The Lone Star Tuition Waiver (Lone Star) is awarded to new, first-time freshmen and transfer students pursuing their first bachelor's degree who meet the requirements below. Lone Star students automatically pay 150 percent of Washington in-state tuition and fees. The value of the Lone Star 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.

Lone Star states include New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma.

First Year & Transfer Students Fall 2023

You must be:

• A new, first-time freshman/transfer admitted to Central Washington University
• Pursuing your first bachelor's degree
• A resident of a Lone Star participating state
• Confirm admission in MyCWU– contact Admissions with questions

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

Lone Star awards are renewable
Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for Institutional Aid. Lone Star 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.

Lone Star Program Requirements

Eligible students must:

• Maintain a permanent address in an eligible state
• Meet all CWU deadlines for admission, enrollment, and financial aid
• Maintain full-time enrollment in at least 12 credits each quarter (Students do not need to maintain continuous enrollment to qualify for Lone Star renewal)
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 once they have attempted 90+ credits
• Academically suspended students are ineligible for this program

The Lone Star award does not apply to Summer Quarter, Study Abroad programs, Remedial Courses, or Continuing Education tuition charges.

To see CWU’s Estimated Cost of Attendance, please visit our Cost of Attendance webpage.