refund period each semester on a weekly basis. College work-study
paychecks will be disbursed on approximately the first of each month
as due compensation for work performed the preceding month. The
business office disburses all checks. Checks that are ready for
disbursement will be posted on the business office window or
bulletin board.
Adding/Dropping Classes
Students receiving financial aid that drop or add classes or who completely withdraw must have the forms processed through the
financial aid office. Federal law requires that Western return general enrollment fees, other fees, and book refunds that occur as a result of a decrease in enrollment to the aid programs.
Students who plan to take eight-week or shortened-format courses during the semester should enroll in them before the end of the two-week add/drop period of the regular 16-week semester in order for the class(es) to be included in their semester award.
Providing False Information
The financial aid awards shall be void if and when incorrect information is revealed on either the
student aid report or other supporting documents. Intentionally false statements or misrepresentation on any of the student’s financial aid application materials may subject the student to a fine or imprisonment, or both, under provisions of the U.S. Criminal Code.
Deficiency Courses
The Oklahoma State Regents office requires that deficiency courses be completed within the students’ first 24 credit hours. Therefore, remedial or deficiency courses which are required for the student’s degree will be covered by financial aid but the student is encouraged to take the courses as soon as possible to meet Oklahoma State Regents policy.
