Welcome! We are so glad you got to Experience WSU with us this spring. We know there’s a lot to take in, and our office is here to make sure you have everything you need to fully understand your student’s financial aid opportunities.
Did You Attend Our Financial Aid Presentation?
If you have any feedback for Student Financial Services about our Understanding Aid event during Experience, please let us know using the form below so we can make sure our presentations are as helpful as possible.
Want to Learn More?
Have Questions?
We are available to help with all aspects of your student’s financial aid, every step of the way. You may reach out to us by phone, email or virtual/in-person appointment.
Next Steps
There are some steps you can take to prepare for the upcoming school year.
- Set up third-party access
- Make sure all aid applications are submitted
- Declare any outside scholarships
- Review Any Loan Offers
1. Viewing Your Student’s Financial Aid
Once your student has begun attending class, FERPA privacy protections will apply to their account and we will not be able to discuss your student’s financial aid with you without their consent. Your student can grant you account permissions through myWSU.
This is done by going to my.WSU.edu > Profile > Third Party Access to set up a WSU Friend ID. This allows you to view your student’s account balance, financial aid information, and grades—depending on what options your student selects for you.
If you have trouble recovering your third-party access password or your WSU Friend account, please contact the Crimson Service Desk for technical support.
2. The FAFSA, WASFSA and General Scholarship Application are Still Open
The WSU General Scholarship Application and both financial aid applications (FAFSA and WASFA) are open the whole year. While the priority deadline for some aid has passed, many aid opportunities are available all year long. If your student has not finished their applications, there’s still time!
3. Declaring Outside Scholarships
“Outside scholarships” refers to any scholarships awarded by a donor not affiliated with WSU. These awards affect what aid we can offer your student and the sooner we know about them, the more accurate your student’s aid offer will be.
4. Loans Offers Cannot be Accepted Yet
Your student may have one or more loan offers on their account. Federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans cannot be accepted until later this summer. Similarly, parent PLUS loan applications will not open until this summer, either.
General Financial Aid Timeline
Charges will post to your student’s account after they have registered for classes and been assigned to their residence hall (if they’re living on campus). Class registration will open during New Coug Orientation, when your student will have the opportunity to sit down with an academic advisor.
However these charges aren’t due until the first day of classes in the fall. Financial aid will begin disbursing to student accounts about a week before classes start, so during this time students and supporters should keep an eye on the charges in myWSU and reach out to us immediately if you have any questions. The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can help address any issues.
You can view a more in-depth breakdown of the timeline of charges and due dates in our Navigating Your Finances article.
Stay Up to Date
Financial aid is a continual process. As the academic year progresses, you’ll want to keep track of any changes you notice and make sure all expected aid has disbursed. If your student decides to attend a nonstandard term (such as winter or summer session), study abroad or attend less than full-time, please reach out to talk to us ahead of time to make sure you’re prepared.
Each WSU campus has separate contact information and a financial aid staff dedicated to those students. However, you can always reach out to the Pullman campus if you are unsure of who to contact.
Check Email Regularly
Our office sends regular communications to students updating them about the status of their financial aid. If anything comes up, your student’s WSU email will be the first place they’ll hear about it. If our office needs documents or additional action from your student, instructions will always be sent to them in their email.
Follow Us On Social Media
Stay updated on timely financial aid matters and opportunities by connecting with us on Instagram, X or Facebook!
Additional Resources
At Student Financial Services, we deal exclusively with the disbursement of approved financial aid and related issues, however we work closely with other WSU services and departments involving broader student financial matters. The most common departments you’ll need to reach out to in regards to charges and aid are the Bursar’s Office, Housing, and the Registrar’s Office.
Bursar’s Office
Phone: (509)335-9711
The Bursar’s Office accepts payments, places charges on accounts and handles late fees. Please reach out with any questions regarding actual charges or payment-related holds on your student’s account.
WSU Housing
Phone: (509) 335-4557
WSU Housing and Residence Life handles residence hall fees, charges and related account holds.
Registrar’s Office
Phone: (509) 335-5346
Students navigating Washington State residency issues, enrollment verification, summer enrollment or similar issues will need to speak with the Registrar’s Office.