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Washington State University
Student Financial Services Consumer Information & Policies
Consumer Information & Policies

Table of Contents

General Information

Student Financial Assistance

Health & Safety

Student Outcomes

Intercollegiate Athletics

Teacher Preparation

Voter Registration

Print Options

You may print this page by right-clicking and choosing the print option. Student Financial Services will provide a paper copy of the Consumer Information and Policies upon request. Requests can be placed by calling our office at (509) 335-9711 or by email at financialaid@wsu.edu.

Privacy of Student Records-Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of a student’s education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
Federal law requires Washington State University (WSU) to annually notify current students of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Under FERPA, a student has the right to:
  1. Inspect and review his or her education records.
  2. Request the amendment of the contents of the student’s education records that the student considers to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights.
  3. Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
  4. File with the Department of Education a complaint concerning alleged failures by Washington State University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
FERPA gives a third party, such as parent, grandparent, or other third party that the student designates certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights transfer to the student when they reach the age of 18 or when they begin to attend a school beyond the high school level. A student is considered a prospective student if they are a new freshman or transfer student who has not yet taken classes at WSU and they are in one of these admissions statuses: applied, accepted, or matriculated (paid the $200 admissions tuition deposit). FERPA guidelines do not apply to prospective students. A student is considered an eligible Washington State University student on the first day of classes for the term for which they are registered. For their protection, Student Financial Services staff cannot release specific information about a student’s financial aid award to anyone over the phone, by email or in person without proper authorization. To grant a third party access to their account a student must set up Third Party Access under Profile tile of their myWSU account.
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Academic Programs

Accreditation

Higher education institutions are accredited by a regional authority. Washington State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Transfer of Credit Policies and Articulation Agreements

Policies & Agreements

Facilities

WSU Campus locations

Student Body Diversity

WSU Total Enrollment

Net Price Calculator

The Net Price Calculator can be used to determine the estimated net price (cost of attendance minus median grant/scholarship aid) that a full-time, first degree, undergraduate student will pay to attend Washington State University (WSU). As a prospective or current student, you and your family can use this estimate to create an initial plan for financing your education at Washington State University.
WSU Net Price Calculator

College Navigator

College Navigator provides statistical information on various institutions of higher learning.

Textbook Information

The Bookie provides a variety of WSU textbooks and merchandise.

Financial Aid Rights and Responsibilities

Financial aid recipients at Washington State University have certain rights and responsibilities.

Refund Policy

Information regarding refund policies regarding the return of unearned tuition, fees, or other refundable portions of costs paid to the institution can be found at the WSU Registrar’s Office website.

Withdrawal and Cancellation Process

If you wish to withdraw from the university or cancel enrollment you must contact the Registrar’s Office at (509) 335-5346.

If you wish to cancel or reinstate your financial aid application you must submit the Cancellation/Reinstatement form. This form can be submitted anytime during the year.

Return of Federal Financial Aid

The U.S. Department of Education and the State of Washington requires institutions to apply a Return of Title IV funds policy (PDF // WORD) and grant disbursement a repayment policy for students withdrawing from a university who received Title IV financial aid and/or state aid.

Contact WSU’s Registrar’s Office for information regarding refund policies regarding the return of unearned tuition and fees.

WSU’s Policy & Sanctions

Complaints

 

Constitution Day

Every year on September 17, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day are observed at Washington State University and other institutions across the country.

Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment

Executive Policy 15
Discrimination harassment and sexual misconduct prevention

Foreign Gifts

WSU reports all foreign gifts of $250,000 or greater to the Department of Education in compliance with the law. Reports are sent in January and July of each year.

Cost of Attendance

WSU’s tables & information

Application of Aid

In order to apply for federal financial aid, students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each academic year that he or she is using federal financial aid.

After Completing the FAFSA

  • Respond promptly. If Student Financial Services requests additional information to process your application, respond right away! A speedy response on your part ensures that your eligibility will be determined in a timely manner. Processing time varies throughout the year, so it is always best to respond as soon as possible.
  • Reporting income information. When possible, be sure to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. This will ensure that a more accurate financial aid award can be created for you. If for some reason you cannot use the Data Retrieval Tool, then update your financial figures on the FAFSA yourself by correcting any data as needed.
  • Report additional resources in writing. Please notify Student Financial Services by completing the Notice of Estimated Financial Assistance (EFA) form on our website when you receive other funding, such as non-university scholarships, tuition assistance from outside agencies, and so on. These resources are considered part of your total amount of financial aid. If additional financial resources arrive after your financial aid has been disbursed to your WSU Student Account, your other aid (typically loans) will be reduced to adjust for any amount that exceeds your Cost of Attendance by term.
    • A bill could result from this award adjustment if our office is notified about these additional resources after your aid has already delivered to you.
  • Take the next steps with your financial aid award. Once you have received your award email notification, you may accept, reduce, or decline the loan(s) offered online at my.wsu.edu (referred to as myWSU) or by going to your local campus and speaking with a Student Financial Services representative.
    • Grant and work-study funds are accepted automatically once awarded.
    • If you accept loans and you are a new borrower, an email will be sent to you about the next steps to process your loans, which need to be completed in order for your financial aid funds to be delivered to you.
  • Check that your aid funds were applied. Financial aid and scholarships are credited to your WSU Student Account at the beginning of each semester to help pay for tuition, fees, books, on campus room and board, and other educational expenses. You will be notified by email when a scholarship has been added to your account. You may verify that funds were credited by viewing your student account activity online at myWSU.
  • Read your myWSU portal notices regularly. Visit myWSU often to view important financial notices regarding your student account, and other information throughout the year. In addition, by checking your myWSU To Do List you can confirm Student Financial Services has received your documents or check if additional information is needed. Please also visit your MyCommunication Center, located in myWSU.
  • Check your email – keep your mailing address updated. Email is the official method of communications for Student Financial Services. Starting the first day of classes, all Student Financial Services communications will be sent to your official WSU email account. Most information and documents are sent to you by email. However, do keep your primary mailing address current, by going to myWSU. All financial aid and scholarship award information is sent to your myWSU account. Make sure to check periodically as well as your email account.
  • Meet university academic standards. You must maintain good academic standing and make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward your degree in order to continue receiving financial aid throughout your academic career.
  • Reapply each year. You will need to complete a new FAFSA every year. Submit your FAFSA by WSU’s priority submission deadline to receive the most aid possible. Deadlines are clearly posted at financialaid.wsu.edu.

Types of Aid

Information about the aid opportunities listed below.

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduates to promote access to post-secondary education. Pell Grant is available to students if they are pursuing their first undergraduate degree and if they’re not enrolled in a professional program. Students will not be considered for this funding source if they already have a bachelor’s degree. The amount of Pell Grant a student may receive over their lifetime is limited by federal law to be equivalent to 6 years of Pell Grant funding.
For more information on eligibility, required credits, and other criteria visit:

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is designed to assist undergraduate students with the highest level of need. The award ranges from $100 to $1,250 per year, depending on the SAI as determined by the FAFSA.

TEACH Grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides federal grants of up to $4,000* per year ($16,000 cumulative maximum) to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. The TEACH Grant can be awarded to Undergraduate AND Graduate Students.  For more information regarding student eligibility requirements, the application process, and general information, please visit:

State Grants and Scholarships

State Aid Programs and Information

Institutional Grants and Scholarships

WSU Institutional Grant

To be considered for Institutional Grant, students need to complete the FAFSA or the WASFA (for undocumented students). Award amounts are determined by the SAI (Student Aid Index) calculated from the FAFSA and WASFA.

To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

  • No Washington College Grant, Pell Grant or Cougar Commitment awarded.
  • Filed the FAFSA or WASFA by the WSU priority deadline each year
  • Submit all requested documents to SFS by the WSU priority deadline
  • Be pursuing a first bachelor’s degree and not enrolled in a professional program.
  • Be a Washington resident.

This grant is prorated depending on credits … Read More.

WSU Cougar Commitment

To make college more affordable, WSU has pledged to cover the cost of tuition plus mandatory fees if you meet the following requirements:

  • You are from a low or middle income family with residency in Washington state and you are receiving the federal Pell Grant;
  • You applied to WSU for admission by February 1st  for the fall semester and November 15th for the spring semester, and enrolled as a full-time freshman or transfer student;
  • You completed the FAFSA or WASFA by the priority deadline;
  • You submitted all requested documents to SFS by the priority deadline;
  • Please note that this program is only available for fall and spring semesters and that you must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits to be eligible for this award.

Undocumented Washington residents’ eligibility will be determined independent of Pell Grant eligibility determination, contingent on institutional funding.

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WSU Scholarships

WSU offers numerous scholarships to that are based on Admission criteria, such as official high school GPA, SAT/ACT test scores and/or transfer GPA and completed credits. Scholarships are available for both Washington residents and non-Washington residents, including transfer students. Most of these scholarships will require students to complete the WSU General Scholarship Application, by the deadline clearly published at financialaid.wsu.edu each year.

More information regarding eligibility:

Federal and State Work-Study Programs

Work-study is a need-based financial aid award. It is neither a grant, as you must work to earn it, nor is it a loan, as you do not have to pay it back. Federal and state work-study funds can be awarded to you if you:

  • have financial need;
  • have requested work-study on your FAFSA;
  • meet the minimum eligibility criteria established by Student Financial Services;
  • have at least $4,000 of unmet need-based eligibility;
  • have filed your FAFSA by WSU’s priority deadline;
  • are a student in good academic standing with WSU and are meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Funding availability is limited, and is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is a great opportunity for you to earn money by working and receiving a paycheck, while reducing your loan debt and gaining valuable work experience.

If eligible, you will be contacted via a portal notice on your account indicating that you are eligible for work-study. You can use Handshake, the university’s free resource for finding student employment.  Once you are hired, your employer will submit the Work-Study Authorization Form (WSAF) online, using the instructions provided via email. The authorization form will then be sent to your local Student Financial Services office for processing and determination if you receive a work-study award. If you receive an award, both you and your employer will be notified via email. You should not work before receiving email notification that you have been awarded work-study. It is possible that your employer could be responsible to pay your wages if you are not awarded work-study.

Work-study award amounts are not uniform for all students. Your awards will be tailored to your individual situation.  If your work-study award is approved, the amount of the award will be tailored to both your position and the number of hours you plan to work. Awards usually range from $1,000 – $4,000 for a full academic year (two semesters). Generally, work-study is not awarded for the summer term.

… Read More

Student Loans

You can borrow loans to cover tuition and educational expenses for your undergraduate or graduate program and you will be required to repay these loans. Not all loans are based on financial need.

Please note, the interest rates for the Federal Direct loans vary from year to year and are subject to change.

Direct Loans

  • Federal Direct Subsidized Loan: This loan is based on financial need. Payments on the principal are optional while you are enrolled at least half-time. The interested rate is fixed and repayment begins six months after graduation (referred to as a “grace period”) or when enrollment ceases or drops below half-time. Interest is paid by the federal government while you are enrolled at least half-time, during the grace period, or in authorized periods of deferment.
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: This loan is not based on financial need. Payments on the principal and/or interest are optional while you are enrolled at least half-time, however, interest does accrue while you are in school. The interest rate is fixed and repayment begins six months after graduation or you’re your enrollment ceases or drops below half-time.
  • Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students: The graduate student PLUS Loan program (Grad PLUS) allows you as a graduate or professional student to borrow up to your cost of attendance minus other financial aid. Student Financial Services must first determine your Direct Loan eligibility before awarding you the Grad PLUS Loan. This loan has a fixed interest rate and is based on credit approval done by the U. S. Department of Education, not WSU or Student Financial Services.

Parent Loans

  • Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan: This loan is not based on financial need. The Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (Parent PLUS) enables your parent(s) to borrow on your behalf when you are a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half time. The interest rate is fixed and repayment begins 60 days after the loan has been fully disbursed. However, your parents may work with their loan servicer to choose repayment when your grace period has ended. If this is your situation, please make arrangements with the Direct Loan Program.

Other Loan Programs

  • Federal Nursing Loan: This loan is administered by Washington State University. The loan has a 5% fixed interest rate and a nine-month grace period prior to repayment. Interest does not accrue on these loans while you are in school at least half-time, during the grace period, or in authorized periods of deferment. If you have been awarded this federal loan, you will need to sign an electronic promissory note online at heartlandecsi.com every academic year.
  • Health Professions Loan: If you are a student certified in the College of Pharmacy or the College of Veterinary Medicine, you may be eligible for the Health Professions Loan. This loan is a federal program administered by Washington State University. It has a 5% fixed interest rate and a nine-month grace period prior to repayment. According to federal regulations to be considered for this loan, you must supply parent information on your FAFSA regardless whether you are an independent or dependent student. You must be enrolled in 10 or more credit hours to qualify. If you have been awarded one of these federal loans, you will need to sign a promissory note online at heartlandecsi.com.
  • Private loans: If you have remaining financial need on your Financial Aid Award and/or your cost of attendance has not been met, you may apply for a private loan from an independent financial lender.

Direct Loan Repayment Options

There are several types of repayment options available for Direct and FFEL Program Loans. Repayment plans that extend the length of repayment generally will reduce the monthly payment amount and allow for repayment to be more budget-friendly. Please be aware that any repayment plan that extends the repayment timeline means that interest is charged over a longer period of time. This generally means the total interest paid over the life of the loan is more than what it would be under standard repayment.

Repayment Plans

Please note that income-driven repayment plans may allow a federal student aid borrower to reduce their monthly payment according to a percentage of their income. See a summary of plan options below.

Standard Repayment Plan

Payments are a fixed amount that ensures your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans). Eligible loans include: Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized, FFEL Subsidized and Unsubsidized, all PLUS loans and all Consolidation Loans (Direct or FFEL). Standard Repayment Plan with a 10-year repayment period is not a good option for those seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Standard Repayment Plan for Consolidation Loans is not a qualifying repayment plan for PSLF.

Graduated Repayment Plan

Payments are lower at first and then increase, usually every two years, and are for an amount that will ensure your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans). Eligible loans include: Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized, FFEL Subsidized and Unsubsidized, all PLUS loans and all Consolidation Loans (Direct or FFEL). Generally not a qualifying repayment plan for PSLF.

Extended Repayment Plan

Payments may be fixed or graduated, and will ensure that your loans are paid off within 25 years. Eligible loans include: Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized, FFEL Subsidized and Unsubsidized, all PLUS loans and all Consolidation Loans (Direct or FFEL).  If you’re a Direct Loan borrower, you must have more than $30,000 in outstanding Direct Loans. If you’re a FFEL borrower, you must have more than $30,000 in outstanding FFEL Program loans. Your monthly payments will be lower than under the 10-year Standard Plan or the Graduated Repayment Plan. Not a qualifying repayment plan for PSLF.

Saving on Valuable Education Plan  (SAVE)

The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan is the newest income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. Like other IDR plans, the SAVE Plan calculates your monthly payment amount based on your income and family size. In addition, the SAVE Plan has unique benefits that will lower payments for many borrowers. The SAVE Plan decreases monthly payments by increasing the income exemption from 150% to 225% of the poverty line. This means SAVE can significantly decrease your monthly payment amount compared to other IDR plans.

The SAVE Plan replaced the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) Plan. Borrowers on the REPAYE Plan automatically get the benefits of the new SAVE Plan.

The SAVE Plan eliminates 100% of remaining monthly interest for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans after you make a full scheduled payment. This means that if you make your monthly payment, your loan balance won’t grow due to unpaid interest that accrued since your last payment.

Revised Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (REPAYE)

Your monthly payments will be 10 percent of discretionary income.  Payments are recalculated each year and are based on your updated income and family size. You must update your income and family size each year, even if they haven’t changed. If you’re married, both your and your spouse’s income or loan debt will be considered, whether taxes are filed jointly or separately (with limited exceptions). Any outstanding balance on your loan will be forgiven if you haven’t repaid your loan in full after 20 years (if all loans were taken out for undergraduate study) or 25 years (if any loans were taken out for graduate or professional study). Eligible loans include: Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS loans made to students, Direct Consolidation Loans that do not include PLUS loans (Direct or FFEL) made to parents. Any Direct Loan borrower with an eligible loan type may choose this plan. You’ll usually pay more over time than under the 10-year Standard Plan. You may have to pay income tax on any amount that is forgiven. Good option for those seeking PSLF.

Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (PAYE)

Your monthly payments will be 10 percent of discretionary income, but never more than you would have paid under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan. Payments are recalculated each year and are based on your updated income and family size. You must update your income and family size each year, even if they haven’t changed. If you’re married, your spouse’s income or loan debt will be considered only if you file a joint tax return. Any outstanding balance on your loan will be forgiven if you haven’t repaid your loan in full after 20 years. Eligible loans include: Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS loans made to students, Direct Consolidation Loans that do not include PLUS loans (Direct or FFEL) made to parents. You must be a new borrower on or after Oct. 1, 2007, and must have received a disbursement of a Direct Loan on or after Oct. 1, 2011. You must have a high debt relative to your income. Your monthly payment will never be more than the 10-year Standard Plan amount. You will usually pay more over time than under the 10-year Standard Plan. You may have to pay income tax on any amount that is forgiven. Good option for those seeking PSLF.

Income Based Repayment Plan (IBR)

Your monthly payments will be either 10 or 15 percent of discretionary income (depending on when you received your first loans), but never more than you would have paid under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan. Payments are recalculated each year and are based on your updated income and family size. You must update your income and family size each year, even if they haven’t changed. If you’re married, your spouse’s income or loan debt will be considered only if you file a joint tax return.  Any outstanding balance on your loan will be forgiven if you haven’t repaid your loan in full after 20 years or 25 years, depending on when you received your first loans. You may have to pay income tax on any amount that is forgiven. Eligible loans include: Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, FFEL Subsidized and Unsubsidized, all PLUS loans made to students, Consolidation Loans (Direct of FFEL) that do not include PLUS loans made to parents. You must have a high debt relative to your income. Your monthly payment will never be more than the 10-year Standard Plan amount. You will usually pay more over time than under the 10-year Standard Plan. You may have to pay income tax on any amount that is forgiven. Good option for those seeking PSLF.

Income Contingent Repayment Plan (ICR)

Your monthly payment will be the lesser of: 20% of discretionary income, or the amount you would pay on a repayment plan with a fixed payment over 12 years, adjusted according to your income. Payments are recalculated each year and are based on your updated income, family size, and the total amount of your Direct Loans. You must update your income and family size each year, even if they haven’t changed. If you’re married, your spouse’s income or loan debt will be considered only if you file a joint tax return or you choose to repay your Direct Loans jointly with your spouse. Any outstanding balance will be forgiven if you haven’t repaid your loan in full after 25 years. Eligible loans include: Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans made to students, and Direct Consolidation Loans. Any Direct Loan borrower with an eligible loan type may choose this plan. You will usually pay more over time than under the 10-year Standard Plan. You may have to pay income tax on any amount that is forgiven. Good option for those seeking PSLF.  Parent borrowers can access this plan by consolidating their Parent PLUS Loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Income Sensitive Repayment Plan

Your monthly payment is based on annual income, but your loan will be paid in full within 15 years. Eligible loans include: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans, FFEL PLUS Loans, and FFEL Consolidation Loans.  You’ll pay more over time than under the 10-year Standard Plan. The formula for determining the monthly payment amount can vary from lender to lender. Available only for FFEL Program loans, which are not eligible for PSLF.

For more details on types of repayment plans, please see the repayment plan section on the Department of Education’s web site.

External Scholarships

If you have received a scholarship from an organization outside of Washington State University, please complete the Notice of Estimated Financial Assistance Form. By completing this form and notifying us of these scholarships as soon as possible we’ll make sure these sources of funding are included in your Financial Aid Award for the Academic Year. If you do not notify our office of these scholarships, this could delay the disbursement of your financial aid and/or you may be required to repay funds already released to you.

In addition, if you are receiving an outside scholarship from a private donor, please have them write your name and WSU ID number on the check and have them submit the Scholarship Designation Form, also found on our forms page, along with the scholarship payment to:

Bursar’s Office, Attn: Scholarship Desk
PO Box 641039
Pullman, WA 99163

Aid Eligibility Guidelines

  • You have to be admitted or currently enrolled in a degree seeking program at WSU to be eligible for financial aid.
  • You must submit a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal government, with the results received by WSU. WSU’s priority submission deadlines are clearly posted on our website.
  • If you are eligible for the Washington College Grant and you are a non-citizen who is ineligible to receive federal financial aid, you can submit a Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). WSU’s priority submission deadlines are clearly posted on our website.
  • Student Financial Services may require you to supply documentation to complete your financial aid application. The priority deadline to submit this documentation is clearly posted on our website. You can log in to myWSU to check your To Do List for outstanding financial aid documents, information and/or forms. Required forms are available online at wsu.edu and supporting documentation can be submitted here as well. Any additional information reminders will be sent to you via email.
  • When you accept financial aid, you also accept responsibility for making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) towards completing your degree. SAP is used to define successful completion of coursework to maintain eligibility for your financial aid. Federal and state regulations require the University to establish, publish and apply standards to monitor your progress toward the completion of your certificate or degree program. If you don’t meet these standards, you will be placed on financial aid warning or d Federal SAP regulations will be monitored once and year and state SAP standards will be monitored each term (regardless if you received financial aid or not) and SFS will notify you of any deficiencies that could jeopardize your future aid. Failure to uphold the SAP guidelines may result in disqualification for and/or cancelling of your financial aid funds. More thorough information regarding SAP may be found at financialaid.wsu.edu/sap-requirements/. For more information about the financial aid process and deadlines, please contact Student Financial Services at (509) 335- 9711, visit financialaid.wsu.edu or visit your local Student Financial Services office.

Limitations and Restrictions

Remedial Courses

  • No more than three remedial courses may be taken in one academic year. Examples of remedial classes are Math 90, Math 91, and Math 99.

  • Not-for-credit courses (for example, Math 91, Math 92, Math 99, Math 100, and English 103) will count toward minimum credit course completed for SAP.

  • Not-for-credit and remedial courses will only be counted for one academic year. Remedial credits are monitored by the SAP system.

Repeat Courses

Per federal regulation, federal aid may not be used to pay for more than one repeat of a previously passed course (class) in which you received a grade A through D. Here is an example: A student takes Math 99 and receives financial aid for the course—the student receives a C- for a grade. The student wants to take the course again to improve his/her grade. The student would NOT be able to receive financial aid again for this course. The credit hours for the course would be subtracted from the overall total credits attempted for the semester when determining the financial aid for the semester.

Satisfactory Course Completion

  • Satisfactory completion: A, B, C, D, Pass, and S.

  • Unsatisfactory completion: F, W, X, I, and Fail.

  • Unsatisfactory completion grades are considered as not making satisfactory academic progress.

Audited Courses

Audited courses are not included in the calculation of completed credit hours for SAP purposes.

Endorsements/Non-Degree Seeking

Students working only on endorsements or are in a non-degree seeking program are not eligible for funding.

The Importance of Meeting Student Financial Services Deadlines To Find Out What We Need From You

There are two ways to know what SFS needs from you in order to process your financial aid package.

  1. Check your email either through your WSU email OR through the MyCommunication Center within Student Center

OR

  1. Log into your myWSU account at my.wsu.edu with your WSU network ID and password.
  2. Next, select Student Center.
  3. Find the Financial Aid box on the right hand side and click the ‘details’ link; this will provide you with a list of items that SFS is requesting of you.
  4. If something is listed in an ‘initiated’ status, which means YOU have to take action and complete something for our office.
  5. Each item listed is a link and by clicking on it, you will be given a short explanation of what we need and how to submit it to our office.

State Aid Programs and Information

Washington College Grant Program

The Washington College Grant program helps the state’s lowest-income undergraduate students pursue degrees, hone skills, or retrain for new careers. Students can use the grants at eligible institutions in Washington. The Washington College Grant program provides need-based financial aid to income-eligible students pursuing post-secondary education.

  • Visit the Washington Student Achievement Council’s website for more information regarding eligibility
  • Students who receive the Washington College Grant will need to comply with the conditions below. For questions or if a student is no longer able to comply with these conditions, contact our office at (509) 335-9711 or by email at financialaid@wsu.edu.

Washington College Grant Statement of Educational Purpose:

Students who receive the Washington State College Grant will need to comply with the conditions below. For questions or if a student is no longer able to comply with these conditions, contact our office at (509) 335-9711 or by email at financialaid@wsu.edu.

Conditions of the Washington College Grant: 

  • Must not owe a refund or repayment on a State Grants and/or Loans.
  • You must understand that this grant is awarded to assist in meeting educational expenses. Should you withdraw from classes, repayment of all or part of the grant may be required.
  • You must not be pursuing a degree in theology.
  • You must understand the offer of a Washington College Grant is subject to and conditional upon the availability of funds.
  • You agree to have Washington College Grant aid funds applied directly to your WSU Student account and automatically credited towards mandatory fees such as tuition and fees.
  • If you do not wish to have your Washington College Grant aid funds applied directly to your WSU Student account you must notify the WSU Student Financial Services office to process this request. If you chose this option you must understand that you are responsible for all outstanding balances on your WSU Student Account.

Additional Information on Washington College Grant: 

  • You can choose to voluntarily make financial contributions to the Washington Student Achievement Council in recognition of the Washington College Grant. All voluntary contributions will be used to provide financial assistance to other students.
  • The Washington Student Achievement Council and Washington State University, through which the grant is awarded, reserve the right to withdraw, reduce, or modify the grant due to funding limitations or to changes in circumstances that affect your eligibility for the SNG. Please contact our office to assist you with this information.

The College Bound Scholarship Program

The College Bound Scholarship Program was established by the Washington State Legislature in 2007. It is managed by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). The goal of the program was, and is, to provide financial assistance to low-income, middle-school students who have a dream of attaining a college education.

Conditions of State Aid

The State of Washington requires students receiving state aid to review the following conditions each year:

By accepting state financial aid, you agree to the conditions listed below:

  1. You must meet the requirements for Washington State residency.
  2. You do not owe a repayment to any federal or state grant or scholarship nor are you in default on a state or federal student loan.
  3. You must be enrolled in an eligible program and not be pursuing a degree in theology.
  4. If you hold a bachelor’s degree or the foreign equivalent, or in some circumstances if you are pursuing a second associate degree within five years of earning an associate degree, you are not eligible to receive state grant funds.
  5. If you do not attend or if you withdraw from your classes, you may owe a repayment of all or part of any state funds you have received.
  6. You must maintain the academic progress standards established by your institution in order to receive additional state aid.
  7. There could be other circumstances that would require a repayment or reduction in your current award amounts.
  8. You must meet all eligibility requirements for the state aid program(s) awarded.
  9. The offer of this financial assistance is subject to, and conditioned upon, the availability of funds. Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) and the institution through which the grant, scholarship, or work-study is awarded, reserve the right to withdraw, reduce, or modify the awards due to funding limitations or due to changes in circumstances which affect your eligibility for the program(s).

You may choose to voluntarily make financial contributions to WSAC (Washington Student Achievement Council) in recognition of the assistance that you received. All voluntary contributions will be used to provide financial assistance to other students. Please contact finaid@wsac.wa.gov for more information.

If you have questions or find that you cannot comply with these conditions, please contact our office.

Loan Counseling

Entrance Counseling

If you have not previously received a Federal Perkins Loan, Direct Loan or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL), the Federal Government requires you to complete entrance counseling to ensure that you understand the responsibilities and obligations you are assuming.
**Please note: Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) and Graduate PLUS loans may require additional counseling requirements for borrowers with adverse credit.

To complete Entrance Counseling as an undergraduate student or graduate/professional student, you will need:

  • Approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.
    • Entrance Counseling must be completed in a single session.
  • Your FSA ID
    • Students must log in using their own FSA ID to complete Entrance Counseling. Use of another person’s FSA ID constitutes fraud. Use only your own FSA ID information.
  • Name(s) of the school(s) you wish to notify of counseling completion

Complete Entrance Counseling

Exit Counseling

Exit counseling provides important information you need to prepare to repay your federal student loan(s) and is required to be completed by the student. Depending on the type of loans, students may be required to complete two Exit Counseling sessions-one for Federal Direct Loans and one for Federal Perkins or Nursing Loans.
If you have received a subsidized, unsubsidized or PLUS loan under the Direct Loan Program or the FFEL Program, you must complete exit counseling each time you:

  • Drop below half-time enrollment
  • Graduate
  • Leave School

Note: The FFEL Program ended June 30, 2010 and no new loans have been made under the FFEL Program after that date.
At the end of the exit counseling session, you will be asked for information that will be included as part of your loan records. You must provide the following:

  • Names, addresses, e-mail addresses and phone numbers for:
  • Your next of kin
  • Two references who live in the U.S.
  • Your future employer (if known)

To complete exit counseling, you will need:

  • Approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.
    • Exit Counseling must be completed in a single session.
  • Your FSA ID
    • Students must log in using their own FSA ID to complete Exit Counseling. Use of another person’s FSA ID constitutes fraud. Use only your own FSA ID information.
  • Name(s) of the school(s) you wish to notify of counseling completion

Complete Exit Counseling

Verification with Conflicting Data

Verification, often referred to as File Review, is the process used by schools to verify certain information reported on the student’s FAFSA® to ensure its accuracy. Federal regulations require all universities to survey federally selected  students for this process. Participation in the verification process is not optional and if the requested documentation is not submitted, a student will not be awarded federal, state, or institution financial aid. Federal regulations require all institutions to perform verification on applicants who file for financial aid and meet certain criteria. Some students receive a notice from U.S. Department of Education that they will be selected for verification by the school. Verification starts every year in the late fall. However, a student may be selected at any time throughout the school year. Failure to provide the requested verification information will result in the student not receiving a federal or state award. Verification documentation much be provided in a timely manner allowing enough processing time prior to the end of the term. Generally documentation needs to be provided no later than three weeks prior to the end of the term to allow for processing.

Who is selected and how students are notified:
Washington State University Uses myWSU checklists to identify what elements of verification the student is selected. This checklist will trigger a To Do item in the student’s myWSU account. The process often requires Student Financial Services to obtain  Federal income tax information among other necessary forms or documents to complete the review process. Students will receive an email at their preferred email (new students) or WSU Email (current students) address notifying them that they have been selected for this process and to check myWSU for the items being requested. The required verification forms are listed on the myWSU To Do list. If they are being asked to submit forms or documents, it will list them on this page. All Financial Aid Verification forms are available on the WSU Financial Aid secure portal.

Verification Requirements:
Students and/or parents/spouse will be asked to submit tax documentation and/or WSU financial aid forms for one or more of the following data elements on the FAFSA®: Adjusted Gross Income, Taxes Paid, Income Earned from Work (for non-tax filers), number of family members in the household, number of family members enrolled in college (excluding parents for a dependent student), citizenship status, and any other inconsistent or conflicting information (including name, date of birth, social security number, etc.) The requested documents and forms will vary based on each student.

Return of Title IV

The U.S. Department of Education and the State of Washington requires institutions to apply a Return of Title IV funds policy (PDF // WORD) and grant disbursement a repayment policy for students withdrawing from a university who received Title IV financial aid and/or state aid.

Contact WSU’s Registrar’s Office for information regarding refund policies regarding the return of unearned tuition and fees.

Disbursement for Books and Supplies

The University must provide a way for a student who is eligible for federal aid to obtain or purchase, by the 7th day of the term, the books and supplies applicable to the term, if 10 days before the beginning of the term the institution could disburse funds the student is eligible for and assuming the funds were disbursed, the student would have a credit balance (i.e. refund). Washington State University disburses financial aid to students who are meeting all disbursement criteria, up to a week prior to classes starting. This allows time for students receiving financial aid greater than their charges to receive their refund and purchase books and supplies in a timely manner. Not all students will meet all disbursement criteria and not all students will receive financial aid greater than their charges.

Credits Earned through Study Abroad

Code of Conduct

Introduction

In April 1999, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) adopted the following 12 point Statement of Ethical Principles that has served as a common foundation for accepted standards of conduct for financial aid professionals. As financial aid administrators, we embrace the responsibility of ensuring ethical behavior through established standards and guidance, as put forth in the following statement and code of conduct.

NASFAA’s Statement of Ethical Principles

The financial aid professional shall:

  • Be committed to removing financial barriers for those who wish to pursue post-secondary learning.
  • Make every effort to assist students with financial need.
  • Be aware of the issues affecting students and advocate their interests at the institutional, state, and federal levels.
  • Support efforts to encourage students, as early as the elementary grades, to aspire to and plan for education beyond high school.
  • Educate students and families through quality consumer information.
  • Respect the dignity and protect the privacy of students, and ensure the confidentiality of student records and personal circumstances.
  • Ensure equity by applying all need analysis formulas consistently across the institution’s full population of student financial aid applications.
  • Provide services that do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or economic status.
  • Recognize the need for professional development and continuing education opportunities.
  • Promote the free expression of ideas and opinions, and foster respect for diverse viewpoints within the profession.
  • Commit to the highest level of ethical behavior and refrain from conflict of interest or the perception thereof.
  • Maintain the highest level of professionalism, reflecting a commitment to the goals of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Washington State University Financial Aid Code of Conduct

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) requires educational institutions to develop and comply with a code of conduct that prohibits conflicts of interest for financial aid personnel [HEOA § 487(a)(25)]. Any Washington State University officer, employee, or agent who has responsibilities with respect to student educational loans must comply with this code of conduct. The following provisions bring Washington State University into compliance with the federal law [HEOA § 487(e)].
These principles apply throughout the administration of the programs for which the financial aid professional is responsible. There should never be any difference between “ethical” and “best” practices. The ethical practice is always the best practice. As an organization, Washington State University unequivocally supports the principles and practices described in this Code of Conduct. When a practice or policy arises that appears in conflict with these principles, it is the obligation of the financial aid professional to bring this to the attention of those responsible within his or her institution, and to seek a timely resolution consistent with these principles.
The obligation in this code of Conduct are in addition to any requirements imposed by state ethics laws, federal laws, or university policies (i.e. the stricter standard of ethical behavior will apply in all instances). Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

  1. Neither Washington State University as an institution nor any individual officer, employee or agent shall enter into an revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender.
    • Revenue-sharing arrangements includes circumstances where an institution recommends a lender or the loan products of a lender who provides or issues a loan in exchange for a fee or provision of material benefits, including revenue or profit sharing, to the institution, or employee or agent of the institution.
  2. No officer or employee of Washington State University who is employed in the financial aid office or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education, loans, or agent who has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or any of their family members, shall solicit or accept any gift from a lender, guarantor, or servicer of education loans.
    • For purposes of this prohibition, the term “gift” means any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, or other item having a monetary value of more than a de minimus amount. (The term includes a gift of services, transportation, lodging, or meals whether provided in kind by purchase of a ticket, payment in advance or reimbursement after the expense has been incurred)
  3. An officer or employee of Washington State University who is employed in the financial aid office or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or an agent who has responsibilities with respect to education loans, shall not accept from any lender or affiliate of any lender any fee, payment or other financial benefit (including the opportunity to purchase stock) as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or other contract to provide services to a lender or on behalf of a lender relating to education loans.
  4. Washington State University shall not:
    1. For any first-time borrower, assign, through award packaging or other methods, the borrower’s loan to a particular lender; or,
    2. Refuse to certify, or delay certification of, any loan based on the borrower’s selection of a particular lender or guarantee agency.
  5. Washington State University shall not request or accept from any lender any offer of funds to be used for private education loans, including funds for an opportunity pool loan, to students in exchange for the institution providing concessions or promises regarding providing the lender with:
    1. A specified number of loans made, insured, or guaranteed under Title IV;
    2. A specified loan volume of such loans; or,
    3. A preferred lender arrangement for such loans.
      • “Opportunity pool loan” means a private education loan made by a lender to a student attending the institution or the family member such a student that involves a payment, directly or indirectly, by such institution of points, premiums, additional interest, or financial support to such lender for the purpose of such lender extending credit to the student or the family [20 U.S.C.A. § 1094(e)(5)(B)].
  6. Washington State University shall not request or accept from any lender any assistance with call center staffing or financial aid office staffing.
  7. Any Washington State University employee who is employed in the financial aid office, or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans or other student financial aid, and who serves on an advisory board, commission, or group established by a lender, guarantor, or group of lenders or guarantors, shall be prohibited from receiving anything of value from the lender, guarantor, or group of lenders or guarantors, except that the employee may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in serving on such an advisory board, commission, or group.
    • Any and all reimbursement received for any service on advisory boards, commissions or other groups by lenders, servicers or guarantors must be reported annually to the Department of Education by Washington State University.

Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violation

Your eligibility for federal student aid can be affected by incarceration and/or the type of conviction you have. Drug convictions no longer affect federal student aid eligibility. For more information visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements/criminal-convictions.

Annual Security Report/Clery Act

WSU Public Safety, which includes the Police Department and the Office of the Campus Fire Marshal, is responsible for maintaining these records and issuing warnings as required by the Clery Act and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. The crime and fire information are published in the annual Security and Fire Report.

Campus Safety and Personnel

Emergency Services

  • WSU Police Services: Public Safety Building, 911 (emergency), (509) 335-8548 (business), (509) 332-2521 (non-emergency calls for service), police@wsu.edu
  • Emergency Medical Services: 911 (emergency), (509) 332-8172 (non-emergency) provided by the Pullman Fire Department
  • Pullman Fire Department: 911 (emergency), (509) 332-8172 (business), 6205 Grand Avenue
  • Crisis Line: (509) 334-1133, Toll Free: 1-866-871-6385, TDD/TTY: 1-800-833-6388 24-hour crisis intervention phone counseling. Trained staff listen and make referrals to other services in the area.
  • Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222, TDD/TTY: 1-800-222-1222
  • Bias Hotline: (509) 332-2427 (BIAS) Bias related incidents can be reported via this phone number. The WHITCOM dispatcher will ask a series of prompted questions to evaluate the incident. Based on this information, an appropriate response will be determined.
  • Health and Wellness Services: (509) 335-3575, hws@wsu.edu Health and Wellness Services provides primary health care to students in addition to counseling and information on health and preventative care.

Sexual Assault Services

  • Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse: (509) 332-HELP (4357) or (208) 883-HELP, www.atvp.org Nonprofit, volunteer, professional agency that assists survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault. Provides 24-hour crisis intervention, confidential shelter, and support groups for victims, and workshops on domestic violence.
  • WSU Counseling Services: (509) 335-4511, (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm), 509-335-2159 (after hours and weekends), Washington Building Room 302, provides one-on-one counseling and a variety of support groups.
  • Women’s Center: (509) 335-6849, Wilson Hall 8 Provides crisis intervention, referral, and support for individuals who need assistance in resolving personal situations. The Sexual Assault Prevention Resource Guide is prepared and distributed by the WRC.
  • Cougar Safe Rides: (978) 267-7233, Women’s Transit is a safety service for WSU students and the Pullman community. We offer free rides within Pullman city limits to anyone who feels uncomfortable walking alone at night.
  • Safety Escort: (509) 432-3818, available free of charge to walk with students, faculty, staff, or visitors, during the academic year between campus buildings, local living areas, or any of the Washington State University grounds. Escorts are available Wednesday – Saturday, 8pm – 2am.
  • The Division of Student Affairs: (509) 335-4531, French Administration Rm. 134, committed to maximizing the student experience from the minute they first make contact with WSU all the way until they graduate and become contributing members of our global society.
  • WSU Center for Community Standards: (509) 335-4532, Lighty Student Services, Rm. 360. The WSU Office of Student Conduct fosters a developmental approach to student conduct, provides support and guidance to the University community and promotes WSU values and expectations. Through the Standards of Conduct for Students, Cougs hold themselves to the highest standards of ethics, integrity and accountability.
  • Sexual Assault Response: (509) 335-8548, WSUPD has adopted best practice law enforcement strategies for investigating sexual assaults and has a team of officers trained in the investigation of sexual assaults and conducting trauma informed interviews.  These specially trained officers are available anytime to meet with you and discuss the investigatory options offered by our department. Additionally, the officers can help you determine what direction is most appropriate for your situation and are available to assist with obtaining whatever resources are necessary to ensure your advocacy, health, and safety needs.
  • Compliance and Civil Rights: (509) 335-8288, French Administration Rm. 225, seeks to integrate principles of equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, fairness and equality into all academic and employment activities and practices throughout Washington State University (WSU).

Sexual Assault Programs and Policies

Sexual misconduct will not be excused or tolerated at Washington State University. The University is required by the 1992 Federal Higher Education Act Amendment to adopt policies and programs aimed at prevention and response. Washington State criminal and civil laws and WSU’s Standards of Conduct for Students are enforced. WSU has adopted measures to educate the campus community and protocols to assist victims. Special emphasis is placed on the needs, rights, and privacy of the victim and due process for offenders. The University is dedicated to maintaining a quality living and learning environment which encourages personal integrity, good decision-making, cooperative rather than coercive interpersonal behavior, and respect for the rights of others.

Sexual offenses of any kind, including acquaintance rape, indecent liberties, and assault of a sexual nature are prohibited. University policy prohibiting sexual offenses is consistent with state law. The definition of rape under state law includes sexual intercourse with a person who clearly expressed lack of consent by his or her words or conduct. Washington law further defines consent to sexual activity as actual words or conduct indicating freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse. The University also prohibits sexual contact when such contact amounts to assault under Washington law. Assault includes harmful and offensive contact with another. Lack of opportunity to consent to the contact may be evidence of assault.

Transportation Services

Scheduled times vary; a copy of each schedule is available at the Public Safety Building.

Other University Services

Sex Offender Registry

The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000 requires colleges and universities to inform students and employees how to learn the identity of registered sex offenders on campus. This law also requires that sex offenders provide notice to any institution of higher education at which the person is employed or is a student. You can obtain information regarding registered sexual offenders by contacting the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office and their Records Department, located at:

Address:

N. 411 Mill
Colfax, Washington 99111

Phone:
(509) 397-6266

Emergency Response Protocols

WSU has developed many resources and tools for crisis communications. The primary tools are the Campus Outdoor Warning System (COWS) consisting of sirens and public address speakers mounted throughout campus; the Crisis Communication System (CCS) which consists of a vendor provided service that contacts the university community directly via cell phones (both voice and text), landlines (voice), email and pagers with emergency warnings and notifications; and the WSU ALERT web site which will serve as the primary source of emergency and other critical information for the campus.

The CCS is an opt-in system.  Students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to sign up to receive emergency messages through this system. Follow these instructions to register for the CCS:

  • Connect to the myWSU portal
  • On the COMMUNICATIONS NOTICES page find the section for Emergency Notification
  • Click Register to go to the page where you can enter your personal information.
    • Be sure to read the TERMS OF SERVICE prior to registration. If your cell phone service charges fees for text messages, you are responsible for those charges.
  • Complete information on WSU Crisis Communications System, Resources, and Notification Plan .
    • During emergencies, the primary resource for information on the current status of WSU for the university community as well as the general public will be the WSU ALERT web site. The site is available to anyone with access to the internet and will be updated as conditions warrant with current information during a crisis affecting the university. Additional communications will come from the internal communications resources of the Office of University Relations.

Missing Student Policy

If anybody has reason to believe that a student who resides in on campus housing is missing, he or she should immediately call 911. Callers outside the Pullman area should call (509) 332-2521. The Washington State University Police Department will initiate an investigation. After investigating the missing student report, should WSU PD determine that the student is missing, the WSU PD shall, within two hours, transmit the report for inclusion within the Washington Crime Information Center (WACIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) databases. The information is also relayed to other local and surrounding law enforcement agencies. If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not an emancipated individual, WSU will notify the student’s parent or legal guardian within 24 hours after WSU PD has determined the student is missing. In addition to registering an emergency contact, students residing in on campus housing have the option to identify confidentially an individual to be contacted by WSU in the event the student is determined to be missing. This confidential contact will be accessible only to authorized campus officials and may not be disclosed except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing person investigation. If a student has identified such an individual, WSU will notify that individual no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. A student who wishes to identify a confidential contact can do so by contacting WSU’s Housing Office at (509) 335-4577.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Vaccination Policies

Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment

 

ccr.wsu.edu/discrimination/

hrs.wsu.edu/training/discrimination-sexual-harassment-prevention/

Completion, Graduation, Transfer and Placement Rates

Graduation and Retention Rates

ir.wsu.edu/student-retention-and-graduation/
PDF

Graduation Rates for Students Receiving Athletically Related Student Aid (Student Right-to-Know Act)

 

ir.wsu.edu/ncaa-division-i-graduation-rates/

Equity in Athletics Report

Teacher Prep Program

Teacher Certification FAQ’s

Voter Registration

Cougs Vote … We encourage all that are eligible to register and vote, to do so.

 

Last updated: August, 2024