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Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Approximately 80 percent of Central Washington University students receive financial assistance each year through federal, state, institutional, and private funding sources. Financial aid may include grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.
Financial aid is available to matriculated students enrolled in eligible degree or certificate programs. Students are encouraged to apply by all posted deadlines. Automatic merit scholarships do not require a separate application.
Applying for Financial Aid
To apply for federal and/or state aid, students must submit the appropriate annual financial aid application and include CWU’s school code: 003771. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible after they open each year.
- FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and other eligible non-citizens at studentaid.gov. Submitting the FAFSA applies students for federal aid (grants and loans) and Washington State grants. A valid Social Security Number must be on file with CWU for the FAFSA to match the student’s record.
- WASFA: The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is available to eligible Washington State DREAMers (undocumented students) at wsac.wa.gov/wasfa. Submitting the WASFA applies students for Washington State grants. Students must complete the residency affidavit and may be required to submit Form I-797 to the Registrar’s Office at residency@cwu.edu.
After CWU completes its review of either application, students will receive a financial aid offer or a request for additional documentation. Notifications begin in January and continue weekly.
Types of Financial Aid
- Grants: Federal, State, and Institutional grants are awarded based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA or WASFA and do not require repayment. Grants are reduced for enrollment below full-time (12 credits). State grants are available only to Washington residents and require enrollment in a minimum of three credits.
- Merit Scholarships are automatically awarded to students who meet eligibility requirements and confirm admission by May 1. Merit scholarships require full-time enrollment (12 or more credits) and apply only to tuition charges. They are non-refundable and may not be combined with other waivers that exceed 80% of tuition.
- CWU Scholarships require an application through Scholarship Central. The application is open October 1-March 1 prior to the academic year. Scholarship eligibility may be based on academic achievement, talent, leadership, community service, or financial need. Some scholarships require completion of the FAFSA or WASFA. Applications are submitted through MyCWU under Student Dashboard > Financial > Scholarship Application.
- Community-Sponsored Scholarships are awarded by external organizations, each with their own eligibility criteria and application process. Recipients must notify the CWU Financial Aid Office of any community scholarships received. Checks should be sent to:
CWU Cashiers Office
400 E University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7490
Include the student’s name, CWU ID number, and make checks payable to Central Washington University.
- Work-Study: Federal and State Work-Study programs provide part-time employment for students with financial need. Work-study positions are available on and off campus and allow students to earn a paycheck to help cover educational expenses. These positions offer valuable opportunities for professional development and career experience. For more information, contact financialaid@cwu.edu.
- Loans: Loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid after leaving school. Students should exhaust federal loan options before considering private loans.
- Federal student loans are offered to students who submit the FAFSA, subject to annual and lifetime limits. Federal loans require at least half-time enrollment (6 credits for undergraduate or post-baccalaureate students, 5 for graduate students) and may be prorated for less than full-time enrollment. Loan offers must be accepted in MyCWU, and students must complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov.
- Parent PLUS Loans are federal loans borrowed by parents on behalf of dependent students. Beginning July 1, 2026, new Parent PLUS borrowers will be subject to annual and lifetime limits. Parents with existing PLUS loans may continue to borrow above the new limits under legacy provisions for up to three years or until the student’s program is completed, whichever comes first. Applications and Master Promissory Notes are completed at studentaid.gov.
- Graduate PLUS Loans will no longer be available to new borrowers beginning July 1, 2026. Current borrowers may continue to borrow under legacy provisions for up to three years or until completion of their program, whichever comes first. Graduate PLUS Loans are offered through MyCWU. Once the loan is accepted, a credit check is processed automatically, and the borrower must complete a Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov.
Disbursement and Requirements
Financial aid is disbursed quarterly in equal amounts starting the day after the add/drop period each term. Grants and scholarships are accepted automatically. Loans must be accepted, reduced, or declined in MyCWU, and all loan requirements must be completed at studentaid.gov. Students must meet eligibility requirements at the time of disbursement and have an official final high school transcript on file before aid can be released.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible for financial aid. CWU evaluates SAP each quarter according to the following standards:
- GPA: Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students; 3.0 for graduate students.
- Pace: Students must complete at least 67% of attempted credits each academic year.
- Maximum Timeframe: Students must complete their degree within 150% of the published program length. Aid will be suspended if it is determined that a student cannot complete within this timeframe.
Students who do not meet SAP standards will have aid suspended until eligibility is regained or an approved appeal is submitted.
Contact Information
The Financial Aid Office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Bouillon Hall 106. For more information, visit cwu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid-scholarships, email financialaid@cwu.edu, or call 509-963-1611.
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