Financial Aid Programs

The following is a description of the various financial aid programs available at West Coast University for students who qualify. Additional information may be obtained through the Financial Aid Office.

State Aid Programs

Cal Grant Program: Cal Grant A and B are State grant programs administered by the State of California and are available to eligible students who have applied before the March 2nd deadline. Student eligibility must be approved by the California Student Aid Commission. Grants are based on funds available from the State and do not have to be repaid. All Cal Grant payments are credited to the student’s account to cover outstanding tuition fees, and supplies. However, a student may request direct payment of his or her Cal Grant B access funds up to the date the fund transaction actually occurs.

Chafee Grant Program: The California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth is a grant program administered by the State of California. To qualify, the student must be a current or former foster youth and not have reached his or her 22nd birthday as of July 1st of the award year. The court must have established dependency for the student between the ages of 16 and 18. (KinGap youth, adopted youth, guardian placement, and voluntary placement may not be eligible for the Chafee Grant, unless court dependence was established, at anytime, between the ages of 16 and 18.) The California Department of Social Services will verify an applicant’s foster youth eligibility status. Chafee Grant payments will be credited to the student’s account at West Coast University to cover tuition, fees, and supplies. Excess Chafee Grant funds may be used to pay for child care, rent, or transportation while attending school. The Chaffee Grant is federally and state funded and is subject to the availability of funds each year.

More information about Cal Grants and Chafee awards is available online at https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/logon.asp.

Federal Aid Programs

Federal Pell Grant: The Federal Pell Grant program provides a foundation of assistance to which other forms of aid may be added. Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant Program is determined by a standard need-analysis formula that is revised and approved every year by the federal government. Student must be enrolled in an undergraduate program and may not already have a bachelor’s or professional degree. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be paid back. The maximum Federal Pell Grant for 2016-2017 is $5,815 per academic year. A student can receive a Federal Pell Grant for no more than 12 semesters or the equivalent.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are available to a limited number of students with exceptional financial need. Grants are based on funds available and do not have to be repaid. Need is determined by the financial resources of the student's family and the cost of attendance.

Federal Work-Study (FWS): The Federal Work-Study program provides jobs for graduate and undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses. The program encourages community service work related to the student’s course of study. Funds under this program are limited. Students interested in obtaining a Federal Work Study job should contact the Student Affairs Office.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan: Under the Federal Direct Loan (FDL) program the University certifies eligibility for each loan, and sends the loan details to the U.S. Department of Education. Loan proceeds are disbursed to the University electronically and then posted to the student's account. Students must repay the loan with interest to the servicer assigned by the U.S. Department of Education after the loan is disbursed.

Subsidized Direct Loan: Federal Direct Subsidized loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need. Students may borrow up to $3,500 for their first academic year, $4,500 for the second academic year, and $5,500 for the third and fourth academic years, at a fixed interest rate which is established annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Current interest rates can be found at https://studentloans.gov. The interest is paid by the federal government while students are in school. Interest begins accruing at the time students cease full-time enrollment or fail to carry at least one-half the normal full-time University workload. Regular payments begin six months after students cease enrollment or fail to carry at least one-half the normal full-time University workload. First-time borrowers may not receive this type of loan for more than 150 percent of the length of their program of study; U.S. Department of Education may stop paying interest if student who received Direct Subsidized Loans for maximum period continues enrollment.

Unsubsidized Direct Loan: Unsubsidized Direct loans are available for students to borrow for additional education costs. Independent undergraduate students can borrow up to $9,500 for their first academic year, $10,500 for the second academic year and $12,500 for their third and fourth academic years, as a combined total with the Federal Subsidized Direct loan. Dependent undergraduate students can borrow up to $5,500 for their first academic year as a combined total with the Federal Subsidized Direct loan, $6,500 for their second academic year and $7,500 for their third and fourth academic years. Graduate students can borrow $20,500 each academic year. Interest rates are fixed and established annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Current interest rates can be found at https://studentloans.gov. With the exception of demonstrating financial need and undergraduate status, borrowers must meet all eligibility criteria of the Federal Subsidized Direct loan program. Interest payments begin immediately after the loan is fully disbursed or may be added to the principal balance. Regular payments begin six months after students cease enrollment or fail to carry at least one-half the normal full-time school workload.

Interest Rates

Interest rates are fixed and established annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Current interest rates can be found at https://studentloans.gov.

Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Federal Parent Loans for undergraduate students provide additional funds for credit-worthy parents to help pay for students’ educational expenses. Interest rates are fixed and established annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Current interest rates can be found at https://studentloans.gov. Repayment begins immediately after the loan is fully disbursed.

Direct PLUS loans for Graduate Students (GRAD PLUS)

Federal Graduate PLUS Loans for students pursuing a graduate or professional degree provide additional funds for credit-worthy graduate students to help pay for students’ educational expenses. If a student has no credit or a poor credit history, he/she may still qualify for a loan by applying with a credit-worthy endorser. Interest rates are fixed and established annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Current interest rates can be found at https://studentloans.gov. Repayment begins immediately after the loan is fully disbursed.

Private Loans, Scholarships and Grants

Private Loans

Private loans are available to students through various lending institutions. Private loans, which are privately insured, cover educational expenses beyond what is covered by federal loans. The student must be a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. national, or a permanent resident and must be creditworthy. International students are eligible with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident) and appropriate U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service documentation. The student may be enrolled full- or half-time. If the student has no credit or a poor credit history, he/she may still qualify for a loan by applying with a creditworthy co-borrower.

Institutional Aid - Scholarships and Grants

A wide array of scholarships funded by outside sources is available to students. Scholarships are a form of aid that helps students pay for their education. Unlike student loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid. Scholarship eligibility criteria vary so students should research carefully.

West Coast University offers several scholarship programs to eligible students. A description of each is listed below. Contact the Financial Aid Department for assistance.

WCU Nursing Partner Grant - Online Programs Only

This Grant has been updated. Please see Addenda.

(Formerly known as WCU Clinical Partner Grant)

WCU has established a Nursing Partner grant in order to promote online higher education to the employees of WCU’s Nursing Partners. Grant amounts vary but will not exceed 20% of tuition and required fee charges each term. To be eligible for the Nursing Partner Grant, a candidate must meet all of WCU’s admissions requirements, be admitted to the university, complete the Nursing Partner attestation and allow for verification of eligibility. Verification of eligibility may require the student to submit documentation of proof of employment by the Nursing Partner. Please contact the WCU Financial Aid department for additional information. The WCU Nursing Partner Grant may not be combined with any other WCU scholarships or grants.

WCU Opportunity Grant

Effective with January 2016 start, Opportunity Grant is only offered in Dallas, Texas.

The WCU Opportunity Grant is offered to qualified students who are enrolled in the on-ground BSN or LVN-BSN programs at West Coast University and have exhausted all other attempts at gap financing. To qualify, a student must meet all admissions requirements of the program, demonstrate financial need and have an unfunded tutition and fee balance owed to WCU after personal contribution of $200 per month. This grant is only available for Texas students. Additional eligibility requirements may be required.

Amounts awarded may vary based on demonstrated financial need, but will not exceed a maximum of $6,000 per semester. Awards are renewable each academic year depending on eligibility. This grant may not be combined with any other WCU grant or scholarship. Please contact the WCU Financial Aid department for additional information.

Centennial Scholarship - California Campuses

The Centennial Scholarship is available for students attending a California on-ground campus who meet the qualifications detailed below. Applicants will be evaluated based on a composite score of criteria including entrance test score and CGPA.

To qualify for a scholarship award, applicants MUST: (1) Apply to West Coast University’s BSN or LVN to BSN on-ground programs and meet all WCU program admissions requirements for full enrollment (not conditional enrollment); (2) Earn a minimum entrance test score of 76 on the HESI exam, or a comparable score on the TEAS V, SAT, or ACT exam and have at least a 2.00 CGPA; (3) Submit academic transcripts to WCU for all prior education prior to the start date; and (4) Must have exhausted all other financing options and still have a remaining unfunded gap balance of tuition and fees owed to West Coast University for the academic year after application of federal and state fund sources noted below.

Award amounts vary, up to a maximum of $10,000 per full-time semester. Scholarships will be applied to tuition and fees each semester for a maximum of eight semesters. Please see the Financial Aid department for additional requirements and information. The Centennial Scholarship may not be combined with any other WCU scholarships or grants.

WCU Nursing Partner Scholarship - Online Programs Only

WCU provides a limited number of full scholarships to employees of WCU's premier Nursing Partners. Nursing Partner Scholarship awardees are selected by the individual Nursing Partner. Students must meet all WCU admissions requirements and be admitted to the University. A list of participating Nursing Partners is available in the Admissions Office. Continued employment by the Nursing Partner is required for renewal of the scholarship each academic year.

Centennial Merit Scholarship - Florida Campus

The Centennial Merit Scholarship is available to qualified, new, full-time students enrolling in the on-ground West Coast University BSN or LPN to BSN programs who meet minimum entrance exam test scores.

Eligibility will be determined based on prior college coursework if at least 18 units were attempted;
otherwise, high school CGPA will be used. There are a limited number of scholarships available for each new starting class. Scholarship amount vary, and will be awarded on a first-come, first serve
basis. The maximum award available is $2,500 per semester, for a maximum of $20,000 over 8 full time semesters

The terms and conditions and eligibility criteria for the Centennial Merit Scholarship are subject to change, and the program may be discontinued at any time. The Centennial Merit Scholarship may not be combined with any other WCU scholarships. Please see the Financial Aid department for more information.

Centennial Merit Scholarship - Texas Campus

The Centennial Merit Scholarship is available to qualified, new, full-time students enrolling in the on-ground West Coast University BSN or LVN-BSN programs There are a limited number of scholarships available for each new starting class. Applicants will be evaluated based on a composite score of criteria including entrance test score and CGPA.

To qualify for a scholarship award, applicants must meet all WCU program admission requirements for full enrollment (not conditional enrollment); and earn a minimum entrance test score of 76 on the HESI exam, or a comparable score on teh TEAS V, SAT, or ACT exam. Scholarship amounts vary, and will be awarded on a first-come, first serve basis. The maximum award available is $3,750 per semester, for a maximum of $30,000 over 8 full time semesters.

The terms and conditions and eligibility criteria for the Centennial Merit Scholarship are subject to change, and the program may be discontinued at any time. Centennial Merit scholarship may not be combined with any other WCU scholarship or grants. See the Financial Aid department for more details.

BSN Pathway Scholarship

WCU offers a scholarship to any eligible American Career College (ACC) graduate who has successfully completed the Vocational Nursing program at ACC and who has been admitted into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at WCU. The deadline to apply is sixty (60) days prior to the start of a student’s junior year at WCU or any semester thereafter, and the maximum award amount is $3,500 per semester, for a maximum of 4 full-time semesters. This scholarship is available to on-ground students only.

The student must meet the following eligibility requirements: (1) Student must be a junior or senior BSN student in good standing at a WCU California campus (must have successfully completed a minimum of 60 semester credits); (2) Student must have graduated from the American Career College Vocational Nursing program; and (3) Student must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average on the basis of credits earned at WCU. The University will award the scholarship each semester following the submission of an eligible application to those who continue to meet the requirements of the scholarship. For more information, students should contact the Financial Aid Director at the campus they are attending. The BSN Pathway Scholarship may not be combined with any other WCU scholarship or grants.

MSN Alumni Pathway Grant

Discontinued - Please see Addenda.

The MSN Alumni Pathway grant is only available to online students who enroll in the inaugural class of MSN advanced generalist program. This grant excludes the RN to MSN program.

West Coast University has established an Alumni Pathway grant in order to promote online higher education to the alumni of WCU’s Bachelor degree in Nursing. Grant amounts will not exceed 20% of tuition and required fee charges each term. To be eligible for the MSN Alumni Pathway grant, a candidate must meet all of WCU’s admissions requirements, be admitted to the university, and start online courses in the inaugural class beginning on August 29, 2015. Please contact the WCU Financial Aid department for additional information. The MSN Alumni Pathway grant may not be combined with any other WCU scholarships or grants.

Norma Ford Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded to select BSN, LVN-BSN, LPN-BSN, or BSDH students based on academic and need-based qualifications as they enter their 3rd or 4th academic year at West Coast University. Applications are available in the campus Financial Aid Office and must be approved by the Financial Aid Director prior to consideration by the scholarship committee. To apply, the students must have a minimum 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average at West Coast University and have exhausted all other options for gap financing, as confirmed by the campus Financial Aid Director. This scholarship is only available to on-ground students.

Scholarship awards will be applied to tuition and fees at West Coast University each semester for a maximum of four semesters. Awards vary but will not exceed $5,000 for California students, $3,750 per semester for Texas students, and $2,500 for Florida students, per full-time semester. Funds are limited. Not all who apply will receive a scholarship. This scholarship may not be combined with any other WCU grant or scholarship.

Greg Jarvis Simulation Scholarship (Available for all campuses)

In 2011, West Coast University honored alumnus Greg Jarvis with the presentation of its first-ever “Distinguished Alumnus Award”. Following the presentation of this prestigious award, WCU announced the “Greg Jarvis Scholarship Award”, to be given to students who had outstanding achievements in simulation education. Mr. Jarvis was a Detroit, Michigan native who served in the Air Force, and was awarded a Masters Degree in Management Science from West Coast University. In early 1986, Mr. Jarvis was chosen by NASA to join the crew of the Challenger space shuttle. The nation watched in horror as the spacecraft exploded shortly after launch, killing all members aboard. Subsequently, Mr. Jarvis was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

West Coast University is a national leader in health care simulation education, and this scholarship appropriately honors Greg Jarvis’ memory, for his professional life, his contributions to technological advancements, and the use of simulation technology in preparation for manned space flight.

The WCU Greg Jarvis Simulation Scholarship awards $1,000 to one student recipient per term (5 total), per campus, and is applied against tuition charges for the following term. The scholarship covers tuition and fees only. Applicants must complete and submit the application with all required documents prior to the end of NURS 481L in week 9 of the term. For more information concerning eligibility requirements and required documentation, please see the Financial Aid department.

Nursing Excellence Scholarship - Miami Campus Only

The Nursing Excellence Scholarship is awarded to select West Coast University - Miami nursing students who are employed by a clinical partner of WCU and who have demonstrated professional excellence in their healthcare careers. A current list of clinical partners is available from the campus Admissions Office. This scholarship is only available to on-ground students.

The scholarship awards up to $1,500 per semester for up to eight semesters ($12,000 maximum award) and is applied to tuition and required fees at WCU. Verification of employment and clinical affiliation status will be at the sole discretion of WCU. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis and satisfaction of eligibility requirements does not guarantee that a scholarship will be awarded upon enrollment at WCU. The scholarship may not be combined with any other WCU grants or scholarships. For eligibility requirements and additional information, please see the Financial Aid department.