Western Washington University (WWU) is committed to providing financial assistance to students who demonstrate financial need. In the 2021-2022 academic year, WWU awarded over $90 million in financial aid to more than 11,000 students.
Types of Financial Aid
WWU offers a variety of financial aid options, including:
- Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria. WWU offers a variety of scholarships, including the Western Washington University Foundation Scholarship, the President’s Scholarship, and the Alumni Scholarship.
- Grants: Grants are need-based financial aid that does not have to be repaid. WWU offers a variety of grants, including the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and the Washington State Need Grant.
- Loans: Loans are borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. WWU offers a variety of loans, including the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, and the Federal Direct PLUS Loan.
- Work-study: Work-study allows students to earn money to help pay for college expenses. WWU students can work on campus or off campus.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.gov.
The FAFSA deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is June 30, 2023.
How Financial Aid is Awarded
Financial aid is awarded based on a student’s financial need. Need is determined by subtracting the student’s expected family contribution (EFC) from the cost of attendance (COA).
The EFC is calculated using a formula that takes into account the student’s income, assets, and family size. The COA includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation costs.
Financial Aid Deadlines
The priority deadline for financial aid applications is March 15. Students who apply for financial aid by this deadline will receive priority consideration for all types of financial aid.
Students who apply for financial aid after March 15 may still be eligible for financial aid, but they may not receive as much aid as students who applied by the priority deadline.
Tips for Applying for Financial Aid
Here are some tips for applying for financial aid:
- Complete the FAFSA as early as possible.
- Gather all of the required financial documents before you start the FAFSA.
- Be accurate and complete on the FAFSA.
- Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) carefully.
- Contact the WWU Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.
Resources
The WWU Financial Aid Office is located in Old Main 220. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The WWU Financial Aid website has a wealth of information about financial aid, including:
- How to apply for financial aid
- Types of financial aid
- Financial aid deadlines
- Tips for applying for financial aid
Conclusion
Financial aid can help make college more affordable. If you are a student who needs financial assistance, we encourage you to apply for financial aid.
FAQs
What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal and state financial aid.
When is the FAFSA deadline?
The FAFSA deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is June 30, 2023.
How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for financial aid, you must complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.gov.
What types of financial aid are available?
WWU offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study.
How is financial aid awarded?
Financial aid is awarded based on a student’s financial need. Need is determined by subtracting the student’s expected family contribution (EFC) from the cost of attendance (COA).
Tables
| Type of Financial Aid | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Pell Grant | Up to $6,895 | Students with exceptional financial need |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) | Up to $4,000 | Students with exceptional financial need |
| Washington State Need Grant | Up to $9,708 | Washington state residents with financial need |
| Western Washington University Foundation Scholarship | Varies | Students with academic merit |
| President’s Scholarship | Varies | Students with exceptional academic merit |
| Alumni Scholarship | Varies | Students with a parent or grandparent who is a WWU alumnus |
| Type of Loan | Interest Rate | Repayment Term |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Direct Subsidized Loan | 4.99% | 10 years |
| Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan | 4.99% | 10 years |
| Federal Direct PLUS Loan | 6.28% | 10 years |
| Type of Work-Study | Hourly Wage | Hours per Week |
|---|---|---|
| On-Campus Work-Study | $12.00 | 10-20 |
| Off-Campus Work-Study | $12.00 | 10-20 |
Strategies
- Apply for financial aid as early as possible.
- Gather all of the required financial documents before you start the FAFSA.
- Be accurate and complete on the FAFSA.
- Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) carefully.
- Contact the WWU Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.
- Explore all of your financial aid options.
- Consider applying for scholarships.
- Apply for grants.
- Take out loans only if necessary.
- Work part-time to earn money for college expenses.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until the last minute to apply for financial aid.
- Not gathering all of the required financial documents before starting the FAFSA.
- Making mistakes on the FAFSA.
- Not reviewing the Student Aid Report (SAR) carefully.
- Not contacting the WWU Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.
- Not exploring all of your financial aid options.
- Assuming that you will not qualify for financial aid.
- Borrowing too much money.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Financial aid can help make college more affordable.
- Financial aid can help students pay for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation costs.
- Financial aid can help students avoid taking on excessive debt.
Cons
- Financial aid can be complex to apply for.
- Financial aid is not always sufficient to cover all of a student’s college expenses.
- Some types of financial aid, such as loans, must be repaid.
