Processing Your Aid

All new freshman and incoming transfer students are sent a financial aid award letter via U.S. mail to the permanent address on file. All students have access to an electronic copy of their financial aid award letter through the Financial Aid Self-Service Portal. We also send an award notice electronically via the student's West Texas A&M University email account when the award letter is ready to view on the portal.

The award letter will include all eligible financial aid awards, as long as funds are available. State aid programs are awarded on a first-come, first -served bases and funding is limited.

To view and accept/reject your financial aid award go to BuffAdvisor and login using your Buff ID. Access the Financial Aid section by clicking on Students. Then, under the Financial Aid section, click on Accept/Reject My Awards to accept or reject each award.

Determining Need

When applying for federal student aid, the information you report on the FAFSA is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The formula used to calculate your EFC is established by law and is used to measure your family's financial strength on the basis of your family's income, assets, family size and number of family members in post-secondary education. The EFC is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid as well as other student aid programs. Cost of Attendance (COA) is also referred to as a budget. Financial need to determined by subtracting the EFC from the COA. Please see the formula below:

 Cost of Attendance

- Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

= Financial Need

Your eligibility for need-based aid is determined by subtracting other outside financial assistance (scholarships) from the calculated financial need. Students are not allowed to receive aid that exceeds their Cost of Attendance.

Cost of Attendance

- Financial Aid Awarded So Far*

= Eligibility for Non-need-based Aid

*Includes aid from all sources

What Happens Next?

FINAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT

You must have a final high school transcript on file by the end of your entering semester in order for financial aid funds to be released to you the following semester. You may send you official high school transcript to:

Office of Admissions
West Texas A&M University
Box 60907
Canyon, Texas 79016

Official transcripts must have:

• an original signature of a school official or an original school seal
• graduation date
• grades/credits for all high school courses completed

West Texas A&M University's Office of Admissions will accept transcripts sent electronically through EMAS. Faxed high school transcripts are considered unofficial.

Financial Aid Disbursement Dates

These dates represent the first day disbursement can be made for each semester. Aid is disbursed no sooner than the first class day each semester, provided you have completed all eligibility requirements. If your aid is not disbursed, please log onto mybuff.wtamu.edu, click on Buff Advisor, Students, then Accept/Reject My Awards to check the status of your financial aid.

Reminder: You must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) to be eligible  for the majority of aid programs. Always check your billing statement in Buff Advisor to see if your financial aid has applied to your student billing account.

Reminder: You must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) over the course of the summer (May Intercession, Summer I, Summer II) to be eligible for the majority of aid programs. Always check your billing statement in Buff Advisor to see if your financial aid has been applied to your student billing account.

Reminder: You must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) to be eligible for the majority of aid programs. Always check your billing statement in Buff Advisor to see if your financial aid has applied to our student billing account.

Master Promissory Note and Loan Counseling

A student loan is financial assistance that enables students and parents to borrow money from the federal government, state government or private lenders. These loans must be repaid. Each student receiving a Subsidized or Unsubsidized Direct Loan loan for the first time at West Texas A&M University must also complete Loan Entrance Counseling.

Master Promissory Note

Borrowers are responsible for signing a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for each loan program. When signed, the MPN is a binding, legal document through which the borrower agrees to repay the loan. The MPN should be read carefully and a copy retained for the borrower's records. Direct Loan MPNs must be completed online by the borrower at studentaid.gov.

Entrance Counseling

Once you have accepted a Direct Loan, you will need to complete Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov.

Exit Counseling

Upon withdrawing, graduating, or dropping below half-time, you will be sent information regarding Loan Exit Counseling if you have received any of the following:

• Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized or Unsubsidized)
• Federal Direct Plus Loans

Online exit counseling for Federal loans may be completed at studentaid.gov.