Graduate Studies » Current Students » What’s Next

What’s Next

Checklist for Graduate Students

  1. Fill out an application for Admission into the Graduate program of your choice and return it to the appropriate office as listed on the application.
  2. Send Official Transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate coursework.   If you completed your undergraduate degree at West Liberty University then you do not need to send your official WLU transcripts.
  3. If you are interested in Financial Aid
    1. You will need a Federal Department of Education PIN to complete the FAFSA.  If you do not already have a PIN you may apply for one at www.pin.ed.gov
    2. Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  ***This must be done every year for financial aid.
    3. Complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note at www.studentloans.gov .  Under “Managing My Direct Loan” click “Sign In”.
  4. Fill out the Graduate Financial Aid Application.
  5. If you are interested in applying for the TEACH Grant (only available for students in the MAED Special Education Emphasis)
    1. Make sure you have filled out your FAFSA
    2. Fill out the TEACH Grant application and return it to the Highland Center
    3. Complete the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve at https://teach-ats.ed.gov/ats/studentHome.action
  6. Once you are accepted into the program. Register for courses on your WINS account.  To login to your WINS go to www.westliberty.edu and click on the WINS logo in the upper right hand corner.  User ID is you Student ID number your PIN number the first time you log in is your 6 digit birthday (mmddyy).
  7. After you have registered for courses we will then be able to process your financial aid. You will now access your financial aid on line via your WINS accounts.  Students must accept their awards on WINS.  Below are the instructions to accept financial aid:
    1. Log into WINS
    2. User ID – Student ID Number
    3.PIN – your six digit birth date the first time – unless you have updated
    4. Click on the gray Financial Aid Tab at the top of the page
    5.  Click on the blue Award link in the middle of the screen
    6. Click on the blue Award for Aid Year link in the middle of the screen
    7.  Choose the appropriate award year form the drop down box
    8. Click on the gray Terms and Conditions Tab, complete if not already done.
    9.Click on the gray Accept Award Offer Tab
    10. Choose “Accept” or “Decline” from the drop down boxes for all funds that are in offered status.
    11.Submit

Note – Failure to accept or decline all funds will cause your award to partially submit and your financial aid will not be complete causing a delay in any refunds.  Do not use the “undecided” option.  This will also cause a submission failure on your award.

E-Mail Accounts

All students will have an email account through West Liberty University.  Students are excpected to regularly check their WLU email accounts as faculty and adminstration primarily contact students through their email accounts.  Email accounts for new students will be created prior to classes beginning each semester. You will be able to access your email address through your WINS account. Once you are logged into WINS, click on “Personal Information”, then “Email Address”.

Due to recent changes made by IT Services, from now on, all new students will have an email address of first initial followed by middle initial and last name followed by @westliberty.edu ([email protected]). To access your email account, click on the GMAIL icon on the homepage (next to the WINS icon). You will need to enter your username, which will be your email address, minus the @westliberty.edu. Your password will be your eight digit date of birth (MMDDYYYY). If you have any questions regarding your email account, please contact the IT Services HELP Desk at 304.336.8886.

TopperNet Emergency Text Messaging System

Once classes begin, students are encouraged to sign up for TopperNet. TopperNet is provided by Rave Wireless and is WLU’s emergency text message system.  TopperNet is used to notify you when classes are canceled or if any other emergency arises.  You will need your WLU email address and your cell phone number when registering for this service.  There is no fee for this service. To sign up for TopperNet:

Go to https://www.getrave.com/login/westliberty Click on “Register Now”

Complete the information on the “Create Account” page, agree to the Terms of Service, and click “Next”.  A confirmation screen will appear, explaining that Rave has sent you an e-mail. Go to your e-mail account and click the link.  When you click the link, a 4 digit code will be sent to your phone.  A screen will open on your compter asking you to type in that code.  This will take you to your main account screen. You’re done!

Academic Adviser

All students enrolled at West Liberty University are assigned an academic adviser to assist the student with class scheduling and meeting graduation requirements.  Academic advisers are assigned to new students prior to the semester beginning.  The name of your academic adviser can be found in WINS under the “Student Services” menu.  Select “Student Records” from the “Student Services” menu, and the select “View Student Information”.  You can locate telephone numbers and email addresses for advisers in the WLU directory, which is available on the home page next to the WINS icon.  Office locations are posted outside of the Registrar’s Office in Main Hall.

E-Billing

West Liberty University has gone “green!”  We are excited to offer our students the convenience of E-Billing.

Here are some facts about this new and exciting process of delivering student billings:

1).  Student invoices will be sent via WLU student email accounts once per semester (late July for the Fall semester and early December for the Spring semester). The student schedule/invoice reflects all charges and credits currently on the student’s account, as well as the student’s current schedule.

2).  Statements of account will be sent to the student on a regular basis via their West Liberty University email account.  The statement is for informational purposes alerting the student of the financial obligations on their accounts.  Account activity can occur on a daily basis and the student will be informed in a timely manner.

3).  Students must be diligent in checking their email accounts for the E-Billing   It is important to keep the lines of communication open, in addition, stay within FERPA regulations (Privacy Act).  This is why it is so important that the student communicate this information to all interested parties.

4).  Failure to satisfy financial obligations to the Business Office can result in adverse consequences such as  stopping admission to classes, late fees, holds on grades, registration, transcripts, and in extreme cases, total withdrawal from classes.

The Business Office can assist students in understanding this process.  Please call (304) 336-8013 or (304) 336-8944 with any questions you may have in this regard.