RA Benefits are available to assist with educational costs. Upperclassmen can apply to be a Resident Assistant (RA) in exchange for various levels of room benefits along with a small stipend. The housing benefit and stipend must be included as a resource in the financial aid package. This is based on regulations from the U.S. Department of Education that govern federal financial aid programs. This means that a student's level of financial need is affected and in turn, eligibility for Subsidized Stafford loans and Federal Work Study will be less than in previous years. Students who have an RA position and do not apply for financial aid or submit a financial aid application will not be approved to work a job on campus. More information is available from the Office of Residence Life.
Tuition Exchange - This benefit is for spouses and dependents of College and University employees. It is recommended that you start the application process in the fall prior to the year your child will attend. Many decisions are made by January or February. Contact your employer's Human Resource office for more information. Tuition Exchange scholarships replace all other W&J Scholarships and Grants. Students eligible for grants and scholarships from outside sources can use these funds to help pay room and board costs. Commuters will have their Tuition Exchange award reduced by the amount of outside funding they receive.
Tuition Remission - for employees and spouses/dependents of employees of W&J. Tuition Remission scholarships replace all other W&J Scholarships and Grants. If a student is commuting, grants from the federal and state governments will decrease the remission award.
Military Benefits - Washington & Jefferson College is approved for Veteran Education benefits. Some programs also allow for the transfer of benefits to go to qualifying dependents. Determination is made by the Veterans Administration.
Private College 529 Plan- This is a new way to pay for a child's future education costs and is more of a long term investment.
NEED (Negro Educational Emergency Drive) - Washington & Jefferson College has partnered with the NEED program and PHEAA's PATH program to provide unique funding opportunities to African-American students from specific counties in Western Pennsylvania. These counties include Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland.
NEED is a community based organization offering financial aid, internships, and counseling to help young African-Americans apply to, finance, and complete higher education. The funding from NEED helps to fill the gap that exists after federal, state, and institutional aid has been exhausted.
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) has a unique program that uses an allocation from the state to match private contributions to students from participating agencies. NEED is one of these agencies, so there is potential for funding from both NEED and PATH for students who meet the criteria.
Interested students can visit NEED's website (www.needld.org) for more information or to complete an online application.
