The following is a description of the federal and state financial aid programs available at West Coast University for students who qualify. Additional information may be obtained through the Financial Aid Department.
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.
Private Loans & Scholarships
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. In addition to private loans, a wide array of scholarships funded by outside sources is available to students. Scholarship eligibility criteria vary. West Coast University also offers several scholarship programs to eligible students. Contact the Financial Aid Department for assistance.
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.
WCU Nursing Partner Grant
(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
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, and meet the following criteria:
- Must have previously applied for admission but cancelled prior to June 15, 2015
- Must demonstrate financial need and have an unfunded tuition and fee balance owed to WCU.
- California applicants: A minimum composite score of 8, based on entrance examination and cumulative GPA as described in the catalog admissions requirements, is required.
Texas applicants: A minimum HESI score of 83 upon application to WCU is required.
Amounts awarded may vary based on demonstrated financial need, but will not exceed a maximum of $9,500 for California applicants and $6,000 for Texas applicants per semester. Awards are renewable each academic year for students who meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, have demonstrated financial need for the subsequent academic year, and are current on their payment plans. This grant may not be combined with any other WCU grant or scholarship. This grant is not available for Florida applicants.
Centennial Scholarship - California Campuses
The Centennial Scholarship is available for students attending a California on-ground campus who meets 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:
• 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).
• 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. Applicants who seek to move from conditional to unconditional enrollment status must re-take the entrance exam at least seven calendar days after the original attempt and no later than 30 days after the original attempt.
• Submit academic transcripts to WCU for all prior education prior to the start date. For purposes of this scholarship, initial evaluation of eligibility may be based on unofficial transcripts, pending verification of official transcripts. Official transcripts must be received before the end of the first term of study or the scholarship will be forfeited. Scholarship eligibility will be evaluated based on the applicant's High School CGPA if the applicant has attempted less than 18 semester hours of study at a postsecondary institution. If the applicant has attempted 18 or more semester hours of study, the evaluation will be based on the CGPA for all prior postsecondary education.
• 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. Applicants must submit a scholarship application that includes a summary of attempts at financing and the results. Attempts must be confirmed by the campus Financial Aid Director.
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.
Scholarship eligibility is re-evaluated each academic year at the time of financial aid re-packaging. To be considered for renewal, students must have a CGPA at West Coast University of at least 2.75, an unfunded gap balance for the upcoming academic year, and documented attempts at gap financing.
There is no cash value for this scholarship, if a student withdraws in the middle of the semester, the scholarship award will be pro-rated based on tuition and fee charges earned for the semester. Students who withdraw during an academic year will forfeit future disbursements. The terms and conditions and eligibility criteria for the Centennial Scholarship are subject to change, and the program may be discontinued at any time. The Centennial Scholarship may not be combined with any other WCU scholarships/grants.
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
Award Details:
- Apply to West Coast University’s BSN or LPN to BSN program
- Meet all WCU program admissions requirements
- Take and pass the TEAS V with a minimum score of 70 (first attempt only)*
*Note: An exception may be made for Miami students to consider the second attempt if the applicant has completed a TEAS V preparation workshop administered by West Coast University.
If selected as a recipient, to receive a disbursement each subsequent semester, all students must:
- Abide by all WCU academic and conduct policies
- Attend full-time at West Coast University
- Maintain a cumulative GPA at West Coast University of at least 3.0
- If you qualify, the total amount awarded is divided into equal installments and applied on a semester by semester basis, once continued eligibility has been established.
There is no cash value for the scholarship; if a student withdraws in the middle of the semester, the scholarship award will be pro-rated based on tuition and fee charges earned for the semester. Students who withdraw without graduating will forfeit future disbursements.
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.
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. 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.
Award Details:
• Meet all WCU program admissions requirements
• Take and pass one of the college entrance exams with AT LEAST:
* A score of 85 on the HESI (first attempt only) OR
* A 1760 SAT Composite Score on Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing OR
* A 25 ACT Composite Score on English, Mathematics, Reading and Science OR
* A score of 70 on the TEAS V (first attempt only)
If selected as a recipient, to receive a disbursement each subsequent semester, all students MUST:
- Abide by all WCU academic and conduct policies
- Attend full-time at West Coast University
- Maintain a cumulative GPA at West Coast University of at least 3.0
- If you qualify, the total amount awarded is divided into equal installments and applied on a semester by semester basis, once continued eligibility has been established.
There is no cash value for the scholarship; if a student withdraws in the middle of the semester, the scholarship award will be pro-rated based on tuition and fee charges earned for the semester. Students who withdraw without graduating will forfeit future disbursements.
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.
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.
Awards are applied to the student’s account balance to cover tuition, fees, and supplies charges. To meet initial eligibility requirements, applicants must submit a completed application to the campus Financial Aid Director along with the following:
1. Letter of interest from the student which includes the student’s identification number.
2. Copy of American Career College Vocational Nursing transcript
3. Faculty letter of recommendation
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.
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
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.
To be eligible to apply for the WCU Greg Jarvis Simulation Scholarship, students:
1. Must be a US Citizen or have permanent residence.
2. Must be enrolled in the BSN program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
3. Must be identified as the campus top simulation performer during the enrollment of NURS 481L (based on highest CSET score). In the event of a tie, final scores from NURS 480 will be taken into account. Students must attend 90% of the NURS 481L clinical rotation.
4. Must submit a personal statement describing how simulation has enhanced his/her nursing practice, and how completion of a Bachelor Degree in Nursing, and RN license, will help continue his/her work in this field. *Note: The essay must be typed and be between two and three pages.
5. Must be in good standing academically, financially, and through strict compliance with the University’s Code of Conduct, Drug and Alcohol policy, Academic Honor Code and any other policy applying to the University’s students. *Note: Professional and respectful behaviors required on campus, at any clinical location, and in situations where students are serving as representatives of the University.
Applicants must complete and submit the application with all required documents prior to the end of NURS 481L in week 9 of the term.
Nursing Excellence Scholarship
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. To be eligible to apply for the Nursing Excellence Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
1. Provide evidence of U.S. citizenship, or have permanent residence status;
2. Enroll in the BSN or LPN-BSN program at WCU;
3. Be employed by a clinical partner of WCU, which must submit a letter of recommendation on the student’s behalf that speaks to his or her professional accomplishments;
4. Submit a scholarship application, including a personal statement (of no more than 1000 words) describing how the scholarship would enhance their educational and professional development.
Eligibility for the scholarship is reassessed each semester. To maintain scholarship eligibility, students must:
1. Maintain a cumulative GPA through the previous semester of at least 3.0;
2. Remain in good standing academically, financially, and through strict compliance with the University’s Code of Conduct, Drug and Alcohol policy, Academic Honor Code and all other
University policies.
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.