Join us. Life at WWU centers around faith, learning, community, and exploring the legendary Pacific Northwest. WWU prepares you for more than a career.
It makes you part of the WWU family—for life.
It encourages a life of service.
It fosters faith.
It shapes character.
Keep reading to learn how to make this experience happen for you.
Want to know more about how to apply for financial aid? Are you planning to apply for scholarships, grants, or need-based aid? This live presentation will cover the process of applying for financial aid, finding student employment, and other resources on how to pay for college.
WWU offers a generous and wide-ranging scholarship program. And, by starting at WWU as a freshman, you could be eligible for about $70,000 more in aid than if you start elsewhere. Best of all, many are renewable yearly if you keep your grades up and they do not have to be repaid.
Why are some students able to cut the costs of their college education? Because they've figured out that they're in the driver's seat, and that by being savvy, they can make decisions that will save them money. Did you know, for example, that taking larger class loads can save as much as 1-1/2 quarters of tuition over four years? That's just one of 25 ways to reduce college costs and minimize student loan debt.
The combination of Washington state’s high minimum wage and WWU’s robust student employment program means that you could earn up to $8,000 a year working part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer.
WWU offers an impressive selection of grants—in addition to our scholarships and many other sources of grants.
Up to $15,000 WWU need-based grant (even parents whose annual income is over $100,000 may be eligible)
$2,500 Out of Area Grant for students starting fall 2020
North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC) grant
Up to $3,000 church match grant
And more
Apply as soon as possible, as some funding is limited.
Loans can make financial sense when investing in a college education. Even at that, WWU urges students to minimize loans, pay attention to the interest rates and terms, and make sure they are appropriately sized for their potential income.
The number of WWU students who graduate debt-free is on the rise and is currently at 35 percent.
The average loan indebtedness for WWU graduates is $33,175; The average loan indebtedness nationally for all graduates is $39,400.
Thinking of taking a detour through community college? Starting at community college may not save you money. With our freshman scholarship program, you could save $20,000 by attending WWU all four years.
What next? That depends. Which of these is you?
I'm just considering WWU. Learn how financial aid can make a WWU education possible at www.wallawalla.edu/financial-aid. Or call our admissions office: (800) 541-8900.
I got accepted but have not received a financial aid award. Provide all your information so we can process your award. See the steps at www.wallawalla.edu/apply-for-aid. Students who apply before April 30 may receive slightly larger aid packages.
I already received my financial aid award. Pay your enrollment fee by April 30 and get a $100 refund after classes start. Use your myWWU ID to log in at www.wallawalla.edu/enrollfee.
A WWU Christian education is a great investment—perhaps the most important one you’ll make. We’re here to guide you through the process and help you every step of the way:
Call us—if you want to talk to a person—not a recording! (800) 656-2315
Attend one of our Financial Aid Workshops in person or watch our webinars.
Get text updates.
Graduating in 5 years can increase your costs by 26%—and graduating in 6 years by 53%.
Loans will be automatically awarded to you based on your FAFSA information. Cancel or reduce the ones you don’t need.
Working part-time during the school year and full-time in the summer can reduce potential debt by up to $32,000 over four years. Find jobs.
Borrowers working in many jobs are eligible for partial or full loan forgiveness.
Compare anticipated wages in your career to your educational debt to determine how much you can afford.
WWU’s tuition rate is the same for 12-16 hours, so taking a full load can add a whopping quarter-and-a-half of free tuition over four years. Apply now.
Besides scholarships that WWU offers, you can find others online at sources like Fastweb.com. Check with local service organizations and your major department, too.
If you show eligibility, WWU can match your church’s qualified donation by up to $3,000. Any church is eligible. Download match request.
Stay on top of your total debt by reading the reports you get from WWU on how much you’ve borrowed.
Changing majors can mean some of your classes won’t apply to your degree and thus could drive up your costs. Use WWU’s career services to help you make your decision early.
If you’re not sure about your major, pick classes that meet general requirements—so you won’t be wasting credits. Apply now.
This varies, so talk with WWU’s Academic Advisement team to see which ones take longer to finish—and subsequently cost more.
This means you may be awarded up to $60,000 in WWU scholarships over four years. It will also keep you from losing your scholarships once you’re in college. Check out our Freshman Scholarship Calculator.
Take college prerequisites during high school (3 years of math, 4 years of history, 2 years of English, and 2 years of science). Advanced math like precalculus is also recommended.
Transfer students aren’t eligible for WWU’s generous scholarship program, so you could lose over $61,500 in scholarships if you start elsewhere.
Make sure your study abroad doesn’t add another year to your program.
It’s good to get involved but joining clubs you won’t be involved in can be a waste of money.
You don’t have to have a car to come to college. Credit card and car debt are frequent reasons that keep students from getting a college education.
Some classes have fees ranging from $15 to $150. Check the bulletin to find out which ones do.
Renting, buying used books, or purchasing digital books can sometimes save money. The WWU bookstore offers several options for budget-conscious students.
They’re competitively priced and within walking distance. Studies show that students living on-campus have higher chances of completing college.
Sharing rent, utilities and other living expenses can save you money.
Pick the one that fits you best—and then be sure you use it so you don’t waste money. Compare meal plans.
Take advantage of ASWWU’s free entertainment, carpool, and watch your eating out and coffee expenses. Little things can add up.
Make a budget and track where your money is going.
It’s always best to consider loans only after you’ve done all you can to keep your expenses down.
If you keep your loan payments at a level you can handle based on your expected income, loans can be a sensible way to help fund an education. But as with any financial decision, you should always be well informed and cautious before taking on any debt.
The average student loan debt for our graduating seniors is consistently less than the national average. In addition, WWU’s low loan default rates show our students are able to manage their loan payments.
