Central Washington University | Frequently Asked Questions

Questions You Need Answered

How do I apply for Financial Aid? Start by visiting Financial Aid and Scholarships

What is CWU's school code (as used on the FAFSA)? 003771

What is the deadline to pay tuition? Tuition and fees are due in full on the fifth day of the quarter.

Where do I go to accept my awards? Log into your MYCWU account and click on the student tab> then on the left side click on the financial tab> then accept/ decline awards.

Apply for Aid

How can we help you?

What is the status of my financial aid?

You can view the status of your financial aid by logging into your MYCWU account and clicking on the student tab, then the financial tab and lastly view financial aid.
How many credits do I have to be enrolled in to receive financial aid?

You must be enrolled in at least half-time (6 credits for undergraduates and 5 credits for graduates) to receive loans. Grants & scholarship eligibility is determined on enrollment status.

If I drop credits during the term, how will it affect my financial aid?

Depending on your specific situation, dropping classes may affect your financial aid eligibility. State aid requires students to complete credits in their enrollment range (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, less-than half-time) each quarter. Federal aid requires a cumulative completion rate of 66.7%, checked annually. Anything below will put you at risk of losing your state and/or federal aid. Talk to a Financial Aid Counselor before dropping classes.
What is a refund check?

When you have leftover financial aid after your authorized charges have been paid you receive a refund check of that leftover money.

For quicker access to your refund, sign up for Direct Deposit.
Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?

Yes.
When will my aid be applied towards the charges on my account?

If you're enrolled full time (12 or more credits for undergraduates and 10 or more credits for graduates), your aid will pay your charges the first week of class. If not, charges will be paid after the add/drop period.
What do I do if I have a default or an overpayment on my federal student aid record?

Federal Student Aid can assist you.

You can call and request that FSA send CWU a fax confirming your default/overpayment has been resolved even if StudentAid.Gov has not been updated.
How do I upload documents to MyCWU?

You can now upload Financial Aid documents to your “To Do List” from your MyCWU account Directly from your computer instead of waiting in line, and here’s how:

1. Navigate to your “Student” tab on MyCWU:

2. Under your “To Do List” section select one of the items on your list:

3. A window will pop up with an “Add Attachment” button:
What tax year should I use on my FAFSA?

For 2023-2024, use 2021 tax information.

For 2024-2025, use 2022 tax information.

This may seem like a typo, but it is correct. You will use 2022 tax information for the 2024-2025 school year.
My parents no longer claim me on their tax form. Does this make me independent for financial aid?

No, there are specific dependency criteria.
I am an international student and have not obtained any kind of U.S. citizenship status. Do I qualify for any federal or state financial aid?

No, however you may be eligible for institutional aid. Check with the Office of International Student Programs.