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If you’re looking for financial aid assistance in Chicago to pursue your educational goals, we’re here to help. In the East-West University Financial Aid Department, our goal is to provide adequate financial assistance to applicants who, without such aid, would be unable to attend the University. To that end, we offer a variety of financial aid packages to qualifying students.
It all starts with your Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. Every year, students who need financial aid are required to submit their applications. Most do it early starting January 1st in order to receive the maximum aid for the upcoming year. Through grants, loans, part-time employment and scholarships, students are provided monetary assistance to help meet the basic cost of their educational expenses.
Your EWU Financial Aid Department will administer and coordinate all the different types of financial aid funds from federal, state, private, and University sources. Programs, policies and application procedures are defined in the EWU Financial Aid Manual.
Whether a grant, loan or work-study program, every type of financial aid has specific requirements in order to maintain eligibility. Generally, all grants, loans, and work-study awards require a 2.0 GPA and a minimum of half-time enrollment in a degree-seeking program unless otherwise stated. Note: Scholarships have different eligibility criteria.
Scholarships
As with most scholarships for Chicago colleges and universities, these funds are funded by private donors, academic departments or the school. Based on need or merit, most scholarships require a minimum of a 2.0 or better GPA and full-time enrollment. If you expect to receive a scholarship from a private donor, please notify our office so your financial aid can be adjusted to reflect your anticipated scholarship.
Grants
These are federal, state or institutional funds awarded based on need. Most of these funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. These funds are considered “free money” and do not need to be repaid. Certain grants may have additional eligibility requirements. IF YOU DO NOT ATTEND FULL-TIME, AWARDS WILL BE PRO-RATED based on quarter-credit enrollment status.
Work-Study
This is a need-based type of financial aid. The Federal college work-study program requires that the student apply for a job on campus to earn the funds awarded. This program provides valuable work experience and an opportunity to network with many important departments across campus or for selected non-profit organizations in the community. Please visit the Financial Aid Department on the 8th Floor of the West Building for an application and more information.
Loans
These funds are awarded based on need, grade level and academic career. You must be enrolled at least half-time and must not exceed federal aggregate limits to be eligible. IF YOU DO NOT ATTEND FULL-TIME, AWARDS WILL BE PRO-RATED based on quarter-credit enrollment status. You must complete an entrance exam and sign a master promissory note by logging into www.studentloans.gov
All students must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in order to be eligible for federal, state, or institutional aid. Each semester, the Financial Aid Office identifies students who have failed to meet minimum academic requirements. This standing may be different than the academic standing in your academic program. Please view the SAP requirements in the table below.
To achieve satisfactory academic progress for Grade Maintenance, a student must achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher at the end of each quarter of enrollment. When a cumulative GPA is below 2.0 the student is placed on Academic Probation. If a student fails to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher after two consecutive probationary quarters, the student must meet with a member of the Counseling Office during the subsequent quarter of enrollment.
After three consecutive probationary quarters, the student may be required to submit a written request for continuance under the Immediate Achievement (IA) policy. A student granted continuance under IA must achieve a quarterly GPA of 2.0 minimum and cumulative GPA of 2.0 after three quarters or be dismissed from the University. In addition, students on Immediate Achievement must attend an Academic Skills Workshop during their first term of Immediate Achievement. A student not granted Immediate Achievement may be asked to leave East-West University for up to three quarters and /or attend another institution to demonstrate academic ability before returning, or be dismissed from the University.
A student who has achieved a quarterly GPA of 2.0 or higher in the third quarter of probation will automatically be entitled to enroll and must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 after two quarters or may be dismissed from the University. Any dismissed student who wishes to be reinstated must submit an appeal to the Academic Status Committee.
If a student drops to zero hours it is considered a withdrawal from the University. If you receive aid during the semester of a withdrawal, you will be responsible for returning a portion of your financial aid back to the University. Before submitting withdrawal request, visit with your Financial Aid Advisor to review the financial implications of withdrawing.
Office of Financial Aid
Visit us in on the 8th Floor
819 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago IL 60605
Hours:
Monday through Friday: 9 am - 6 pm
