Post Baccalaureate Students

Post-baccalaureate students (students who have already earned their first bachelor’s degree) who are admitted into a degree program, approved certificate program, or preparatory program for admission into an undergraduate, certificate or graduate degree program may be eligible for Federal Direct Loans if they have not already reached the aggregate maximum federal loan amount. Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan funding may also be available for dependent students. Most other types of financial aid cannot be used for post-baccalaureate programs. 

Post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for state or federal grant programs. 

We encourage all post-baccalaureate students to apply for scholarships via the WWU Scholarship Portal annually or by submitting applications for private scholarships posted on the WWU Scholarship Center's Website.

 

General Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for financial aid, post-baccalaureate students must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a complete FAFSA for the aid year
  • Be admitted into a degree or federally fundable certificate-granting program at WWU, or be approved for a preparatory program for admission to an undergraduate, certificate, or graduate program
  • Be enrolled in at least 6 credits each quarter of required coursework
  • Not owe a repayment on a previous grant and not be in default on a previous federal student loan
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

  • Complete the Post-Baccalaureate Eligibility form annually once prompted

     

Post-Baccalaureate Annual Federal Loan Limits

The amount of federal student loans a post-baccalaureate student is eligible to borrow per year is based on their dependency status and their program

  • Post-Baccalaureate: Certificate Program
    • Dependent student: $5,500
    • Independent student: $12,500
  • Second Baccalaureate Degree
    • Dependent student: $7,500
    • Independent student: $12,500
  • Preparatory Coursework (Preparatory coursework can be funded by federal aid for a maximum of one 12-month consecutive period)
    • Annual Direct Loan limits for prerequisite coursework to a post-bac program are:
      • Dependent student: $2,625
      • Independent student: $8,625
    • Annual Direct Loan limits for prerequisite coursework to a graduate program are:
      • Dependent student: $5,500
      • Independent student: $12,500

Applying for Financial Aid

  • Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), beginning October 1st of each year available at studentaid.gov using WWU's Federal School Code for the FAFSA 003802 .
  • Review the Financial Aid Checklist for additional important steps applying for financial aid.
  • Review the FAFSA Submission Summary for accuracy.
  • Contact our office before making corrections and submit them to the federal processor. You can contact the federal processor at 800.433.3243 for additional information.
  • Respond promptly to any requests for information from the Financial Aid Department and include student name and ID number on all documents submitted.
  • Review the Offer of Financial Aid once available in Web4U, the student portal, and accept or decline aid as needed.
  • Complete federal loan requirements in Web4U as indicated
  • Maintain a personal financial aid file for your records and keep copies of all documents.
  • Keep your address current with the Registrar’s Office. You may also update your personal information in Web4U or by contacting 360.650.3432

Emergency Loans

Financial Aid offers short-term loans ranging from $50 - $900. The eligibility criteria varies and there is a processing fee on each loan. The Emergency Loan application is available on the Financial Aid website.