Financial Aid

Financial Aid Process

UWest makes it a priority to keep our tuition and housing prices affordable, and we also
do everything we can to help our students find and apply for federal, state, and local
grants and scholarships.

We are partners in financing your education — let’s get started!

Eligibility Requirements

Generally, you are eligible to apply for need-based federal and/or state aid if you are:
U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens (such as permanent residents);
Undocumented and meet California Dream Act requirements or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status;
Possess a valid Social Security Number (if required);
Enrolled (or plan to enroll) in an eligible degree program;
Meet satisfactory academic progress requirements.

**International Students**
As an international student, you are not eligible to receive financial aid from federal or state sources; however, you may be awarded merit scholarships.
Additionally, international students may apply for some private loans with a qualified co-signer who is a U.S. citizen. Please visit the International Students page for more information.

Application

STEP ONE Complete the FAFSA

The FAFSA application allows us to review your eligibility for federal
and state financial aid. If you haven’t done so, complete your FAFSA
online:

The FAFSA cycle opens October 1 every year.
Any FAFSA contributors, including the student and the student’s spouse or parents, will need to consent to having their tax return information retrieved directly from the IRS.

Enter UWest’s Federal School Code: 036963. (Transfer students must add UWest’s school code to your current FAFSA.)

Financial aid is awarded on an academic-year basis and it is not automatically renewable. Therefore, you must complete the FAFSA application for each year of attendance.

FAFSA Tutorial
FAFSA Application Website

STEP TWO Complete the UWest Application for Financial Aid and Scholarships

The UWest Application for Financial Aid and Scholarships allows us to establish a financial aid and scholarship profile for you at UWest.
Please remember to submit the application to the UWest Financial Aid Office by April 1.

Learn More about Scholarships

CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) California residents are required to complete their FAFSA or CADAA by March 2 in order to be considered for a Cal Grant award.

CA Dream Act Website

Financial Aid Offer

Where can you find your financial aid offer?
Your financial aid offer, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study that you are eligible for from federal, state, institutional, and private sources, is coordinated by the Financial Aid Office.
Once your financial aid offer is ready, you’ll receive an email notification from the Financial Aid Office introducing you to log in to your UWest Student Portal >> MyFinancial Aid >> Financial Aid Overview.
Financial Aid Offer may be updated throughout the academic year. If there are any changes to your offer, you will typically receive an email notification through your UWest email account.

How do you accept or decline your financial aid offer?
Your Grants and Scholarships are gift aid and are already accepted for you.

To accept/decline your Loans and/or Work-Study offered, please complete thefollowing steps:

Log in to your UWest Student Portal
Locate your Financial Aid Offer in My Financial Aid >> Financial Aid
Overview
Click on the View Financial Aid Offer tile
Confirm you are in the Financial Aid Year listed on your award notice
Under Loans & Work-Study, click on Accept or Decline
Click the Submit Funds button at the bottom of the page
A confirmation pop-up window will appear, click Submit Funds to continue or go back to adjust

Complete Your Entrance Counseling/Master Promissory Note
**First-Time Direct Loan Borrower**
If you are accepting the Federal Direct Loan for the first time, it is essential to complete Entrance Counseling and sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN). This is a crucial step in the process.
For detailed guidance on completing the MPN and Entrance Counseling, please visit the Student Loans page.

Financial Aid Disbursement

How do you receive your financial aid?
Accepted grants, scholarships, and loans are usually credited to your student account during the third week of each semester. These funds are applied toward your tuition, fees, and housing charges. You only need to pay the remaining balance that is not covered by your financial aid.

Please take time to review your student account carefully to ensure it accurately reflects the financial aid you have applied for and accepted. If you notice any discrepancies, contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance.

Work-study wages are not credited to your student account. Instead, you will receivea biweekly paycheck after you begin working. For detailed financial aid disbursement requirements, please visit the Disbursement and Refund page.

Next Steps

You may wish to explore these next steps related to managing your financial aid and student account:

Sign up for direct deposit to receive your financial aid credit refund.
See payment deadlines.
Pay your student account balance via Student Portal>>My Finances>>HigherOne CashNet.
Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to maintain your
financial aid.
Have questions? Email financialaid@uwest.edu to schedule a one-on-one financial aid advising appointment with our Financial Aid Office.