Glossary

Attempted Credits include all credits that appear on your academic history record including repeated, failed, incomplete, withdrawals (W), and transcripted transfer credits. Pay close attention to the Registrar’s Office important dates and deadlines. The last day to withdraw from a class without incurring a “W” is the ninth day of every quarter. The last day to withdraw from a class without incurring an “XM” grade is the fifth day of every quarter.

Completed credits are credits for which a passing grade is received such as A through D-, P, or S. All credits transferred in to Western are considered as completed credits. 

Note: repeat courses do not count toward the completed credits per Western's Registrar's Office Repeat Policy.

September 17 is Constitution Day. This day commemorates the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution. Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year is required to hold an educational program about the U.S. Constitution for its students on September 17. If that day falls on a weekend, Constitution Day should be held in the preceding or following week. WWU's Financial Aid Department publishes information about the program and Constitution Day on the website.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application that must be filled out to determine eligibility for financial aid from the federal government to assist with educational expenses related to the student's educational program. The FAFSA requires income and asset information from the applicant (the student) and in many cases the student's parent or parents or for independent students, the student's spouse.  For more information about whose information may be required to submit on the FAFSA, the dependency status at studentaid.gov can be reviewed.

Students who are unable to provide parent information on the FAFSA due to extenuating circumstances may qualify to appeal for independent student status, so that their aid eligibility will exclude parental data.  More information about a dependency override is available on the financial aid website.

The FAFSA Submission Summary (beginning with the 2024-2025 aid year) is a summary Federal Student Aid that provides basic information about eligibility for federal student aid and lists the answers provided on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

The FAFSA Submission Summary is not a financial aid offer.

This federal loan has a fixed interest rate and may be available to the parents of dependent students and to graduate students regardless of need. See the Direct Loan Interest Rates and Direct Loan Origination Fees tables for rate and fee details. 

Borrowers must complete a PLUS Application, pass a credit check, and complete the PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). Graduate students must also complete Entrance Counseling. PLUS loans go into repayment 60 days after the last disbursement, but can be deferred with continuous enrollment.

Financial aid probation is an aid-eligible status for a given quarter or quarters while the student is on a plan, that allows students who failed to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and who have appealed and had aid eligibility reinstated to receive aid. 

If eligibility for financial aid is reinstated, the amount of financial aid the student receives is subject to the availability of funds. As a result, it is possible that some funds originally offered will not be available for a reinstated student.

Students placed on financial aid warning, suspension, or probation will be notified after the end of the applicable term. Notification will be delivered via e-mail to the student's official WWU e-mail account.

It is the student's responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Department if a grade correction becomes available that may re-establish their eligibility for financial aid.

Financial aid suspension is an aid-ineligible status and students may not receive aid until eligibility is reinstated either through an appeal process OR by reinstating themselves. 

Students should review the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy to understand what areas are monitored and why they are placed on suspension.

SAP suspension status is for financial aid recipients and is separate from the University Scholastic Standards as outlined in the University Catalog.

Students may be placed on financial aid warning if they do not meet the minimum requirements per the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. 

Students remain eligible to receive aid for one quarter while in warning status.

Failure to meet these requirements listed above for a second subsequent quarter of attendance after the warning quarter will be placed on financial aid suspension.

SAP warning status is for financial aid recipients and is separate from the University Scholastic Standards as outlined in the University Catalog.

The GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a number that indicates how high you scored in your courses on average. Using a scale from 0.0 to 4.0, your GPA tracks your progress during your studies. This number is used to assess whether you meet the standards and expectations set by the degree program or university.

When we evaluate Satisfactory Academic Progress, we look at your cumulative WWU GPA, which is calculated based on all the classes you've taken at Western. This means that transfer credits do not count towards this value.

Students must meet the scholarship standards of the University to remain eligible for financial aid. University scholarship standards include maintaining at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students (or higher depending on their program). The GPA requirement is monitored quarterly. Scholarship standards allow for a limited number of quarters during which a student may improve their cumulative GPA to the minimum requirement.

Students dismissed from the University for not meeting the scholarship standard will also have their financial aid eligibility placed in suspended status. There is no financial aid warning period after university dismissal. Scholastic standards for undergraduate and graduate students are fully described in the University Catalog.

Grants are gift aid that do not need to be repaid.  Generally, grants are offered based on financial need as calculated by submitting a FAFSA or WASFA annually.  Review the state grants section of the website for any information related to withdrawals or reducctions in enrollment and the requirements for repayment. 

In accordance with HEOA 489 Amended HEA Sec. 485B, Western Washington University is required to disclose to all borrowers that any loan borrowed by a student or eligible parent will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). The information reported to NSLDS will be accessible by guarantee agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. Borrowers may review their federal direct loan history and information by logging into studentaid.gov.

A loan provides funding that must be repaid.  Different loans accrue interest in different ways.

Federal Loans offered via financial aid offers at WWU are available when an eligible student submits a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  These loans are funded through the federal government. WWU participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program by offering Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized and Parent or Graduate PLUS Loans (Unsubsidized). Loan eligibility and amounts are determined based on the FAFSA, class level, and dependency information. 

WWU also certifies private educational loans through private loan lenders based on an application with the lender of choice by the student or parent borrower.  A list of lenders that we frequently work with is posted on the Private Loans section of our website.  Private loan lenders have different fees or interest rates and you should carefully review the loan terms and conditions with the lender of your choice.  

Other Financial Assistance (OFA) are grants, scholarships, loans or other funding a student receives from an individual or organization separate from the Federal, State, and Institutional funding awarded by the Financial Aid Office.  OFA is funding that is provided due to post-secondary enrollment.  

Outside/Private Scholarships are awards that students apply for and are awarded outside of Western Washington University. These may be local scholarships from your community, state or national awards. There are many resources for assisting students in finding these opportunities. For example, TheWashBoard.org is a free, student-centered, online clearinghouse for both Washington residents and students attending Washington colleges and universities who are seeking college scholarships.

A fire or police officer, defined as an individual who is serving in accordance with State or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency, or at a planned special event or as defined in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b).

Scholarships are awarded based on a wide variety of criteria. While scholarships are based primarily on merit, you can also receive scholarships based on financial need, academic interests, talents, leadership, community service and career goals. Scholarships do not have to be repaid after graduation. Scholarship information is available in the Scholarship Center, Old Main 285 or students can visit the Scholarship Center website.

State grants include all state grant and state scholarship programs.  More information about the various programs is available on the grants section of the financial aid website. 

The SAI is an index value that is used to determine the types and amounts of financial aid a student is eligible for. The information submitted on the FAFSA is used to calculate the SAI.

The SAI is calculated according to a formula established by law. Data elements such as income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security) all could be considered in the formula. Also considered is family size. 

Contact the Financial Aid Department if corrections need to be made, or to request a reevaluation of aid eligibility if there has been a significant loss or reduction of income since completing the FAFSA.

If there has a significant loss or reduction in income or ability to pay for educational expenses since the FAFSA was filed or since the tax year associated with filing the FAFSA, a Professional Judgement determination may be applied to allow the Financial Aid Department on a case-by-case basis to revise the SAI and re-calculate financial aid eligibility.

Examples may include loss or reduction of income due to job loss or loss of financial benefits or extraordinary medical expenses that will impact the ability to pay for educational expenses. Contact the Financial Aid Department for more information.

The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is a need-based loan for undergraduate students with a fixed interest rate.  The federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time, during loan deferment periods and for the first 6 months after a student leaves school (grace period).  See the Direct Loan Interest Rates and Direct Loan Origination Fees tables for rate and fee details.  More information about the federal loan programs are available at studentaid.gov.

Title IV aid refers to the federal financial aid programs authorized under the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended in 1998, and includes: Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, TEACH Grant, Direct Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Federal Work Study.

Transfer credits -  All credits transferred in to Western are considered as completed credits. For example, a new transfer student coming in with a direct transfer AA degree is considered to have 90 attempted and completed credits for a completion rate of 100%.

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based on financial need.  While a student is in school, in deferment or forbearance, interest on the disbursed amount of the loan accrues.  Students can pay their accrued or capitalized interest while in school if they would like.

A student is responsible for the accrued interest during all periods.  

See the Direct Loan Interest Rates and Direct Loan Origination Fees tables for rate and fee details.  More information about the federal loan programs are available at studentaid.gov.

The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is available to students who are residents of Washington who do not file a federal financial aid application (FAFSA). 

The WASFA is available to students who are considered undocumented or for whom do not otherwise qualify for federal financial aid due to immigration status. The WASFA can also be used in limited circumstances by other applicants who cannot or choose not to file a FAFSA.

Students who submit a WASFA are applying for state aid.  Students who are eligible for federal aid are encouraged to submit the FAFSA to maximize financial aid eligibility.  A student who is eligible for and files a FAFSA does not also need to submit a WASFA.

Work Study is a form of financial aid which provides employment opportunities on campus and in the local community. Students earn a paycheck for the hours worked and the funds earned are not subtracted from the tuition bill. Work study earnings are subject to federal income tax like other jobs.  Federal Work Study earnings (not State or Institutional) may impact future Student Aid Index (SAI) aid eligibility calculations.

Work study is offered to students with high financial need. Those students who are not offered work study are encouraged to access the Work Study Center's web page where a variety of on or off campus positions are posted. Additional information is available in the Work Study Center in Old Main 245 or on the Work Study Center website.