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We're here to help you every step of the way

Once you have submitted your application for admission at Westwood College, your student finance specialist can work with you to help you understand the sources of money available to pay for college and help guide you through the process of applying for grants and loans.* Your student finance specialist will guide you through the Westwood student finance portal that takes you step-by-step through the grant and loan application process. 

Just follow these steps:

Prepare:  Do your homework

• Understand the total cost of your education, including tuition, books and fees
• Obtain your personal identification number from the U.S. Department of Education at pin.ed.gov.
  You can’t get federal grants and loans without a PIN.
• Identify a credit-worthy co-borrower (co-signer) – someone willing to sign for you on your loans.
• Gather the following information:
  • PIN (Personal Identification Number) – go to pin.ed.gov.
  • Social Security number and driver’s license/id
  • W-2 forms and other income records
  • Prior-year tax return for yourself and/or spouse (if married) and for your parents (dependent students only)
  • Co-borrower contact information

Apply:  Identify grants and loans available to you

• Meet with your student finance specialist to start the process of applying for grants and loans
• Access the Student Finance Portal - one-stop shop to apply for grants and loans
• Complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) mandatory for getting federal grants and loans

Receive:  Obtain grants and loans available to you

• Review your financial aid award letter to understand what grants and loans are available to you, and meet with your student finance specialist
• Accept all grants that are offered: grants do not need to be repaid
• Review federal loans offered; always choose federal loans first
• Even with grants and federal loans, you might still have a gap to cover to pay for your education. Don’t worry. There are other options to help cover the costs. Your student finance specialist will determine if private loans or APEX Institutional Financing is available to you.

Repay:  Borrowed money must be repaid

• In-school payments - Typically, Westwood students pay $150 or less per month while in school. If you can pay more, do it. It will reduce the amount you owe in loan finance charges.
   
• Out-of-school payments - Loan payments begin on many loans when you graduate or leave Westwood. To better understand when your loans are due and when repayment begins, review our section on default.

If you can't repay your loans, do not ignore the problem.  It creates serious long-term consequences, including bad credit.  If you are having problems, work with your student finance specialist or call 877-553-7010.
  

Questions?

Early application is encouraged to ensure availability of funds, so you’ll want to complete the financial aid application process as soon as you enroll.

*Financial aid available to those who qualify