Financial Aid

FAQ's

General

How do I contact the Office of Financial Aid?

Phone number: 509-963-1611

Email: finaid@cwu.edu

Fax:509-963-1788

Office hours are 8-5pm Monday-Friday

Barge Hall 115 (Ellensburg campus)

For other campuses click here

How do I apply for Financial Aid?

Start here Fafsa.ed.gov

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

003771

Can I receive financial aid for study abroad?

Yes, we can increase your cost of attendance for study abroad which could potentially make you eligible for additional aid.

What is the status of my financial aid?

You can view status of financial aid by logging into your MYCWU and clicking on the student tab, then financial tab and click view financial aid and you can see status there.

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

Depends on your situation, please talk to Financial Aid Counselor before dropping classes. The Financial Aid Counselors will be able to advise you on how/and if your aid will be affected.

How many credits do I have to be enrolled in to receive financial aid?

Enrolled in at least half-time to receive loans everything else is determined on enrollment status.

What is a refund check?

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

Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?

Yes

How soon after October 1st should the FAFSA form be sent in?

As soon as possible. Priority deadline is Feb. 1 2017.

When does the General Scholarship Application close?

October 1 through February 1.

What items are still on my to-do-list?

You can view your to do items by logging into your MyCWU, then click on student center, the To Do List is on the right hand side.

Where do I go to accept my awards?

Log into your MYCWU and click on student tab> then on the left side click on financial tab> then accept/ decline awards.

What is the deadline to pay tuition?

Tuition and fees are due in full on the fifth day of the quarter.

What tax year should I use on my FAFSA?

For 2016-2017, use 2015 tax information.

For 2017-2018, use 2015 tax information.

This may seem like a typo, but it is correct. You will use 2016 tax information for the 2018-2019 school year.

How do I get scholarships?

You can apply through our general scholarship application every year or find outside scholarships through a variety of different websites. Click here for list of resources.

Can I apply for the Teach Grant? What criteria questions do they have?

Be enrolled in a TEACH Grant/Loan eligible program

Click here for more information.

What is work study?

Provides part time jobs for undergrad and grad students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. Check with a financial aid counselor to see if you're eligible before you start job searching.

What is a grant?

Often referred to as "gift aid" because it is free money that does not have to be repaid.

What is the GSA?

GSA is the general scholarship application. Filling this out will enter you into consideration for more than 150 scholarships available only to CWU students.

What do I do if I have a default or an overpayment on my federal student aid record?

The contact information is listed here. You can call and request FSA send CWU a fax confirming your default/overpayment has been resolved even if NSLDS has not been updated.

Billing

Why is my scholarship not showing on my bill?

Your scholarship may not show up as pending aid because we have yet to receive the funds from scholarship donor.

When are refunds being mailed/direct deposited?

September 30th 2016 for Fall

January 13th 2017 for Winter

April 6th 2017 for Spring

June 26th 2017 for Summer

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

If you're enrolled full time, your aid will pay your charges the first day of class. If not, charges will be paid after add/drop period.

Loans

What is an "alternative loan"?

Private loan you receive through an outside bank/ company. Click here for more information.

I've decided I don't want a loan that I accepted earlier. How do I cancel it?

Email us through your CWU email and let us know you want it canceled, or come into the office and let us know you want to cancel it.

What is the difference between Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Student Loans?

The difference is that an unsubsidized loan starts accruing interest from the first disbursement you receive. The subsidized doesn't accrue interest while you are in school. Interest begins accruing 6 months after graduation or 6 months after you stop attending school.

I now want a loan I declined earlier. How do I reinstate it?

Come into the financial aid office, or email us through your CWU email requesting the loan to be reoffered.

What is a Parent (PLUS) Loan and how do my parents begin the process of getting the loan?

A parent plus loan is a loan in your parent's name that the parents take out. To begin the process of getting the loan, your parent needs to log into studentloans.gov and apply for a plus loan and complete the parent master promissory note.

Where do I go to complete the entrance counseling and why must I complete this?

Studentloans.gov, must complete this to gain knowledge of the loan you are taking out and requires you to complete before you receive the funds.

Where can I find information about loan repayment?

Studentloans.gov

How do I start paying back my loans?

Log into NSLDS to get your loan servicers contact information.

How much do I owe in loans?

Log into NSLDS to see your loan balance.

What are the interest rates on loans?

Current interest rates as of July 1st 2016 are:

Direct Subsidized Loan (Undergraduate): 3.76%
Direct Unsubsidized Loan (Undergraduate):3.76%
Direct Unsubsidized Loans (Graduate or Professional Students): 5.31%
Direct PLUS Loans (Parents and Graduate or Professional Students): 6.31%

Dependency

My parents no longer claim me on their tax form. Does this make me independent for financial aid?

No, click here for dependency criteria.

What age do I become an independent?

At 24 years of age.

International

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, you may be eligible for institutional aid. Check with the office of international student programs.

Financial Aid

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FAQ's

General

Billing

Loans

Dependency

International

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Important Dates

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Admissions@cwu.edu

Inside CWU

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Central Washington University | 400 E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Campus Operator (509) 963-1111 | Public Affairs (509) 963-1221

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Financial Aid

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Related Links

FAQ's

General

Billing

Loans

Dependency

International

FAQs

Important Dates

Take the Next Step to Becoming a Wildcat.

Admissions@cwu.edu

Inside CWU

Alumni & Giving

Information

Services

Student Resources

Student Resources Cont.

Central Washington University | 400 E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926Campus Operator (509) 963-1111 | Public Affairs (509) 963-1221

Central Washington University | 400 E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Campus Operator (509) 963-1111 | Public Affairs (509) 963-1221