Widener University

Tuition, fees, housing and meal plan charges are published in the Guides to Fees and Payments. The guides are also available in the Enrollment Service Center in Lipka Hall. The guides for Undergraduate Day, University College, Graduate and Law School in pdf format are all located on the University website under the link above.

How do I get verification of my student’s enrollment for our insurance?

The Registrar Office in Enrollment Services has a form available online Enrollment Verification Form for your use. Please print out and complete the form and return it to the address or fax number on the form.

What do we do about applying for financial aid?

You must apply for financial aid each year. Widener University requires undergraduate and graduate students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The priority deadline for receipt of a completed FAFSA (must have a valid family contribution calculated) is February 15^th for new students and March 1^st for continuing students. Widener recommends that you apply online each year because the federal online application process contains expanded instructions and a series of automatic edit checks as you complete the required information. You should have your tax information and asset information ready for both the parent and the student when you apply. You may estimate your FAFSA financial information, but please keep in mind that your offer of need based aid is only as good as your estimates; federal, state and University aid offers may be revised when we confirm your information. Visit the Student Financial Services website for additional information, links to worksheets to use prior to applying, and direct links to the federal FAFSA application website.

What is academic progress for financial aid?

Recipients of federal, state and Widener merit and need based financial aid must maintain academic progress for continued aid eligibility. Widener University standards of progress for financial aid are located under Forms and Publications on the Student Financial Services website. If you are the recipient of state grant funds, the state award notification you receive will outline progress requirements. Widener University academic scholarship recipients are notified of the requirements for maintaining that award in their scholarship letter from Admissions. Widener encourages all parents to review satisfactory progress guidelines and make sure your student understands them as well.

Widener University academic scholarships and need based aid, as well as state grant funds, are all only offered for four years of full time undergraduate study. In order to complete an undergraduate degree at Widener in four years, students should be completing (with a passing grade) a minimum of 30 new credits each year toward their degree program. Students should meet with their academic advisor to review their enrollment and credit completion rates. The minimum credit hours a student can be registered for and be considered as full time for a semester is 12 credits.

How does my student use Federal Work Study?

Students who have demonstrated financial need as a result of filing the FAFSA application and received Federal Work Study as a part of their financial aid offer can obtain work on campus. Job listings are available online each semester and students often apply in offices or areas of the University that interest them. Federal Work Study students earn a salary and are paid through the University Payroll office. Federal Work Study earnings are not directly applied to the student’s account as are other sources of aid. More information on work study can be found in the Student Employment Handbook under Forms and Publications on the Student Financial Services website.

How do we enroll in or waive the Widener University student health insurance plan?

All undergraduate and transfer students, as well as graduate students enrolled in either the Master of Physical Therapy, Social Work or the Psy.D Program are required to have health insurance which provides basic medical benefits, while enrolled at Widener University. Students will annually receive a waiver/acceptance card, which must be completed and sent back to Student Health Services.

If a student chooses to accept the Widener University Insurance plan, the student should:

Check the "I want to enroll" box

Complete the remainder of the card

Mail the card to Widener University Student Health Services

If a student chooses not to accept (waive) the Widener University Insurance plan, the student should:

Check the "I do not want to enroll" box

Attach a copy of the front and back of their current health insurance card

Mail the card to Widener University Student Health Services

(NOTE: Students who participate on athletic teams or play any club sports are required to purchase the Widener University Excess Athletic Injury Policy, there is no waiver for this coverage.)

When do we receive semester billing statements?

Widener University will provide your student’s account statement in electronic and hard copy formats periodically throughout each semester (Billing Schedules are provided in each year’s Guide to Fees and Payments). You will be able to view a copy of your student’s account statement through CampusCruiser and the “My Online Student Account” function if you are an authorized user for payments.

Hard copy statements will be mailed to the designated preferred address on file at the time the statement is produced. All electronic statements will be sent to the student’s CampusCruiser account and to any authorized payment account users that have been set up by the student. Information on how students can set up authorized users is available on the Bursar Office website.

If you encounter problems, please contact Enrollment Services at enrollmentservices@widener.edu or call 610.499.4161.

What options do we have for payment plans?

Widener University offers semester payment plans to assist with managing your student’s account. Payment plans are designed to assist students and parents in managing the “gap” or balance remaining after all charges and financial aid have been applied to the student account. Widener University assesses charges by semester; the statement of account will reflect charges for the current semester tuition, fees and housing. Your financial aid award letter also breaks up your annual award by semester and applies financial aid to your student’s account by semester.
Widener payment plans are designed to assist in covering each semester balance. Please note that any additional charges incurred may require adjustment to your plan.

Widener University offers Summer Semester and Fall/Spring Semester based payment plans:

Summer 3 Month Semester Payment Plan

Enrollment Fee: $50 per semester

The 3 month semester payment plan is available for the Summer Semester. This plan distributes the total semester estimated net charges across 3 months with payments due:

Summer Semester – May, June and July

Fall / Spring 4 Month Semester Payment Plan

Enrollment Fee: $50 per semester

The 4 month semester payment plan is available for both the Fall and Spring Semesters. This plan distributes the total semester estimated net charges across 4 months with payments due:

Fall Semester – August, September, October, and November

Spring Semester – January, February, March and April

If you have any questions regarding payment plans or payment options contact Enrollment Services at busoffmc@mail.widener.edu or call 610.499.4161.

What is a “hold” on my student’s records?

Widener University places “holds” on student records which restrict students from registering for classes, receiving copies of transcripts or other University documents, and graduating from the University. These holds are used to restrict services available to students who are in financial arrears or who have otherwise failed to comply with student conduct, academic or administrative policies. Your student can view any applicable holds placed on their student records through Campus Cruiser. Assistance with determining whom to contact to discuss and resolve a University hold can be obtained by contacting the Enrollment Services at 610-499-4161 or by emailing enrollmentservices@widener.edu.

Where does my student go for counseling or academic assistance?

Academic Support Services is comprised of a number of programs that are designed to help Widener University students maximize their academic success. Participation in these programs and services is included in the basic tuition charge at Widener—no extra fee is charged for any of these services.

Disabilities Services is a support service for students with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or psychological disabilities. This office works cooperatively with students to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to access academic programs and other aspects of university life.

The Office of Academic Coaching provides academic support to students through services such as: individualized academic coaching (for upperclassmen as well as freshmen), an Early Assessment program to identify freshmen who are struggling academically, and freshman seminars to assist students in adjusting to college academics.

Project Prepare is a support service for students who are academically and financially disadvantaged, designed to help prepare students for the rigors of college academics.

Tutoring at the Tutoring Center is available and coordinated through Tutoring Services. Students wishing assistance in math or writing may contact the Math Center, and the Writing Center, respectively. All of these services have day and evening hours.

The purpose of the Counseling Center is to provide Widener University students access to counseling, psychotherapy, education, assessment, and psychiatric services.

How do parents put money on a student’s Campus1Card?

Parents can deposit additional dollars on their students PRIDE Bucks account by completing the PRIDE Bucks Deposit Form and returning it by fax or mail to Enrollment Services. Deposits can also be made anytime in person at the Lipka Hall Enrollment Service Center. Visit the Campus1Card website for additional information.

How do I send a package to my student?

Receiving mail can be an uplifting experience when you are away from home. If you are mailing a letter or package to your student, please be sure to list the student’s name and box number. The Widener University Post Office will not deliver mail without these two items.

For example:

Your Student’s Name

Widener University

Box # ______
One University Place

Chester, PA 19013-5792

Does Widener University have a crisis response plan?

Widener University’s Crisis Managment Plan is the primary source for guiding university administrators in preparing for and confronting emergency situations.

Because Widener's campus safety is of paramount importance, we have developed a detailed crisis management plan. The purpose of this plan is to protect the lives of Widener community members and safeguard the property of the university—all at minimal risk to individuals. Information can be found on Widener University's Emergency Preparedness website.

What if I have questions about my student’s University housing?

The Widener University Residence Life Office provides residence halls with Resident Assistant (RA) staff who are there to assist your student in learning and understanding the policies of the University and to familiarize them with the locations and names of resources. As residence life staff members, they also enforce the University's policies. RAs go through extensive training in the summer to give them the skills to deal with situations that arise in the residence halls. Graduate Assistants (GA) supervise the RAs in their duties. GAs possess a bachelor’s degree and are working toward their graduate degree. The Residence Life Office can be contacted by calling 610-499-4390 or by emailing them at residencelife@mail.widener.edu.

My student is having trouble picking a major. What should they do?

Career Advising and Planning Services (CAPS) at Widener University provides resources and guidance to assist students with all aspects of career development. CAPS counselors will help your student choose a major, explore career options, obtain just the right internship, apply to graduate school, or find a job. CAPS has developed a page especially for Widener parents with information on services and a Career Planning Course for Parents.

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