The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is awarded to new, first-time freshmen and transfer students pursuing their first bachelor's degree who meet the criteria below. WUE students automatically qualify for reduced out-of-state tuition and pay 150 percent of Washington in-state tuition and fees. WUE value for the 2022-23 academic year is over $12,500. That’s more than $50,000 in value over the course of four years! This award does not cover mandatory fees or tuition overload charges.

WUE states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho*, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon*, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

*Students entering Fall 2023 who meet all other WUE program requirements and are residents of Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Latah, or Nez Perce counties in Idaho or Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Multnomah, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, or Washington counties in Oregon automatically qualify for an additional WUE Border County waiver to further reduce out-of-state tuition and pay 100 percent of Washington in-state tuition and fees. 

• A new, first-time freshman/transfer admitted to Central Washington University
• Pursuing your first bachelor's degree
• A resident of a WUE participating state
• Confirm admission in MyCWU by May 1st – contact Admissions with questions
  • Transfer students: confirm admission by August 1

By filling out an application for admission you are automatically eligible to receive the WUE award. The permanent address provided in your application for admittance determines eligibility. The WUE cannot be combined with other CWU merit tuition waivers. 

WUE awards are renewable
Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for Institutional Aid. WUE is renewable for up to 12 academic quarters or 225 attempted credits, depending upon incoming class standing:

• Freshman (0-44.9 credits) 12 quarters (4 years) or a maximum of 225 attempted credits, whichever comes first;
• Transfer with sophomore standing (45-89.9 credits) 9 quarters (3 years), or a maximum of 225 attempted credits, whichever comes first;
• Transfer with junior standing (90-134.9 credits) 6 quarters (2 years), or a maximum of 225 attempted credits, whichever comes first.
• Transfer with senior standing (135+ credits) 3 quarters (1 year) or a maximum of 225 attempted credits, whichever comes first.