A woman within the financial aid department at Central Washington University works with a student one on one.

Financial Aid

Applying for Aid

To be considered for institutional aid, tuition waivers, state aid, or federal aid, complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). The priority due date for completing an aid application is April 1st. Once you have submitted the FAFSA or WASFA, the information is processed and sent to the schools of your choice.

The CWU Financial Aid Office will work with students impacted by 2024-2025 FAFSA delays.

The FAFSA is available to US citizens and eligible non-citizens. Check StudentAid.gov for further details.

Washington State residents who are ineligible for federal aid should complete the WASFA. If you are unsure which aid application to use, take this questionnaire.

If you have been offered merit aid, you must submit the FAFSA or WASFA before it can be disbursed.

View a Video Tutorial on completing the FAFSA.

See Also:

Applying for Aid

The award year begins in fall and ends at the close of summer quarter. If applying for summer aid, complete the current year FAFSA or WASFA.

For the FAFSA, you and all designated contributors are required to sign the application electronically. Each contributor will need to create a StudentAid.gov account (also called an FSA ID).

It is important to submit accurate information. Aid application data may be verified by your school, your state, or by Federal Student Aid. If you get federal student aid based on incorrect information, you will have to pay it back; you may also have to pay fines and fees. If you purposely give false or misleading information on your application, you may be accused of fraud and fined $20,000, sent to prison, or both.

Renewing Your Application

If you filed a FAFSA or WASFA the previous school year, you will have the option to use that biographical information automatically on the new application to save time.

Carefully review each answer, update any data that has changed, and answer all other questions. This is very important. The FAFSA and WASFA typically change annually. Review every question.

Filing Late

We continue to accept and process applications after the priority deadlines.

All institutionally funded grants (example: Financial Need Grant) have funding limits, and are awarded on a first come, first served basis to qualified applicants. The best way to be considered for these limited funds is to meet the priority deadlines.

Please Note: If you submit a FAFSA with estimated income it is more likely that you will be asked to complete verification.

CWU News

CWU Army ROTC to host nighttime Norwegian Foot March this Friday

May 1, 2024

by

Grant-funded Limitless network brings Yakima students to CWU

May 1, 2024

by

More News

Questions? Contact Us.

Financial Aid

Bouillon Hall 106