FAQ’s for Parents
By Kimberly Alt, sophomore advertising major

You got questions? We got answers! Welcome to this new Frequently Asked Questions Parents’ page about university resources, financial aid, and scholarships. If you have any unanswered questions, please feel free to contact Ted Hoef, dean of student affairs, at hoeftl@webster.edu.

1. What academic support service does your campus offer?
The Academic Resource Center, located in Loretto Hall provides academic assistance services to all students. These include peer review of papers, tutorial assistance, accommodations for students with disabilities, as well as assessment tests, study strategies, and note taking.

2. What is done to help provide a safe campus environment?
Webster University’s Public Safety department is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are emergency phones located all over the campus that directly link to Public Safety for a quick response. The emergency phones are blue phone boxes with a light on top. There are 17 located on campus. Public Safety is available upon request to escort students having to walk alone at night to their class, car, meeting, library, or other university-sponsored events.

3. What is there to do on campus?
There are over 60 different student organizations covering a variety of interests. (If a student can’t find one that interests them – they can start one by talking to Director of the University Center, John Ginsburg). Student Activities and Campus Recreation constantly host fun activities in which students can participate. The Student Activities Council also sponsors events throughout the year, including free sneak peaks to movies before they come out to theatres! Campus Recreation just started their bowling league and holds an open play volleyball every Tuesday night. In addition to this, Webster has 6 men’s sports and 7 women’s sports that compete against other NCAA III division institutions. Also located on campus is the famous St. Louis Repertory Theatre where students can see professional performances at a discounted price. Students can also go to see Conservatory performances for free.

4. What kind of city is St. Louis?
St. Louis is a richly diverse city. You can find different cultures all over St. Louis, which brings a great variety of food and entertainment. A popular place to visit is downtown St. Louis. The Arch and sports arenas for St. Louis baseball, hockey, and football are located here. There is also the St. Louis Zoo, Forest Park (along with many other parks), and Missouri Botanical Gardens for those who enjoy the outdoors.

5. Do you have merit scholarships?
Yes, Webster University recognizes students on the basis of academic merit and leadership. Two examples of scholarships that can be awarded during enrollment at Webster University are The Energizer Leadership Award and Student Government Association Award. For more information about scholarships please see http://www.websteruniv.edu/finaid/scholarships/scholarship.html, or call Admissions at 1-800-753-6765.

6. How many students attend Webster University?
At the main campus in Webster Groves, we have roughly 2,300 full time undergraduate students. We also have 1,000 part-time undergraduates and 3,300 graduate students at the main campus. Worldwide, we have approximately 21,000 students enrolled at over 100 campuses.

7. Are all financial aid awards based solely on need?
No, Webster University also offers scholarships awarding exceptional achievement for academic or artistic talents, as well as leadership. Inquiries for scholarships can be answered by the Admissions office at 1-800-753-6765. For more information, see http://www.websteruniv.edu/finaid/scholarships/scholarship.html

8. What is considered financial need?
Financial need is figured by the difference between a family’s resources and total college costs. To determine a family’s level of need, the FAFSA (free application for student aid www.fafsa.ed.gov) should be completed annually, with Webster listed under the school code.

9. If I do not claim my child on my tax return, can he/she be considered independent?
A student can be considered independent for federal aid purposes if you can answer “yes” to at least one of the following questions:
• Is your child 24 years old?
• Will your child be working on a Master’s or Doctorate program?
• As of the day you complete the FAFSA, is your child married?
• Does your child have legal dependents?
• Is your child a veteran?
• Is your child an orphan or ward of the court?

10. I understand that Parent Loans are based on a good credit rating. I do not have a good credit rating, what will happen when I apply?
If you apply for the Parent Plus loan and are denied, the school will receive a copy of the denial notice to the parent. Once the denial notice is received by Webster, the Parent Plus Loan can be replaced with a maximum of $4,000 Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (for incoming freshmen), which is another student loan. Eligibility will be evaluated at the time of the denial. The amount is per academic year. The PLUS loan must be reapplied for annually in order to check the credit-worthiness of the parent.

11. How do we choose a lender for our child’s student loan?
Webster University can use any lender that participates in student loans. There are brochures of student preferred loans in the Financial Aid office. For specific loan information, you should contact the lender and ask for a brochure stating their policies.

12. Are there loan fees for student loans and parent loans, and when do the loans go into repayment?
Yes, the maximum that can be taken out for fees is 4%. The lender takes the 4% as an origination and guarantee fee. The borrower is responsible for repaying the entire amount borrowed, even though they are charged the fee. Student loans go into repayment 6 months after the student withdraws, graduates from college, or drops below the credit hour status for the agreed upon financial aid award. Parent loans go into immediate repayment after the first disbursement has been sent to the school. Both loans generally have a 10-year repayment schedule.

13. Will the aid package my student is offered be renewed annually?
All scholarships are renewed if the student meets the required standards that are established for the scholarship. The student must maintain full-time enrollment to have their scholarship renewed (flat fee status for Webster university scholarships). All other financial assistance is reviewed annually when the family completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If the family’s income increases, eligibility for grants, work study, and need based loans, could be affected.