Accepting or Declining Aid
Step Three: Accept or Decline Your Aid
Once your financial aid offer is available, you may review your awards to understand your costs and make decisions about loan funding. You can accept, decline, or reduce loan offers depending on your needs and circumstances.
All current CWU students are notified via their CWU Outlook email when their financial aid offer is ready. To access it:
- Log in to MyCWU
- Navigate to Financial Toolbox
- Click Accept/Decline Awards
- Review each award carefully
- Choose to accept, decline, or reduce the amount offered
Be sure to complete this process as early as possible to secure your funding.
Accepting or Declining Loans
Loans are optional. You may:
- Accept the full amount offered
- Decline the loan entirely
- Reduce the loan to a smaller amount by clicking "Accept" and entering a lower figure
We encourage you to borrow only what you need. If you reduce or decline your loan and later change your mind, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to request a revision (if funding is still available).
Monitor Your Email and Notifications
Your CWU Outlook email is the primary way the Financial Aid Office will communicate with you. Keep an eye out for messages regarding:
- Award status updates
- Required forms or verification documents
- Disbursement dates and account changes
Add financialaid@cwu.edu to your contacts to ensure messages don’t go to spam. Staying on top of your communications can prevent delays in receiving your aid.
First-Time Borrowers: Additional Steps
Students
If you’re accepting a Federal Direct Loan for the first time, you must go to www.studentaid.gov and complete the following before your funds can disburse:
- Complete Loan Entrance Counseling
- Sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN)
Parents
If you are borrowing a Parent PLUS loan, you must complete additional steps:
- Apply for a Parent PLUS loan at www.studentaid.gov
- Complete the Master Promissory Note for Parents.
Please note, once approved for a parent PLUS loan, the credit check is valid for six months. Therefore, a new PLUS application is required for the summer quarter, or for a new academic year.
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Get Started with Financial Aid
Questions? Contact Us.
Financial Aid
Bouillon Hall 106