General Financial Aid Information

Application Checklist

Are you ready to start your undergraduate education at Western? Are you a returning student seeking financial aid for the first time? Use this checklist to help you navigate through the many steps and important dates to ensure your financial aid notification letter is delivered to you on time!

Application Process

Financial Aid Office - OM 265

This document provides an easy-to-follow guide and helpful hints which will make the application process smoother.

FAFSA Tips

This information is provided to help you avoid some of the frequent errors that are made when completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Undergraduate Information

This document contains helpful hints which will make the application process smoother for undergraduate students.

Graduate Information

This document contains helpful hints which will make the application process smoother for graduate students.

Student's Rights and Responsibilities

It is important that students understand their rights and responsibilities in the financial aid process.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Understanding the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is important to your success at Western.

Eligibility for many financial aid programs is based in part on an academic year. Western Washington University defines an academic year as three quarters with each quarter consisting of 10-11 weeks, comprising an academic year of at least 30 weeks during which a full-time undergraduate student would complete 45 credit hours to make regular academic progress toward a four-year baccalaureate degree. Generally, the minimum number of credit hours required to receive financial aid on a fulltime basis for undergraduates is 12 credit hours per quarter.

Alternative Educational Financing

The WWU Financial Aid Department strives to meet the demonstrated financial need of Western students to afford the high cost of a college education. With certain eligibility issues and funding availability, some students may have a funding gap between their financial need and the amount of funds that federal, state, and institution aid programs can provide. Alternatives are available to help fill the funding gap.