Application Process
Online financial aid application instructions are updated each year and made available to enrolled students. Newly accepted students who have paid their matriculation deposit will have additional electronic access to other relevant financial aid resources provided on the University website and in Canvas via their student portal.
Please review the following pages for helpful information on the financial aid process.
- Financial Aid Types
- Eligibility Requirements
- Application Process
- Financial Aid Policies
- Rights & Responsibilities
- Exit Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your frequently asked questions about financial aid:
- Do I apply every year for financial aid?
- How do I apply for financial aid?
- Where do I find the Cost of Attendance for my class?
- Are there any deadlines for financial aid applications?
- What loans are available and how much do they cover?
- Where do I find Federal Work-Study (FWS) jobs? When can I start?
- Can I apply for scholarships?
- How and when do I receive my refund (loan money)? How is it disbursed?
- How do I (or parents) make a payment on my MWU account?
- How can I contact my Financial Aid Administrator?
Budget and cost of attendance
Each class has an established Cost of Attendance (COA) or budget designed to cover a student's educational and living expenses for a full academic year; funding is allowed within the parameters of the start/end dates of the academic year only. The standard COA for each class, developed in accordance with federal guidelines, allows for a reasonable standard of living for a single student in the community. Each year the major components of the budget are reviewed and modified, if necessary, based on changes in costs. To help verify allowable expenses and amounts included in budgets remain reasonable, Student Financial Services will periodically survey students to gather information about 'actual' expenses they have incurred.
Representative expense categories included in every budget include:
- Tuition and Fees
- Books and Supplies
- Room and Board
- Transportation Expenses
- Personal Expenses including insurances
Some programs may include technology, equipment, or other fees as well. In all instances, federal regulations govern what is allowable in the budgets.
While many students find it necessary to borrow to pay for their education, we highly encourage students to live as modestly as possible with a thrifty budget, to minimize debt, and that good choices now can lead to financial freedom down the road and lower repayment after graduation. The staff in the Office of Student Financial Services are always available to discuss any questions surrounding budgeting within our COA limits.
Questions?
We're here to help answer your questions about financial aid and your accounts with Midwestern University. For financial aid counseling and accounts receivable transactions, just walk in or schedule an appointment with one of our staff members.
Financial Aid FAQs
Find answers to your frequently asked questions about financial aid.
Yes! Your award letter only covers one academic year. Students who wish to receive Federal Aid, including Federal Work-Study or Federal Direct Loans must apply each year. Annual reminders are sent via your MWU email, Facebook MWU AZ, Facebook MWU IL, and the Message Center on the student portal.
You can access the online financial aid application process through your student portal. Click the "Financial Services" tab at the top and then "Apply for Aid". Next click on "Apply for (applicable year)" and complete all of the application steps.
The Cost of Attendance budgets include direct charges (tuition and fees) and indirect expenses (items not billed by MWU, such as travel, food, etc.) and are updated each academic year, and new Cost of Attendance budgets are normally released and posted on the website in late April.
Yes! Our office encourages students to complete the application process well in advance of the priority deadline date, typically in March. This will enable loans to be processed on time for the new academic year. Students who submit their forms after the priority date will still be eligible for loans, but may not have the funds by the time tuition is due and may not qualify for other aid programs with limited funds.
There are several loan types available, and (if needed) may be combined to cover your Cost of Attendance in full including living expenses.
FWS job listings are available on the student portal. From the home page, go to “Financial Services” > “FWS Job Postings”. You must have FWS on your current award letter. Also, you must submit all required paperwork and receive approval before you may begin to work. Check with our office if you have any questions!
Yes, you can! Visit the scholarships page for various scholarship opportunities. Continuing students can apply for institutional scholarships through their student portal. These are listed by campus: Scholarships - Downers Grove Campus, Scholarships - Glendale Campus.
Funds are posted to your MWU Statement of Account quarterly to cover school charges. The excess funds will be released to the student as a refund each quarter: Financial Aid Refund Dates. Remember to sign up for direct deposit online; otherwise, you will receive a paper check.
Log onto your student portal > "Financial Services" > "Statement of Account" link to review your charges before you make a payment; then scroll to the bottom to make your payment in full or sign up for the Payment Plan Option. If you want to give authorization for someone to make a payment on your behalf, select the 3rd-Party Payment link and follow the instructions. There is no additional charge for using a credit card.
Students are assigned Financial Aid Administrators (FAA) by their last name. When emailing your FAA, please be sure to include your six-digit MWU student ID number, which can be found under the “My Info” tab on your MWU student portal.
Downers Grove Financial Aid Administrators
Student Alpha Split A – E:
Svetlana Okuneva, B.A.,CPFM
630-515-6128
sokune@midwestern.edu
Student Alpha Split F - K:
Jason Jaskulski, B.A.
630-515-6127
jjasku@midwestern.edu
Student Alpha Split L – Q:
Sneha Shah, MBA
630-960-3283
sshah4@midwestern.edu
Student Alpha Split R – Z:
Karen Eckhart, MA, CPFM
630-515-6230
keckha@midwestern.edu
Glendale Financial Aid Administrators
Student Alpha Split A – Fe, J - Kh:
Lesa Stanford, B.A., CPFM
623-572-3322
lstanf@midwestern.edu
Student Alpha Split Fi - Gu, Li - R:
Tammy Schmidt, B.A., CPFM
623-572-3461
tschmi@midwestern.edu
Student Alpha Split H - I, Ki - Le, S-Z:
Stacia McBride, B.S., CPFM
623-572-3246
smcbri@midwestern.edu
Federal Work Study Only:
Anna Carmelo
623-572-3324
acarme@midwestern.edu
Contact Financial Aid
Downers Grove campus
Location: Dr. Arthur G. Dobbelaere Support Services Hall 103
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CST) Monday through Friday
Phone: 630-515-6101
Fax: 630-515-6384
Student Financial Services general email: ilfinaid@midwestern.edu
Student Accounts general email: ILStudentAccounts@midwestern.edu
Federal School Code: 001657
Glendale Campus
Location: Barrel Student Center III
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MST) Monday through Friday
Phone: 623-572-3321
Fax: 623-572-3283
Student Financial Services general email: azfinaid@midwestern.edu
Student Accounts general email: AZStudentAccounts@midwestern.edu
Federal School Code: E00906
Student Loan Repayment (both campuses)
Phone toll-free: 866-PAY-2MWU (866-729-2698)
Downers Grove phone: 630-515-6352
Need additional help? Contact a Student Loan Repayment Administrator:
Manager, Student Loan Administration:
Marta Andino, email: mandin@midwestern.edu
Sr. Student Loan Repayment Administrator:
Dan Rothschild, email: droths@midwestern.edu
Student Loan Repayment Administrators:
Mike Minarcik, email: mminar@midwestern.edu
James Syler Jr., email: jsyler@midwestern.edu