Federal Financial Aid
To be eligible for federal financial aid, you must meet the eligibility requirements as specified by the Department of Education and Weber State University. These requirements include, but are not limited to, completing high school, enrolling in an eligible program of study, being a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress, being without a loan default, and not owing a federal grant refund and/or repayment.
Federal financial aid is divided into 3 main categories:
Loans
Money you will have to repay, with interest. You must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits for undergraduate students, 5 credits for graduate students).
Work Study
Part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. The money is earned and does not have to be repaid.
Grants
Federal Pell Grant
This grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree. The maximum annual award varies annually, according to federal pell charts. The amount you receive will depend on your eligbility (as determined by the FAFSA), your enrollment level, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. This is money you do not have to repay if you complete your courses.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
This is a grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The award priority goes to Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contribution. Like Pell Grants, it does not have to be paid back. You can get between $5500 and $1,100 a year, depending on when you apply, your financial need, and the funding level at WSU. This grant is awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree.
Talent Development Grant
The Talent Development Grant has replaced the Talent Development Incentive Loan. Students in qualifying programs, Computer Science, should submit a declaration form each year they receive the grant.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
This grant is for students whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Grant (PSOCAG)
The Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Grant is available to current peace officers who would like to advance in their career by completing a qualifying degree. A PSOCAG Program Application is required to be submitted annually.
Loans
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan (DLSF)
A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. The amount you receive each year depends on your year in college and program of study. You will not be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods of deferment. The federal government "subsidizes" the interest during these periods.
You have 6 months after you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time status before you must begin repayment. This is a loan and must be repaid.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (DLUS)
An unsubsidized loan is available for eligible students. Eligibility is determined primarily on cost of attendance minus other financial assistance. The amount you receive each year will depend on your dependency status, year in college and program of study.
You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accumulate, it will be capitalized: the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan, and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount. This will increase the amount you have to repay. If you choose to pay the interest as it accumulates, you will repay less in the long run.
You have 6 months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time status before you must begin repayment. This is a loan and must be repaid.
If you need to adjusted your loan amounts after you have accepted or declined them please fill out a Loan Adjustment form.
Federal Parents Loan for Undergraduate Students (DLPL)
PLUS loans are available for parents of dependent students. Parents who do not have an adverse credit history can borrow up to the cost of their child's college attendance, minus any financial aid the child receives.
Students of parent borrowers must complete the FAFSA and be awarded before PLUS eligibility can be determined. Parents requesting this loan type must apply through studentaid.gov.
This is a loan and must be repaid.
Federal Graduate or Professional PLUS Loans (DLGP)
Graduate/Professional PLUS loans are available for graduate/professional students. Students requesting this loan type must apply through studentaid.gov.
Perkins Loans
No longer available after July 1, 2018
Perkins Loans are made through the WSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. The loan is made with government funds, but the university is the lender and repayment is made to WSU. The amount of your monthly payment will depend on the size of your debt and the length of your repayment period.
You have 9 months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time status before you must begin repayment. This is a loan and must be repaid.
For further information go to Exit Counseling to complete the final required counseling. If you need more information, contact our advisors at 801-626-7569.
Note: Information regarding loan funding received by the student or parent while at Weber State University will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible by state agencies and other institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. This pertains to all loan programs listed above.
Work Study
The Federal Work Study Program provides funding for part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study. You are paid by the hour, and the rate is at least the federal minimum wage.
You must find and apply for work study opportunities on or off campus. If you have problems finding a job, WSU's Career Services can assist you with resume writing and interviewing skills, along with ideas on where to look.
The maximum number of hours you can work at WSU during school sessions is 20 hours per week/40 hours per pay period, and you are paid every other week. Work study hours are typically scheduled around your classes, depending on the employer.
This money is earned and does not have to be repaid.
Eligibility
To be awarded Federal Work Study, you must:
- Be enrolled at least half-time,
- Have financial need (as determined by the FAFSA), and
- Your tuition and fees must be paid for, or you must have a payment plan set up.
- Be making satisfactory academic progress.
Accepting Your Award
After completing the FAFSA application, if you are awarded Federal Work Study (FWS):
- Accept your award on your student portal:
- Go to the Award Information app in eWeber.
- Log in with your username and password.
- Click “Accept/Review Award Offer by Aid Year” and select the appropriate year.
- Click on the “Accept Award Offer” tab.
- Check job listings: Jobs are available both on campus and off campus. Off-campus jobs usually involve work in community service with a private or public nonprofit organization.
- To see a listing of all jobs available visit jobs.weber.edu, select “Search Jobs” in the left menu, then Position Type “Hourly.” Work study jobs will be defined in the job description as federal work study or FWS.
- You must be awarded Work Study before applying for work study jobs.
- Pick up your Work Study Certification Card from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office no sooner than 1 week prior to the beginning of the semester. At that time, your tuition will need to be paid in full, or you must be enrolled in a payment plan, you must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours, and you must be making satisfactory progress.
- Have your employer sign and complete the certification card.
- Return the signed FWS Certification Card to the WSU Payroll Office (Miller Administration Room 111A). You will also need to take picture ID, your Social Security Card, and banking information.
- Complete your new hire paperwork: I-9 form, W-4 form for IRS withholding and bank information for direct deposit through the Payroll Office. Some positions may require a background check.
Once awarded Work Study, students have 30 days to accept their Work Study offer, pick up their Work Study card, and have a Work Study job. If these steps have not been completed within 30 days their Work Study offer will be removed.