Financial Aid
Financial Aid. Eighty-five percent of Westmont students receive some form of financial aid. All students admitted to Westmont are eligible to apply for financial assistance. Students receive financial aid funds in the form of scholarships/grants, loans, and work-study jobs. Usually, assistance comes through a “Financial Aid Package” which may include two or more types of awards.
Most financial aid requires demonstration of need, although some students receive scholarships solely on the basis of merit. To determine financial need and estimate a fair family contribution, Westmont uses the nationally accepted standards and procedures of the federal government. Factors involved in computing family contributions include income and assets of students and parents as well as the size of the family and the number of siblings in college. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), provides the necessary information. “Need” is defined as the difference between your expected family contribution and the allowable educational expenses of attending Westmont. Do not rule out the possibility of financial aid because of a high income. Students must submit the necessary forms each year to determine need. Watch for the deadlines. Financial aid information is subject to change. Go to www.westmont.edu for more information.
Scholarships. Scholarships are based on academic performance and/or financial need. They do not require repayment.
Faculty Fellowship Awards–Through these awards, the faculty wish to recognize the top scholars of the sophomore class from each of the three divisions of the College and to encourage them to complete their education at Westmont.
Athletic Scholarships–These are available to men and women. Student athletes should contact the Athletic Department.
Creative and Performing Arts Scholarships–Westmont gives awards each year in art, music, theatre arts and dance. Students should contact the particular department directly for more information.
The David K. Winter Character through Servant Leadership Awards–Details are available through the Westmont Student Life Office.
National Merit–Students who are selected as National Merit Finalists may receive a scholarship called the Westmont Merit Scholarship if they notify National Merit that Westmont College is their first-choice school by National Merit’s deadline in April or May.
Some finalists will not be eligible to receive these college-sponsored scholarships if: (1) they change their college choice from Westmont to another school; or (2) they have been chosen to receive another type of National Merit Scholarship award such as the National Merit $2500 Scholarship, or a Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship.
Grants. Students receive grants on the basis of financial need and do not need to repay them.
Westmont College Grants–These grants assist students in meeting tuition costs, depending on assessed financial need and satisfactory academic performance.
Cal Grant A–This state grant for California residents is based on financial need and academic performance, and new awards for 2007-08 are worth up to $9,708 yearly at Westmont. Students may renew this grant if they demonstrate satisfactory academic progress and continued financial need.
Cal Grant B–This state grant for California residents ranges from $1,551 to $11,259. The award is designed for disadvantaged, low-income families.
Federal Pell Grants–These federal grants are available to eligible students who are planning to enroll, or are already enrolled, in institutions of post-secondary education. They range from $400 to $4,310 and are awarded based on financial need.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant–This federal grant from $1,000 to $2,000 per year is given to students from families with low incomes. Pell Grant recipients are given priority for these awards.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)–This federal grant is for college first-year and second-year students. Students must have completed a rigorous high school curriculum, be a Federal Pell Grant recipient, U.S. citizen, enrolled full-time in a 2- or 4-year college degree program, and have demonstrated need. Second-year students must also have a 3.0 college GPA.
National SMART Grant–This federal grant is for college juniors and seniors. Students must be a Federal Pell Grant recipient, U.S. citizen, enrolled full-time in a 4-year college degree program, demonstrated need, 3.0 college GPA and have an eligible major.
Loans. Loans are low-interest and no-interest awards that students must repay.
Westmont College Interest-Free Loans–These loans are available to dependent students who are graduates of California high schools, U.S. citizens, and have established financial need. Students repay them in equal monthly installments over 10 years, beginning six months after they leave Westmont or their scheduled graduation, whichever is earlier.
Federal Perkins Loan–These loans are designed for students who come from low-income families. Perkins Loans are charged five percent interest during the repayment period, which begins nine months after students graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time. Loans normally range between $2,000 to $3,000 per year under this program.
Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan–Banks and other lending institutions fund these loans. Applicants must show financial need and, in some cases, the amount of need may limit the size of the loan. Repayment begins six months after graduating, leaving school, or dropping below half-time. The interest rate is fixed at 6.8% for loans disbursed after July 1, 2006. Borrowers may have to pay up to 3% fees which will be deducted proportionately from each disbursement of the loan. Students who have a Federal Stafford Loan and have questions concerning their interest rate should contact their lender or the Westmont College Financial Aid Office.
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan–The same terms and conditions as the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans, except that the borrower is responsible for interest that accrues while he/she is in school. The program is open to students who may not qualify for Subsidized Stafford Loans or may qualify for only partial Subsidized Stafford Loans. The combination of Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans for a borrower may not exceed the annual and aggregate limits for loans under the Federal Stafford Loan program. Borrowers may have to pay up to 3% fees which will be deducted proportionately from each disbursement of the loan.
Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)–Parents may take out loans to help pay for educational costs for their dependent students at eligible institutions of higher education. The interest rate is fixed at 8.5% for loans disbursed after July 1, 2006. Repayment begins 30 days after the second disbursement of each loan. Borrowers may be required to pay up to 4% fees which will be deducted proportionately from each disbursement of the loan. Some PLUS loan lenders may postpone payment on principal only while the student is working on the Bachelor’s Degree. Interest would be due.
Work. Federal Work-Study is a federally funded work program. Students are generally limited to a maximum of 16 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours per week during vacation periods. Federal Work-Study is based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. There are also other campus jobs paid with Westmont funds, rather than federal funds, which are not based on need.
Off-Campus Programs. Off-campus programs are listed in the Special Programs section of this catalog. For financial aid purposes, tuition for off campus programs approved by Westmont is the same as tuition charged for Westmont’s on-campus students. For those programs whose tuition is higher than at Westmont, the higher amount will be charged. Other charges for off-campus programs vary by program and are available through the Off-Campus Programs office. Students who participate in these programs are considered to be Westmont students. Therefore, they are eligible to receive aid through Westmont. Students who have Westmont College grants, merit scholarships, awards and loans may use them for ONE PROGRAM ONLY at a Westmont sponsored off campus program, i.e. approved by Westmont, but not taught by Westmont faculty. All financial aid including Westmont institutional grants, merit scholarships, etc., will be available for any Westmont taught programs: Europe, England, Mexico and San Francisco Urban.
Students who choose to access off-campus programs directly and do not go through Westmont will not be eligible for financial aid through Westmont. They will need to reapply to Westmont upon their return.
How to Apply for Aid
Complete and submit a FAFSA form by March 1 to receive priority consideration. The Westmont College code number is 001341. FAFSA forms are available at the counseling office of your local high school and at Westmont College. It is preferred to file the FAFSA over the Internet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Student and parent will both need a personal I.D. number to sign electronically. Apply for the P.I.N. at http://www.pin.ed.gov.
California residents who have not previously been awarded a Cal Grant A or B must carefully review the instructions before completing the FAFSA and completely answer the state residency questions. New Cal Grant applicants must submit a grade point average verification form which must be submitted to the California Student Aid Commission. The deadline for submitting both this form and the FAFSA is March 2. Information about this application process is available at your high school, college, or at Westmont College.
Rights and Responsibilities. Westmont will not make an offer of financial aid until the College has made a decision about admission. If students receive aid, they are expected to enroll full-time, complete 12 units each semester, and maintain a grade-point average at Westmont of 2.0 (“C”) or better. Exceptions to the 12 unit minimum full-time policy are rare and are made on a case-by-case basis by the Financial Aid Committee.
A student is eligible for a maximum of eight semesters of Westmont aid or until graduation, whichever comes first. Transfer students receive aid on a prorated scale of the units transferred at the time of admission to Westmont. Aid is not awarded to students pursuing a second B.A. and/or B.S. degree.
The College applies aid to students’ accounts once each semester. Students who drop below the minimum academic load or withdraw from school may be required to repay a prorated amount of the semester’s aid. Any decision of the Financial Aid Office, including the amount of aid or denial of aid, may be appealed to the College Financial Aid Committee.
Renewal of Aid. Westmont offers financial aid for one year at a time. Renewal is subject to continued financial need and satisfactory academic progress. The amount of financial aid offered each year may be changed from a prior year’s award if FAFSA results are different. All students who request aid after their first year are required annually to file renewal FAFSA.
A veteran or eligible V.A. benefit recipient who remains on probation for grade point deficiency below a 2.0 cumulative GPA beyond two semesters, will have his/her veteran’s benefits discontinued and any further certification of benefits terminated.
Refund Policy. Students who withdraw from Westmont must notify the Student Records Office to start the process. Those with Federal funds (Title IV) will be notified if any of those funds need to be returned to the Federal Government after Financial Aid does the Federal Return of Title IV Funds formula.
The Institutional Refund policy is different than the Federal Title IV Refund policy. See the “Charges” section in this catalog for information on the institutional refund.
The California State Refund policy for Cal Grants is the same as the Westmont Institutional Refund policy.
Scholarships. The scholarship funds listed below have been made available through the generous gifts of friends of the college. These scholarships represent a portion of the total financial aid budget each year. Many of these scholarships help fund Westmont College Academic Merit Scholarships, Westmont College grants, and talent awards. Specific applications for these funds are not necessary.
Abernethy Endowed Scholarship
Adams Music Scholarship
Denise Adams Art Scholarship
Ahmanson Foundation Collegiate Scholarship Program
Steven and Linda Allen Scholarship
Don Anderson Endowed Scholarship
Esther Anderson Memorial Scholarship
The Anodos Scholarship Endowment
Richard Archer Memorial Scholarship
Richard Reed Armstrong Scholarship in Art
George Bate Physics Scholarship
Troy and Linda Bateson Scholarship
Cliff Benton First-Year Chemistry Scholarship
Lawrence, Rebecca and Melinda Berge Scholarship Endowment
Kathryne Beynon Foundation Scholarship
David and Barbara Biehl Heritage Club Scholarship
Bert and Mona Brown Endowment Scholarship
Bunn Family Endowed Scholarship
Burns Endowed Athletic Scholarship
Carl Byers Family Scholarship
Gordon M. and June M. Caswell Endowed Scholarship Fund
The Cobb Foundation Scholarship
Lisa Cochrum Science Education Scholarship Endowment
Joe and Alice Cox Endowed Scholarship
Damitz Brooks Nightingale Turner & Morrisset Scholarship
Deming Endowed Music Fund
Disabled Student Aid
Diversity Scholarship
Downing Street Foundation Women’s Scholarship
Emelco Foundation Scholarship
England Semester Award
Dr. Stewart Ensign Biology Scholarship Endowment
Leonhard Euler Award
Paula Fenner Scholarship Fund
Morris S. and Barbara Ludwig Ferguson Scholarship
William and Marcia Fochler Scholarship
Franklin Science Scholarship Endowment
Frohling Family Scholarship Endowment
Judy Lynn Gaede Scholarship Endowment
Gebert Christian Athlete Scholarship
Goble Family Scholarship Endowment
Goble Fellowship/Scholarship Program
Regina Gor Memorial Scholarship
Grotenhuis Diversity Scholarship
David and Anna Grotenhuis Scholarship
The Hahner Scholarship
Vernon L. Hall Endowed Fund
Gary F. and Frank L. Hieronymus Scholarship Fund
Helen Hieronymus Scholarship
Ardis O. Higgins Music Endowed Scholarship
Allison Gammie Hill Endowed Scholarship
Clarence Hinkle Art Scholarship Fund
Grace Hopper Award
David L. and Anita T. Jackson Scholarship Endowment
April Jones Memorial Scholarship
Chet Kammerer Men’s Basketball Scholarship Endowment
Ruth Kerr Memorial Scholarship
Verna and Reuben Krogh Scholarship Endowment
Louis and Thressa Kuipers Scholarship Endowment
Vincent and Frances LaBarbera Scholarship
Brian Lightner Memorial Scholarship
Lundberg Endowed Soccer Scholarship
Lundberg Soccer Scholarship
Arthur Lynip Award
Phyllis Martin Fine Arts Scholarship
Noel Matthews Basketball Scholarship
David and Jane Maynard Scholarship
George H. Mayr Foundation Endowed Scholarship
George H. Mayr Foundation Scholarship
Emma K. McKee Endowed Scholarship
Ruth McKee Scholarship
Reese Marie McRaven Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Melin Family Scholarship Fund
Paul Raymond Miller Scholarship Fund
Geraldene Morey Scholarship Endowment
Ron Mulder Character and Commitment Warrior Award
Shirley A. Mullen Scholarship Endowment
John and Grace Naftel Scholarship
Wes Nishimura Memorial Art Scholarship
NSF Computer Science/Math Scholarship
Orfalea Family Scholarship
Dr. John Padilla Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Mable Palmer Endowed Scholarship
John and Isabella Parks Memorial Fund
Bert A. and Virginia A. Perle Endowed Scholarship Fund
Valerie Lynn Pfeiffer Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Phi Kappa Phi Sophomore Scholarship
Bretten Drake Pickering Scholarship
Roger R. Post Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Edwin J. Potts Diversity Scholarship
Psychology Alumni Endowment Award
Gladys L. Quackenbush Scholarship
Robert and Mary Quackenbush Scholarship
Dr. John W. Raede Award
Lord and Lady Ridley-Tree Scholarship
Ian and Joyce Ritchie Scholarship Fund
Schmidt Family Scholarship Endowment
Schuele Family Scholarship
Perry and Margaret Shirley Endowed Scholarship
Dorothy M. Shoemaker Memorial Scholarship Fund
Jon W. Simons Scholarship Endowment
Dwight Hervey Small Scholarship
Alyssa Smelley Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Ron Smith Scholarship
Carol K.S. Chung Song Scholarship
David and Carolyn Spainhour Scholarship Endowment
Rose Marie Springer Award
James L. Stamps Foundation Scholarship
John Stauffer Memorial Scholarship
George and Edna Williams Strait Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund
Kristi & Karin Sullivan Women’s Soccer Scholarship
Tom and Sue Sweetman Memorial Scholarship
Caryl Taylor Scholarship Endowment
Annaka Gustafson Thibodeaux Track & Cross Country Scholarship Endowment
Thorrington Men’s Soccer Scholarship Endowment
Track and Field and Cross-Country Scholarship Fund
Gayle and Ruth Tucker Scholarship Endowment
Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation Scholarship
George C. Tyler Scholarship
Walter H. and Eleanor Van Cott Scholarship Endowment
William Visick Scholarship Fund
Myatt and Mary Genevieve Volentine Endowed Scholarship
Kim Wainwright Scholarship Fund
Warrior Sports Endowed Scholarship
LeRoy and Sylvia Weller Endowed Scholarship Fund
Robert N. Wennberg Award Endowment
John E. and Barbara L. Wertin Scholarship
Westmont Carpinteria High School Scholarship Fund
Westmont Foundation Scholarship
Westmont Trustee Scholarship Fund
Dorothy Westra Scholarship
Wheelon Handwriting Award
Cicely Wheelon Scholarship in Physics
Paul and Doris Wilt History Research Award Fund
David K. Winter Servant Leadership Scholarship