by our College Data Analytics TeamFinancial aid in the form of loans, grants, work-study, and scholarships is one way colleges reduce the cost of attendance so most students can actually afford to attend.
Curious about the financial aid opportunities at WWU and what you may be eligible for? Explore the answers here.
Western Washington University average financial aid offer for freshmen students is $6,064.00. About 87% of first year students receive financial aid, most of which is in the form of loans.
A financial aid package includes loans, grants, and scholarships. However, student loans have to be paid back, so they aren’t a true discount.
Concerned about the loans that may be included in your financial aid package? See the average amount of debt per student at Western Washington University.
Financial awards given by a college or university to its students, known as institutional scholarships and grants, help to offset the cost of tuition and other education-related expenses. These awards fall into two categories: merit-based and need-based, and they do not need to be paid back. Merit-based institutional scholarships are granted to students who have shown outstanding academic accomplishments, special talents, or abilities in a particular field. Factors such as high school performance, standardized test results, or involvement in extracurricular activities often contribute to these scholarship decisions. Conversely, need-based institutional grants cater to students who demonstrate financial need. The awarded amount is typically based on the student’s family’s financial standing and is intended to cover the difference between the cost of attendance and the family’s ability to contribute. Colleges and universities might use data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other financial aid forms to determine a student’s eligibility for need-based grants. Institutional scholarships and grants are a vital source of financial support for students, as they can significantly reduce the cost of attending college and help make higher education more accessible.
The numbers listed below make reference to help that is offered by Western Washington University.
70% of incoming freshmen (2140 total) were given scholarships at Western Washington University, averaging $3,675.00 per student. This puts it in the top 50th percentile among colleges and universities nationwide.
As well as scholarships, 35% of freshmen (1079 total) received a federal grant, for about $4,235.00 a person.
Amount of Financial Assistance Per Income Level
The table below shows grant and scholarship distributions by income for first-year students getting any sort of federally-funded Title IV aid, including Federal PLUS loans.
| Income Level | Percent of Freshman | Average Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Income 0-30k | 9.84% | $14,486.00 |
| Income 30k-48k | 6.07% | $13,108.00 |
| Income 48k-75k | 7.73% | $7,646.00 |
| Income 75k-110k | 4.71% | $2,702.00 |
| Income 110k + | 8.54% | $1,364.00 |
The table above displays undergrads who are getting Title IV aid, federal aid from the government including loans, grants or work-study. Learn more here.
2463 WWU undergrads obtain grant aid (this is about 87% of the entire undergraduate student population). The average amount these students receive is $6,064.00.
Check out the Tuition and Fees page or the Cost Per Credit Hour page to find out more.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.