The office of financial aid strives to bring the cost of education within reach through a variety of financial aid programs. Learn the basics here. Please do not hesitate to email the office of financial aid or call 971-449-9223 if you have any further questions.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Pursuant to university Policies 1013 and 2001, University of Western States admits students of any race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, sex or age to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the university. Find out more about this policy and how you can handle inquiries.
What do you need?
Financial Aid Basics
- The primary source of federal funding for graduate education is through student loans.
- Students are free to pursue non-federal loans (through a bank or other lending agency).
- You must file a FAFSA for each academic year you will attend and plan to receive financial aid. UWS awards on a summer through spring cycle. The FAFSA is available online at studentaid.gov.
- Federal loans will require completion of a “Master Promissory Note” and “Entrance Counseling” before those funds can be disbursed.
- Federal loans are paid on a quarterly basis, and if you have completed all the required paperwork and eligibility requirements on time, will typically be paid to your student account during week two of each term.
- Half-time enrollment is required each term both for eligibility for new loans for that quarter, and to maintain the in-school deferment status on your existing loans. We recommend talking to your advisor or program director about your course plan for your degree.
- If you have any questions, contact the financial aid office by phone at 971-449-9223 or by email at [email protected].
Eligibility, Application and Receiving Funds
U.S. Students
Eligibility:
To qualify for U.S. financial aid you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible permanent resident.
- Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress toward a degree or certificate.
- Not be in violation of any federal student aid regulations.
How to apply:
To apply for aid, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The university’s federal school code is 012309. To ensure that you have access to all available aid, we recommend that you apply as early as possible.
After you file your FAFSA:
After you file, additional information may be needed to fairly and accurately determine your need. As part of the verification process, you may be asked to submit a copy of your tax transcript, W-2s, verification worksheets and other potential documents. If further information is needed, students will be notified by email.
After you complete the financial aid application process:
Your financial aid application will be reviewed after you have been admitted to a degree or certificate program at University of Western States. Once all requested financial aid documents have been returned, you will receive information about your financial aid offer via email.
What to expect in your financial aid package:
- Total cost estimate of your academic program
- Information on the types of aid included on your award letter
- Satisfactory Academic Progress policy
- Information on additional federal loan options, if applicable
Calculating Eligibility:
The information you provide on your FAFSA is used to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Statutory formulas take into account untaxed income, assets, the number of people in your household, etc. The financial aid office determines your financial need by subtracting your EFC from the cost of attendance (COA), which is also known as the student budget.
Total Cost – Estimated Contribution = Financial Need
You are permitted to receive up to the total cost of attendance from all sources, including but not limited to, direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, grants, scholarships, stipends, etc.
Disbursement Information
The office of financial aid disburses funds as soon as enrollment and participation can be confirmed, and refunds are typically available as a direct deposit or check to be mailed within three business days. Outside of the start of the term, UWS processes disbursements and refunds at least weekly over the remainder of the term for students who become eligible or are approved for additional funding. Any student, including on-line students, requiring access to books prior to the 7th day of the term may contact the UWS library, which maintains copies of course books for lending, or the financial aid office to discuss additional questions.
International Students
Aid from your home country
International students at the University of Western States often fund their education through government-sponsored loans and grants from their home countries, as well as educational lines of credit and other alternative loan sources.
To determine what types of federal aid may be available from your home country, please contact your country’s education department. For information about lines of credit or alternative loans, we recommend researching options through banks and other financial institutions in your country. If you need to provide proof of educational costs to secure financial aid, please submit the necessary documents to the Financial Aid Office for certification.
International Student Scholarships
UWS offers a variety of opportunities for institutional aid specifically designed for international students. These scholarships aim to support eligible international students in achieving their academic goals by providing tuition assistance. International students are encouraged to review the available scholarships as each award may have specific eligibility criteria. By exploring these opportunities, students can find the support they need to make their education at UWS more accessible and affordable.
View available scholarships here.
Canadian Student Aid
Find contact information for provincial and territorial student financial assistance offices here.
Resources for Canadian Students:
FAQ
What is a FAFSA?
Students need to apply for need-based federal student aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. The FAFSA will determine a student’s “Expected Family Contribution (EFC)” toward his or her education for that year. This will be used to decide what types of financial aid a student is eligible to receive.
What is my Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and why does it seem so high?
The EFC is a federal calculation that is an estimate of your family’s ability to contribute to your education during an academic year. The calculation takes into account your family size, number of family members in enrolled in college (excluding your parents if you are a dependent student), family income, family assets, taxes paid and a number of other factors. The EFC often seems high but remember that it does not necessarily represent the amount you and/or your family must pay to the school for direct educational expenses. It is simply meant to be an approximate measure of your family’s ability to contribute. The EFC can be covered, if necessary, with student and/or parent loans.
Can I receive financial aid for my concurrent degree program at UWS?
Students who are concurrently enrolled at UWS in two or more programs may request loans to cover the additional costs associated with the additional program(s). Generally, the additional funding is provided in the form of a Grad PLUS loan. Contact the financial aid office ([email protected] ) to obtain a Funding Request for Additional Programs form.
Is financial aid available for certificate programs?
Financial aid is available for the Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine Certificate and the Applied Sport Psychology Certificate. However, it is not available for any other graduate certificate programs at this time.
Is financial aid available for undergraduate programs?
When it comes to UWS undergraduate programs, financial aid information will vary from student to student. Please contact the financial aid office by email ([email protected]) or phone (971-449-9215) to discuss your individualized financial aid approach.
Where’s my money?
Please contact the UWS financial aid office for your financial aid status information.
I’m dropping class, how does this affect financial aid?
If you are dropping one class, you may be eligible for a refund. Please see Policy 3021 Tuition and Fees Refund for more details. If you need to withdraw from the term, please fill out the Temporary Withdrawal Form.
I’m starting school soon, what steps do I need to take to receive financial aid?
First step, complete a FAFSA at studentaid.gov as soon as possible. If you have already completed a FAFSA, be sure to include the UWS School Code: 012309.
Contact the office of financial aid at [email protected] or 971-449-9223 if you have any questions.