Returning Students

Western Washington University makes every effort to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants through grants, scholarships, work study, loans, or some combination of these student aid programs. Aid is available to help meet educational costs including tuition and fees, books and educational supplies, housing and food, transportation and personal expenses. Eligibility for financial aid is determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on an annual basis. For summer financial aid, students must also complete a WWU Financial Aid Summer Application.

To be considered for most federal, state, and institutional types of financial aid, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be qualified to study at the postsecondary level as demonstrated by any of the following items:
  • a high school diploma (this can be from a foreign school if it is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma);
  • completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law; or
  • a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, including,
    • a general educational development or GED certificate;
    • an academic transcript of a student who has successfully completed at least a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward a
      bachelor’s degree (Transfer students, see our FAQ for details); or
    • a determination made by the Admissions Office that a student without a diploma excelled in high school
• Have a High School diploma or GED certificate. Effective July 1, 2012; new students without a high school diploma, GED or did not complete secondary school in a homeschool setting will not be eligible for Title IV funds
• Be admitted into a degree or certificate-granting program at WWU
• Not owe a refund on a previous grant and not be in default on a previous educational loan
• Be a U.S. citizen or national, a permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress 

Note: students without a high school diploma or an equivalent and who were enrolled in an eligible educational program of study before July 1, 2012, may continue to be considered eligible for financial aid under either an approved Ability To Benefit test or has satisfactorily completed six credits of college work that are applicable to a WWU degree or certificate.

Other less frequently encountered eligibility requirements may apply in certain circumstances. Please contact us for additional information if you have unique or unusual circumstances that you wish to discuss.

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.