Skip to body

Scholarships

Western Undergraduate Exchange Program

Click here for 2020-2021 data

Incoming First Year students must confirm admission to CWU by May 1, 2021 to receive a WUE tuition waiver. Transfer students need to confirm by August 1, 2021. 

 

The Western Undergraduate Exchange Program (WUE) is offered to students from participating western states. Students are not required to submit a separate application for the program; non-resident students whose CWU records indicate they are from an eligible state and meet the other requirements will receive the tuition waiver.

Residency is established through the Office of The Registrar. Please refer to the Residency link on the Registrar's web page for more information.

CWU will consider all earned credits (transfer, Running Start, etc.) when determining a student’s initial eligibility for the WUE. 

WESTERN UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE (WUE) PROGRAM

The WUE Program waiver allows students throughout the Western United States and the Pacific Island US Territories & Freely Associated States to enroll full-time at a reduced tuition rate while seeking their first undergraduate degree. Participating states include:
Alaska Arizona California Colorado Hawaii
Idaho Montana Nevada New Mexico North Dakota
Oregon South Dakota Utah Washington Wyoming

Also eligible: residents of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.

Funding for the WUE program is determined by the state legislature. The number of WUE awards granted each year is dependent on state funding.
 

Can I become a resident of Washington State while receiving the WUE?
No. Time accrued while receiving a WUE waiver will not count toward the length of time required to establish Washington State residency status.

If you are or will be seeking Washington State residency, you must notify CWU Scholarships immediately: Scholarships@CWU.Edu.

IMPORTANT: Students cannot establish Washington State residency while receiving this award. You must pay full, non-resident tuition for your attendance at CWU to be counted toward the residency requirement.
 

How is the WUE amount calculated each year?

The WUE program waives a portion of the out-of-state tuition; your final tuition amount is 150% of in-state tuition. The ESTIMATED WUE award for the 2021-2022 academic year is listed in the table below:

Non-resident tuition plus S&A fee: $23,895 2021-2022
WA resident tuition plus S&A fee: $7,368 2021-2022
150% of resident tuition amount: $11,052 150% of resident tuition
WUE award: $12,843 2021-2022 savings
This waiver does not cover mandatory fees or tuition overload charges.
 
Are WUE waivers renewable?

Yes. They are renewable for up to 12 academic quarters (four years) or 225 attempted credits, whichever comes first. This includes transfer credits, depending upon incoming class standing:

  • Freshman (0-44.9 credits) 12 quarters (4 years) or 225 attempted credits maximum, whichever comes first;
  • Transfer with sophomore standing (45-89.9 credits) 9 quarters (3 years), or 225 attempted credits maximum, whichever comes first;
  • Transfer with junior standing (90-134.9 credits) 6 quarters (2 years), or 225 attempted credits maximum, whichever comes first.
For the WUE to be renewable, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. For more information on Satisfactory Academic Progress, visit the Financial Aid Office website.
 

WUE Program Requirements

Eligible students must:
  • Maintain residency in an eligible state
  • Meet all CWU deadlines for admission, enrollment, and financial aid, including document requests
  • Maintain full-time enrollment in at least 12 credits each quarter
  • 0-89.9 attempted credits: no GPA requirement
  • 90+ attempted credits: minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5

There is no separate application process to be considered for the WUE—Your admissions file with state residency data will determine your eligibility. However, you must confirm admission to CWU no later than May 1st.

The WUE program does not apply to Summer Quarter, Study Abroad programs, Remedial Courses, or Continuing Education tuition charges.

Non-matriculated, post-baccalaureate students, and graduate students are not eligible to receive the WUE.

Students do not need to maintain continuous enrollment to qualify for WUE renewal.

The WUE cannot be combined with other CWU merit tuition waivers.

Any combination of tuition waivers cannot exceed 80% of tuition charges per quarter.

Take the Next Step to Becoming a Wildcat.

Admissions@cwu.edu