Financial Aid
AIM HIGH Western Commitment Scholarship for New Freshmen Entering 2024-25
| Award Amount | Eligibility (What You Need) | Scholarship Renewal Requirements |
| Up to $7,000 | 4.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale | 3.0 GPA at WIU, maximum of six additional semesters |
| Up to $5,000 | 3.50 - 3.99 GPA on a 4.0 scale | 3.0 GPA at WIU, maximum of six additional semesters |
| Up to $3,000 | 3.00 - 3.49 GPA on a 4.0 scale | 3.0 GPA at WIU, maximum of six additional semesters |
AIM HIGH Western Commitment is a merit-based, means-tested matching grant pilot program by the State of Illinois designed to help achieve several state goals including increasing overall Illinois college student retention, improving Illinois college affordability and reducing student loan debt, as well as enhancing enrollment at Illinois public universities. The program began with incoming freshmen for the 2019-20 academic year. AIM HIGH Western Commitment grant funds along with other financial aid cannot exceed a student's total cost of attendance. The grant is not available in the summer.
Funds are limited and eligibility is based on 2024-25 FAFSA results. If eligible and funds are available, AIM HIGH Western Commitment will be listed on the student’s financial aid award letter once their FAFSA has been processed by the Financial Aid Office. Students must activate their ECOM, email, and STARS accounts to receive financial aid correspondence.
- For summer/fall 2024, the priority deadline to apply for admission is March 1, 2024. Register for classes by August 1, 2024.
- For spring 2025, the priority deadline to apply for admission is November 1. Register for classes by January 1, 2025.
An eligible applicant is a first-time incoming freshman accepted into an undergraduate degree program who meets the following requirements:
- Graduate of an Illinois high school
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative high school GPA
- Meet the Family Income Guidelines*
- Illinois resident
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- File a FAFSA
- Enroll full-time at WIU
- Has not yet received a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours
- Is not incarcerated
- Is not in default on any student loan or does not owe a refund or repayment on any state or federal grant or scholarship
For students starting in 2024-25:
| Number of People in Household | Family Income | AIM HIGH Max Income |
|---|---|---|
| One | $13,590 | $81,540 |
| Two | $18,310 | $109,860 |
| Three | $23,030 | $138,180 |
| Four | $27,750 | $166,500 |
| Five | $32,470 | $194,820 |
| Six | $37,190 | $223,140 |
| Seven | $41,910 | $251,460 |
| Eight | $46,630 | $279,780 |
| For more than eight, add this amount for each additional person |
$4,720 |
Students who started classes at WIU in 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24
| Award Amount |
$28,000
($7,000 annually) |
$20,000
($5,000 annually) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.40/4.0+ GPA
Eligibility is determined on the student's expected family contribution and family income*. |
||
AIM HIGH is a merit-based, means-tested matching grant pilot program by the State of Illinois designed to help achieve several state goals including increasing overall Illinois college student retention, improving Illinois college affordability and reducing student loan debt, as well as enhancing enrollment at Illinois public universities. The program began with incoming freshmen for the 2019-20 academic year. AIM HIGH grant funds along with other financial aid cannot exceed a student's total cost of attendance. The grant is not available in the summer.
Funds are limited and eligibility is based on 2023-24 FAFSA results. If eligible and funds are available, AIM HIGH will be listed on the student’s financial aid award letter once their FAFSA has been processed by the Financial Aid Office. Students must activate their ECOM, email, and STARS accounts to receive financial aid correspondence.
An eligible applicant is a first-time incoming freshman accepted into an undergraduate degree program who meets the following requirements:
- Graduate of an Illinois high school
- Minimum 3.40 cumulative high school GPA
- Meet the Family Income Guidelines*
- Illinois resident
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- File a FAFSA
- Enroll full-time at WIU
- Has not yet received a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours
- Is not incarcerated
- Is not in default on any student loan or does not owe a refund or repayment on any state or federal grant or scholarship
For students starting in 2023-24:
| *Minimum $2,000 FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) | ||
|---|---|---|
| and meet the income threshold below | ||
| Number of People in Household | Family Income | AIM HIGH Max Income |
| One | $13,590 | $81,540 |
| Two | $18,310 | $109,860 |
| Three | $23,030 | $138,180 |
| Four | $27,750 | $166,500 |
| Five | $32,470 | $194,820 |
| Six | $37,190 | $223,140 |
| Seven | $41,910 | $251,460 |
| Eight | $46,630 | $279,780 |
| For more than eight, add this amount for each additional person |
$4,720 | |
For students starting in 2022-23:
| *Minimum $2,000 FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) | ||
|---|---|---|
| and meet the income threshold below | ||
| Number of People in Household | Family Income | AIM HIGH Max Income |
| One | $12,880 | $77,280 |
| Two | $17,420 | $104,520 |
| Three | $21,960 | $131,760 |
| Four | $26,500 | $159,000 |
| Five | $31,040 | $186,240 |
| Six | $35,580 | $213,480 |
| Seven | $40,120 | $240,720 |
| Eight | $44,660 | $267,960 |
| For more than eight, add this amount for each additional person |
$4,540 | |
For students starting in 2021-22:
| *Minimum $2,000 FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) | ||
|---|---|---|
| and meet the income threshold below | ||
| Number of People in Household | Family Income | AIM HIGH Max Income |
| One | $12,490 | $74,940 |
| Two | $16,910 | $101,460 |
| Three | $21,330 | $127,980 |
| Four | $25,750 | $154,500 |
| Five | $30,170 | $181,020 |
| Six | $34,590 | $207, 540 |
| Seven | $39,010 | $234,060 |
| Eight | $43,430 | $260,580 |
| For more than eight, add this amount for each additional person |
$4,420 | |
The grant is renewable for up to three years as an undergraduate student as long as renewal criteria is met. AIM HIGH Grant and other financial aid cannot exceed a student's total cost of attendance.
Renewal Criteria:
- Be enrolled full-time at WIU in a degree-seeking program
- Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
- Not have received a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours
- Not be incarcerated
- Not be in default on any student loan or owe a refund or repayment on any state or federal grant or scholarship.
If eligible, AIM HIGH will be listed on the student's financial aid award letter once their FAFSA has been processed by the Financial Aid Office. Students must activate their ECOM, email, and STARS accounts to receive financial aid correspondence.
Students who started classes at WIU in 2019-20 and 2020-21
| Award Amount |
$28,000
($7,000 annually) |
$20,000
($5,000 annually) |
|---|---|---|
| SAT 1060+ / ACT 21+ and 2.75/4.0+ GPA Eligibility is determined on the student's expected family contribution and family income*. |
||
AIM HIGH is a merit-based, means-tested matching grant pilot program by the State of Illinois designed to help achieve several state goals including increasing overall Illinois college student retention, improving Illinois college affordability and reducing student loan debt, as well as enhancing enrollment at Illinois public universities. The program began with incoming freshmen for the 2019-20 academic year. AIM HIGH grant funds along with other financial aid cannot exceed a student's total cost of attendance. The grant is not available in the summer.
Funds are limited and eligibility is based on 2019-20 or 2020-21 results. If eligible and funds are available, AIM HIGH will be listed on the student’s financial aid award letter once their FAFSA has been processed by the Financial Aid Office. Students must activate their ECOM, email, and STARS accounts to receive financial aid correspondence.
An eligible applicant is a first-time incoming freshman accepted into an undergraduate degree program who meets the following requirements:
- Graduate of an Illinois high school
- Minimum 1060 SAT/21 ACT and a 2.75 high school GPA
- Meet the Family Income Guidelines*
- Illinois resident
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- File a FAFSA
- Enroll full-time at WIU
- Has not yet received a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours
- Is not incarcerated
- Is not in default on any student loan or does not owe a refund or repayment on any state or federal grant or scholarship
For students starting in 2020-21:
NOTE: AIM HIGH Grant funds for the 2020-21 school year have now been exhausted.
| *Minimum $2,000 FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) | ||
|---|---|---|
| and meet the income threshold below | ||
| Number of People in Household | Family Income | AIM HIGH Max Income |
| One | $12,140 | $72,840 |
| Two | $16,460 | $98,760 |
| Three | $20,780 | $124,680 |
| Four | $25,100 | $150,600 |
| Five | $29,420 | $176,520 |
| Six | $33,740 | $202,440 |
| Seven | $38,060 | $228,360 |
| Eight | $42,380 | $254,280 |
| For more than eight, add this amount for each additional person |
$4,320 | |
For students who started 2019-20:
| *Minimum $2,000 FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) | ||
|---|---|---|
| and meet the income threshold below | ||
| Number of People in Household | Family Income | AIM HIGH Max Income |
| One | $12,060 | $72,360 |
| Two | $16,240 | $97,440 |
| Three | $20,420 | $122,520 |
| Four | $24,600 | $147,600 |
| Five | $28,780 | $172,680 |
| Six | $32,960 | $197,760 |
| Seven | $37,140 | $222,840 |
| Eight | $41,320 | $247,920 |
| For more than eight, add this amount for each additional person |
$4,180 | |
The grant is renewable for up to three years as an undergraduate student as long as renewal criteria is met. AIM HIGH Grant and other financial aid cannot exceed a student's total cost of attendance.
Renewal Criteria:
- Be enrolled full-time at WIU as an Illinois undergraduate student in the degree-seeking program
- Freshmen entering WIU in 2019-20 must maintain a cumulative 2.75 GPA each semester; freshmen entering WIU in 2020-21 must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
- Not have received a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours
- Not be incarcerated
- Not be in default on any student loan or owe a refund or repayment on any state or federal grant or scholarship.
If eligible, AIM HIGH will be listed on the student's financial aid award letter once their FAFSA has been processed by the Financial Aid Office. Students must activate their ECOM, email, and STARS accounts to receive financial aid correspondence.
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