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Financial Aid Eligibility

Basic Eligibility Factors

  • You must be formally admitted to Eastern.
  • You must be a United States citizen or be in the U.S. on a permanent visa status.
  • You must be seeking a degree or certification in an eligible program.
  • You must not be in default on any federal education loan, and you must not owe a refund due to overpayment of a previous federal grant or loan at any college or university.
  • You must be registered with the Selective Service if required by law.
  • You must have a valid Social Security Number.
  • You must be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Eligibility Formula

There is no income cutoff or other simple method of determining whether you qualify for federal need-based financial aid. However, you can estimate your eligibility by using the FAFSA4caster. Eligibility for state need-based aid at Eastern Washington University is based on formulas determined by the State of Washington.

Financial need is the difference between the cost of attendance (as defined by the school) and the amount you and your family are expected to contribute (EFC) according to the federal aid formulas established by Congress.

Cost of Attendance - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Financial Need

Your financial need determines the maximum amount of need-based financial aid (grants, Perkins Loan, subsidized Direct Loan) you can receive. Non-need based loans (unsubsidized Direct Loan, PLUS loan) may be used to replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). After your need has been calculated, your awards are determined and may include a combination of scholarships, grants, tuition waivers, work study, and/or loans.


Special Circumstances

Every family situation is unique. Even though the federal processor uses standard formulas, we may consider special circumstances (medical, unemployment, casualty losses, child care, etc.) when we evaluate your eligibility. Please contact us if you encounter special circumstances.


Financial Aid Eligibility for Certificate Programs

Beginning July 1, 2011, students taking a certificate program as a stand-alone are no longer eligible for federal aid.  However, state, institutional, and private aid is still available.  This restriction does not apply to students who are taking certificate programs as a part of larger degree programs or to teacher certification students. 

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