Payments, Tuition, and Fees

Fall 2021, Winter 2022, and Spring 2022

Note: Tuition and fee rates are subject to change.

HOW TO PAY

Payments to CWU may be made by cash, check, credit and debit cards - Discover, VISA, MasterCard, money orders, cashier’s checks, and traveler’s checks. Payments may be made in person, by mail, or on-line. Checks should be made payable to Central Washington University.

In Person
In-person payments can be made weekdays from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Cashiers Office in Boullion Hall 101. (In-person credit and debit card payments are processed until 4:30 p.m. each week day.)

By Mail
Allow sufficient time for delivery. Make sure your check has your name and ID number for proper identification. Checks must be payable to Central Washington University and sent to:

Central Washington University
Cashiers Office
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7490

Credit/Debit Card Payments
Credit /debit card payments can be made in person at the Cashier’s Office until 4:30 on weekdays, or online 24 hours any day of the week. Credit card payments cannot be made over the phone, by mail, by fax or by e-mail.  Online credit and debit card payments are assessed a non-refundable 2.85% convenience fee ($3 minimum) by our online vendor. 

Online - Current and Prospective Students
Please login to your MyCWU Account through the CWU home page to access the Make a Payment link.  Students can also assign guest access for designated individuals to make payments on their behalf. 

Online - Parents
The student can grant Guest User Access to parents or guardians by logging into their MyCWU Account and clicking the Make a Payment link. Under the “Authorized User” tab, they can click “Add Authorized User” and enter a parent/guardian email address. They then select if they want the authorized user to be able to view payment history and account history, in addition to the account balance, and click Continue. To finish authorizing the user, they will click Continue on the Authorized User Agreement. The authorized user receives two emails from the payment servicer, with username, temporary password, and instructions for setting up their guest user account. After that has been set up, they can log in at any time to view the account balance and make a payment. Payments can be made using credit/debit card (Discover, Visa, or MasterCard) or bank account (checking or savings). Online credit and debit payments will be assessed a 2.85% convenience fee by the online vendor.

Payment History
Students are responsible for reviewing their payment status. Payment history can be reviewed online through MyCWU> Student > Financial> View My Student Account.

PAYMENT AND REFUND POLICY

Payments
When a student registers for classes, a financial obligation is incurred. All tuition and fees are due at the beginning of the quarter and must be paid prior to the sixth day of instruction. Tuition may be paid by cash, check, Discover, Visa, or MasterCard to the Cashiers Office. A $75 late tuition fee will be assessed approximately ten business days past the last day of the change of schedule period. If the tuition has not been paid, a $125 late fee is added approximately on the 30th day of instruction. Tuition and fee adjustments will be made for adding and/or dropping a course prior to the sixth day of instruction without late fees. Standard tuition and fees apply. Late registration fees will be assessed for adding courses after the fifth day of instruction. Students’ tuition and fees will not be removed due to non-attendance. Official withdrawal procedures must be followed.

Registering for classes or receiving services for which payment is required will create a CWU account and constitutes a contractual financial obligation according to the rules and regulations of the State of Washington. The student or other CWU account holder agrees to pay for all charges incurred at Central Washington University including but not limited to Tuition and Fees, Housing and Dining Charges, University Store Purchases, Day Care Charges, Financial Aid Over-Awards, and other miscellaneous charges or fines for services received at the Recreation Center, the Medical and Counseling Center, the Library, Parking, special events, or any other CWU service offering. It is the student’s or account holder responsibility to ensure that his/her account is kept current and that payments are made by the published due dates to avoid additional charges. Charges that are not paid by the due dates may be assessed late fees and a 1% interest charges and all university services may be suspended. Furthermore, the student or account holder agrees to the following:

“I understand the University or its representative will make reasonable attempts to collect past due charges by letter, phone, email, or any other reasonable method including text messages as required by the State of Washington.” “I understand I will receive an email notification when my billing statement is available to view online or a monthly statement if I am not an enrolled student.” “I understand my account information can only be released to me. Statements are located online through MyCWU account. Failure to pay after reasonable attempts have been made may result in the suspension of university services.”

“I understand if I have an unpaid balance to the University and do not make satisfactory payment arrangements, my account may be placed with an external collection agency and will be subject to an additional collection fee as allowed by the state of Washington where the financial obligation has been contracted - RCW 19.16.500. As a result, my account will be assessed a collection fee of up to 35% of the original debt that I will be responsible to pay, in addition to legal costs and attorney fees if the account goes to litigation. This may negatively impact my credit rating on a national level as a result of being reported to all three-credit bureau’s (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian).”

Payment Plan
For Current Quarter Charges - This type of installment plan allows the student to pay in three monthly installments throughout the quarter thus avoiding the tuition and housing late fees and assessment of 1% interest.  The non-refundable payment plan enrollment fee is $50 and is due before enrollment in the plan.  Students will be able to enroll online through the Student Accounts website between the 5^th and 9^th day of the quarter. Parking or Library fines, Health Center and Recreation Center charges must be paid within 30 days the service is received. Payment plans not honored may be subject to cancellation and the student account assessed the tuition non-payment late fees, housing late fees and any other applicable penalties.

Refunds
Refunds may be made according to the term’s refund and fee deadlines.

A student will receive 100 percent of tuition and fees if complete withdrawal from the term occurs prior to the sixth day of the quarter.

A student will receive 50 percent tuition and fees if complete withdrawal from the term occurs on or after the sixth day of the quarter and within 30 calendar days of the beginning of the quarter.

There is no refund for individual class withdrawals after the change of schedule period. There is no refund of tuition and fees for a complete withdrawal from all courses after the 30th calendar day from the beginning of the quarter. Exception requests must be submitted in writing to Registrar Services. Students who register and do not drop their classes prior to the end of the change of schedule period, with extenuating circumstances that result in a refund of tuition, will be assessed a $50 cancellation fee.

FINANCIAL AID

Each year approximately 80 percent of CWU students receive financial aid. To be eligible for federal aid a student must be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen. Washington state aid programs are also available to financially eligible DREAMers (undocumented students) who complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).

Financial aid is available to matriculated students seeking a degree or certification in an eligible program. Most financial aid programs require a minimum of half-time enrollment, which is 6 credits at the undergraduate level and 5 credits at the graduate level. Students who have a first baccalaureate degree and are not admitted to a master’s program will be classified as a post-baccalaureate student. Post-baccalaureate students are eligible for federal loans.

Students must apply and be accepted for admission into a degree seeking program (matriculated) to receive financial aid. Students and their families must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application can be completed online at www.fafsa.gov. If ineligible to file the FAFSA, Washington resident students and their families should submit a Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) to be considered for Washington State aid programs. The WASFA is available on the web at www.readysetgrad.org/wasfa. 

The application should be submitted as soon as possible after October 1 each year. This year, March 1 is the cutoff date for priority consideration for limited gift aid. Accurate preparation of the FAFSA/WASFA and timely response to all requests for additional information or documentation are critical. If you are selected for Verification be sure to get all documents required for verification submitted to the Financial Aid Office by May 1 in order to assure that your Financial Aid, if eligible, will be ready by September.

Students who have been admitted to the university and have listed Central Washington University Title IV code #003771 on the FAFSA will have a student financial aid file delivered to the university electronically. Once that file has been reviewed and verified, the student will receive an award letter. WASFA applications are also received electronically before being reviewed, verified and awarded aid by the financial aid office. 

The award letter will indicate the estimated student budget, the federally determined expected family contribution, and an offer of aid including the type and amount. You must accept, reduce or decline aid offers on MyCWU. Aid is disbursed quarterly in equal amounts. If you have chosen to borrow student loans, the master promissory note and loan entrance counseling are completed electronically at www.studentloans.gov.

Students are expected to maintain “good academic standing” while receiving financial aid. A minimum CWU cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for undergraduates after two years of attendance; post-baccalaureates are required to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA; and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate students. Financial aid recipients are required to make reasonable progress toward a degree.

Additional financial aid information is available at www.cwu.edu/financial-aid, financialaid@cwu.edu, or by calling 509-963-1611.

Scholarships

Scholarships are gift aid, which do not have to be repaid. More information on CWU scholarships can be found at www.cwu.edu/scholarships. This year, the CWU Scholarship Central application opens each November 1st and closes March 1st. Scholarships awarded through this application are for the following academic year beginning in fall quarter. Apply online through MyCWU account using the path MyCWU>Financial>Scholarship Application.  

Scholarship eligibility is based on a variety of criteria including, but not limited to, academic proficiency, specialized talent, community service, leadership, and financial need. College and departmental selection committees as well as the Financial Aid Office select scholarship recipients. Some scholarships require students to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), www.fafsa.gov or WASFA (Washington State Application for Financial Aid), www.readysetgrad.org/wasfa. In addition, students with talent in athletics, art, music, and/or theatre should contact the department(s) directly for specific audition or exhibition opportunities. Institutional merit aid is awarded to incoming students based on GPA. Financial Need is not always a criteria.

Community-sponsored scholarships include awards for which the recipients are chosen by organizations outside the university. Each organization establishes its own eligibility criteria and application process. More information can be found at the scholarship website www.cwu.edu/scholarships or by contacting the organizations directly. The Washington Student Action Council has a free, web-based scholarship matching clearinghouse for Washington residents and students and serves as a simple and central scholarship search and application resource. See https://washboard.wsac.wa.gov for information and to apply. Recipients are to inform the CWU Financial Aid Office if they are receiving an award from a community organization. Checks should be made payable to “Central Washington University.” Include student’s name and identification number. Send to the CWU Cashiers Office, 400 East University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7490.

Scholarships are considered an educational funding source and may change a student’s eligibility in other institutional, state or federal aid programs.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

All courses taught through Continuing Education are self-support. The waiver for veterans, university staff, and senior citizens does not apply. Full fee-paying students must make additional payments at the rate established for each continuing education course in which they enroll.

CWU EMPLOYEE DEPENDENTS AND ELIGIBLE RETIREES TUITION WAIVER

Pursuant to RCW 28B.15.915 CWU will waive 50% of tuition for eligible CWU employee dependents and eligible retirees. To be eligible for the dependent waiver, the CWU employee must have an appointment to a half-time or more permanent position and have been employed by CWU for more than six months. This includes faculty hired on at least a yearly contract.

The eligible dependent or retired staff member must be accepted as a student, file a FAFSA, and maintain a cumulative CWU GPA of at least 2.25. The waiver is available for twelve quarters within a five-year period and excludes housing costs, books and other student fees. Eligibility for tuition waiver does not guarantee admission to CWU.

To request the tuition waiver for a dependent, submit the Dependent Tuition Waiver Request (www.cwu.edu/hr/forms) to Human Resources at mail-stop 7425 or Mitchell Hall, first floor. CWU online application: www.cwu.edu/admissions/apply-now.

CWU FACULTY/STAFF, STATE EMPLOYEES, AND NATIONAL GUARD TUITION WAIVER

Participants may be admitted as a regular student (person seeking a degree or certification) or as a non-matriculated student (one not seeking a degree or certification). The CWU non-matriculated application has a $40 nonrefundable fee for the academic year (fall through summer).

CWU faculty and staff using tuition waivers may register the second day of classes. State employees and National Guard employees using tuition waivers may register the third day of classes.

How to Register
Mail, email, or present in person an appropriately signed State Tuition Exemption Request Form to Registrar Services. This form must be received no later than 15 working days prior to the start of the term every term that an eligible individual intends to enroll using waiver benefits.

CWU faculty and staff who are employed at least half time and who have been employed six months or more, may take up to eight credits at $15 per quarter. Permanent National Guard members and state employees who are employed at least half time and who have been employed six months or more, may take up to six credits at $30 per quarter. Employees may take additional credits at the per-unit price. Tuition and fees are payable at the time of registration.

According to legislative action, all registrations must be on a space-available basis after other matriculated students have registered. See CWU Education Benefits Policy for further details, as tuition waivers may be taxable.

VETERANS

Veterans may be eligible for a Veteran Conflict Grant or waiver. All veterans must complete a FAFSA (see Financial Aid, and Veteran Assistance) and contact the Veterans Center to determine eligibility. Find more information at www.cwu.edu/veterans, 509-963-3028, or e-mail va@cwu.edu.

SENIOR CITIZENS

Washington residents 60 years of age or older may register the first day of class on a space-available basis. The fee is $5 for a maximum of two classes, not to exceed six credits. Credits may not be applied toward meeting requirements for any degree program and may only be taken as an audit. Instructor permission must be obtained prior to registration. Any person utilizing this provision and taking more than six credits must pay an additional $25 tuition charge.
 

TUITION BASE RATES

SERVICE AND ACTIVITY FEES

Service and Activity Fees (S & A Fees) are mandatory quarterly fees. They are collected at registration and allocated to a variety of Student Programs. Fees apply to all campus and online students.

MANDATORY FEES

Students are required to pay any applicable mandatory fees listed below. In addition, some classes will assess special course fees (See below). Special fees and rates are subject to change.

The following quarterly fees apply to Ellensburg campus students, unless otherwise noted:

Student Union Fee
The following student union fee will be assessed to all Ellensburg campus-based students per quarter:

WASHINGTON STUDENT LOBBY

Washington Student Lobby (WSL) is a program that promotes special services for students, such as lower tuition and financial aid assistance. You will be assessed a $1 fee each quarter to support the student lobby.

SPECIAL COURSE FEES

A list of special course fees is available on-line at www.cwu.edu/registrar/tuition-and-fees. Fees are subject to change. If services are provided by an off-campus vendor, the amount may vary. Contact the department for additional information.