There may be cases when a financial aid offer is adjusted or recalculated based on a variety of reasons.
The common reasons a financial aid offer was adjusted or recalculated are listed on this page. Please reach out to our office if you have questions. We are here to help!
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the average cost to attend WSU for one academic year. The COA includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses. The COA varies from campus to campus and determines how much aid a student is eligible to receive. If there is a change to a student’s COA after their financial aid has been offered, their financial aid offer must be recalculated. Common Examples why the COA will Change:
- Campus Change
- Course load change (going from full time to three-quarter or half-time time)
- Tuition or Fees are increased or decreased after financial aid offers were calculated
Please visit our Cost of Attendance page to view the Estimated Cost of attending each WSU’s six campus locations.
Change in Student Aid Index (SAI)
The amount and type of financial aid a student is offered is based on the Student Aid Index (SAI) that comes from the Financial Aid Application (Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)). When this number changes after a student’s financial aid has been offered financial aid a recalculation of the financial aid offer must take place. If the student or university makes a change to the student’s Financial Aid Application this may cause the SAI to change. If the university is making the change it is usually due to information we have received after the financial offer has been finalized. If a student needs to make a change to their Financial Aid Application after they have received their financial aid offer, it is recommended to contact our office to discuss the change before it takes place.
Residency Changes
Residency is determined at the time of formal admission to the university on the basis of information included in the university application for admission. Residency policies are set by the State of Washington (RCW 28B.15) and applied uniformly throughout Washington’s public colleges and universities. Students who do not establish Washington State residency will be charged out of state tuition.
If a student becomes a Washington State resident, or a resident becomes a non-resident, after their financial aid has been offered their cost of attendance and offer will be recalculated to account for the change.
Residency Information and Residency questions are through WSU Office of the Registrar.
Campus Change
Tuition and fees vary from campus to campus. If a student transfers to a different campus after their financial aid has been offered, their offer will be recalculated to account for the changes. Please visit our Cost of Attendance page to view the Estimated Cost of attending each WSU’s six campus locations.
Academic Level Change
There are annual limits on the amount of loans a student can receive each academic year. These amounts are based on grade level and dependency status. If a student’s grade level has changed after they were originally offered financial aid, there may be cases where they are eligible for additional loans based on the grade level change, and their offer will be recalculated. Please visit our Student Loans page for detailed information regarding types of loans and annual and aggregate limits.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Federal and state financial aid regulations require that recipients of federal and state aid make satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of their degree. If a student is currently in a SAP disqualification, and/or is waiting on a decision regarding a submitted SAP appeal, the system will cancel out either federal or state aid, depending on what the student is disqualified in. Once the SAP status changes, our team will re-offer aid accordingly.