|
Financial Aid
Each year, approximately 80 percent of Central Washington University (CWU) students receive financial aid. To apply for financial aid, students must submit the appropriate financial aid application and include Central Washington University’s School Code: 003771
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is accessible to all students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible non-citizens. The submission of the FAFSA indicates that the student has applied for both federal aid (grants and loans) and WA state grants.
The FAFSA file will be sent to CWU to match the student’s information. Students must have a social security number on file with CWU for the FAFSA to match. Once the FAFSA completes CWU’s quality assurance process, the student will be sent an aid offer, or a request for additional documents.
The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is available to eligible DREAMers (undocumented students) who are WA state residents. The submission of the WASFA indicates that the student has applied for WA state grants.
The WASFA file will be sent to CWU to match the student’s information. Students must have completed the affidavit (written promise) and may need to provide the I-797 form to the CWU Registrar’s office. For more information, contact residency@cwu.edu. Once the WASFA completes CWU’s quality assurance process, the student will be sent an aid offer, or a request for additional documents.
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 or post-baccalaureate level and 5 credits at the graduate level. Students who have a first baccalaureate degree and are not admitted to a master’s program are classified as a post-baccalaureate student. Post-baccalaureate students are eligible for federal loans and work-study.
Students must be accepted for admission into a degree seeking program (matriculated) to receive financial aid. Students and their families must also complete a FAFSA or WASFA to receive federal and/or state aid. The FAFSA should be completed online at www.studentaid.gov and the WASFA should be completed online at https://wsac.wa.gov/wasfa.
The application should be submitted as soon as possible after it opens each year. This year, March 1 is the priority submission date for limited gift aid. Completing the FAFSA/WASFA accurately and responding quickly to requests for additional information are critical. If you are selected for verification, be sure to submit all required documents in MyCWU by May 1 to ensure your Financial Aid will be ready by September.
The aid offer includes the estimated annual cost of attendance, the federally determined Student Aid Index (SAI) if applicable, and an offer of aid grouped by type and amount. Grants and scholarships are accepted automatically. You must accept, reduce, or decline loan offers on MyCWU. Aid is disbursed quarterly in equal amounts. If you have chosen to borrow student loans, you must complete the master promissory note and loan entrance counseling electronically at www.studentaid.gov. The parent PLUS loan requires an additional application. The parent must submit the parent PLUS application and parent master promissory note at www.studentaid.gov.
Students are expected to make “Satisfactory Academic Progress” (SAP) while receiving financial aid. A minimum CWU cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for undergraduates and post baccalaureates; a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate students. Financial aid recipients are also required to make reasonable progress toward a degree. At the end of each academic year, students must have completed at least 67% of attempted credits to remain eligible for financial aid. If the student is not meeting the GPA or credit completion requirements, financial aid will be suspended until the student regains eligibility or submits an approved SAP appeal.
Additional financial aid information is available at https://www.cwu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid-scholarships/, financialaid@cwu.edu, or by calling 509-963-1611.
Scholarships
Scholarships are gift aid which do not have to be repaid and may change a student’s eligibility for institutional, state, or federal aid programs. More information on CWU scholarships is available at https://www.cwu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid-scholarships/scholarships/. The Scholarship Central application opens in October and closes March 1st. Scholarships awarded are generally applicable to charges for the following academic year. Apply online via MyCWU using the path MyCWU>Student Dashboard>Financial>Scholarship Application.
Scholarship eligibility is based on a variety of criteria, including academic proficiency, specialized talent, community service, leadership, and financial need. Scholarship recipients may be selected by college and departmental selection committees or Financial Aid Office staff. Some scholarships require students to complete the FAFSA or WASFA. Students with talent in athletics, art, music, and/or theatre should contact the department(s) directly for specific audition or exhibition opportunities.
Community-sponsored scholarships are awards for which recipients are chosen by organizations outside the university. Each organization establishes its own eligibility criteria, application process, and committee. More information can be found at the scholarship website https://www.cwu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid-scholarships/financial-aid/scholarships.php or by contacting the organizations directly. The Washington Student Achievement Council has a simple and free central scholarship search and application resource for Washington resident students; visit https://washboard.wsac.wa.gov/login.aspx to create a profile. Scholarship recipients must inform the CWU Financial Aid Office about awards from community organizations. Checks should be sent to the CWU Cashiers Office, 400 East University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7490. Please include student’s name and ID number and make payable to “Central Washington University.”
|