Financial Information

Student Financial Services

Members of the Student Financial Services staff work with parents, students, the federal and state governments, the University, and others to make financial arrangements for students to receive an education at Walla Walla University. Students and parents are encouraged to phone, write, or stop by the office for answers to questions about financing a college education.

FINANCIAL COUNSELORS provide help in financial planning. They are responsible for approving all financial arrangements and are available to discuss problems if parents or students have difficulty meeting the terms of the payment plan the family has chosen.

FINANCIAL AID COUNSELORS assist with the completion of financial aid applications and with the administration of scholarship programs.

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT assists students in looking for work both on and off campus. Employment personnel neither hires students nor assigns them to particular jobs, but works with students individually to assist them in their employment search.

STUDENT LOAN CENTER assists current students with completing student loan applications, promissory notes, and obtaining additional loans to finance educational expenses; also works with borrowers in repayment on Federal Perkins, Nursing, or Institutional Loans.

Expenses

This section of the bulletin is designed to help parents and students anticipate the costs connected with receiving a Walla Walla University education. This list identifies many of the expenses a student may incur. Students may have additional expenses for transportation, personal needs, and other necessities and extras not mentioned here. Parents and students should consider such expenses when making plans to cover the university costs.

In 2019-2020, Walla Walla University awarded over $43 million in financial aid. The average student received over $25,000 with over 90% of the student body awarded financial aid. Be sure to refer to the Financial Bulletin for more specific information about our great scholarship programs.

Estimated Undergraduate Student Budgets

For 2021-2022

Dormitory Student

Non-Dormitory Student

Tuition

Undergraduate Student Tuition

Audit Tuition

Undergraduate students are charged for audited hours above or below bracket tuition. Graduate students are charged for all audited credits. The audit tuition rate is $410 per credit hour for both graduate and undergraduate students. See the Academic Information and Policies section of this bulletin for restrictions on audited classes.

Undergraduate students with a WWU cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and taking at least 12 hours of non-audited classes pay $10 for each audited course instead of the “per quarter hour” charge. This fee is non-refundable after the fourth day of the quarter. Students in their first quarter at WWU are not eligible for this option because they do not have a WWU cumulative GPA.

Participants in the Student Missionary and Task Force programs are registered as full-time students in the Experiential Program, SMTF 100, provided they meet the Student Missions Office's eligibility criteria and receive financial clearance from Student Financial Services. Registration cannot be retroactive. Contact the Student Missions office for more information.

Graduate students who meet one of the following categories are eligible for one-third off the regular graduate tuition rate. Acceptance into the graduate Education Program is required. Students are not eligible for WWU grants and scholarships, but may apply for Federal Direct Students Loans. The balance of the tuition not covered by awarded loans must be paid by the financial clearance deadline (no payment plan).

1. Full-time teachers employed within driving distance of WWU (200 miles). A copy of the school district’s contract is required.
2. Students taking the Special Education Concentration program through August 2021. Students who begin the program before August 2021 are not “Grandfathered” into this tuition rate aft August 2021. 

Walla Walla University provides a dual credit program through which qualified North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC) juniors and seniors can enroll in university courses on their own academy campus and simultaneously receive academic credit on the academy transcript and a Walla Walla University transcript.

The High School Enrichment Tuition Program provides qualified high school seniors the opportunity to enroll in Walla Walla University courses on a space-available basis. Dual credit may be earned for both the high school diploma (at the discretion of the high school) and a university degree. Courses will appear on the university transcript. Any class fees or lab fees are the responsibility of the students.

The Senior Citizen Class Program (non-degree seeking) makes it possible for students who are 65 or more years of age to sit in on a class (with the instructor’s permission).

All tuition paying undergraduate students registered for 6 or more hours are required to pay this fee. Taskforce, Student Missionaries and ACA students will be exempt. Besides covering the cost of housing club dues, internet access while on campus, Excess Student Accident Insurance, printing the first 100 pages in computer labs, access to the library, gym, and pool, and new technology for classrooms, etc., the General Fee includes the ASWWU dues which provides for student publications and membership in the Associated Students of Walla Walla University (ASWWU).

Students who are charged the General Fee for less than three quarters will need to pay an additional fee if they wish to receive the yearbook. Students who are exempt from paying the General Fee may purchase publications for prices set by the ASWWU editors.

All tuition paying graduate students registered for 4 or more hours are required to pay this fee. This fee covers internet access while on campus, new technology for classrooms, graduation fee, etc. Students on the College Place campus also receive access to the library, gym and pool, and printing the first 100 pages in the computer labs.

Since the General Fee for graduate students does not include ASWWU dues, graduate students wanting campus publications such as the Mask and the yearbookk may purchase these publications for prices set by the ASWWU editors.

Insurance

Student Insurance
Walla Walla University believes that insurance is extremely important for all students. All undergraduate and graduate students (including international students) must be covered by a health insurance plan. Students are responsible for obtaining and maintaining their health insurance. Be sure to check your health insurance plan to see if there are in-network providers in your local school area, or consider other health insurance plans. Information regarding local area providers and links to purchase other insurance plans can be found at wallawalla.edu/insurance.

Excess Student Accident Insurance
Walla Walla University covers all registered undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students with excess accident insurance with a $5,000 limit. Students injured while on WWU campus, in campus--owned housing, or participating in off-campus University-sponsored activities (excluding intercollegiate athletic accidents) may file a claim. Visit wallawalla.edu/insurance or contact Risk & Safety Management at (509) 527-2250 for assistance.

Personal Property Insurance
Walla Walla University is not responsible for loss of personal property. Students are encouraged to carry their own insurance for coverage of personal belongings.

Payment Plans

Parents and students may choose one of the following payment plans that is the most convenient for them.

Regular Payment Plan

The quarter's estimated expenses (tuition, required fees, cafeteria meal plan, rent, estimated books and other expenses) plus any previous balance and less any awarded financial aid is paid before the student receives financial clearance for the new term.

Students and/or parents are billed for actual charges as those charges are incurred.

International (other than Canadian) and Extension students are expected to use the Regular Payment Plan.

Finance charges will accrue on a past due balance.

Monthly Payment Plan

The quarter's estimated expenses (tuition, required fees, cafeteria meal plan, rent, estimated books and other expenses) less any awarded financial aid is divided into three equal payments. The first payment plus any previous balance is due before the student receives financial clearance for registration. The second and third payments are due by set dates during the following two months.

Students and/or parents are billed for actual charges as those charges are incurred.

This plan is not available to international students, except for Canadians, or Extension students.

Finance charges will accrue on a past due balance.

The schedule of payments is as follows:

Automatic Payment Plan

Walla Walla University offers two automatic payment plan options. To set up an automatic payment plan, go to wallawalla.edu/payment, sign in, go the Account Menu, then Payment Plans, the Add a New Payment Plan.

1 – Amount Due

The amount due from either the Regular Payment Plan or the Monthly Payment Plan is processed as automatic charges using one of the online payment methods below. These payments are processed around the 25th of each month. At the end of the school year (or sooner if a student finishes midyear), a final charge is applied using the payment method.

Many people choose this option because it reduces the time spent arranging payment.

2 – Recurring Amount

The same amount in processed each month, on the date of your choosing. When you set this up, you specify the date, dollar amount, and how many times you wish the payment to be processed.

Financial Clearance, Deadline, and Classes Dropped

All students must complete financial clearance each quarter. This online process available through myWWU requires students to review contact information (address, phone numbers, email address), choose a meal plan and confirm housing arrangements, make sure all paperwork for financial aid and loans is completed, make any required down payment, and agree to terms and conditions.

The deadline for fall, winter, and spring quarters is the Wednesday before the start of classes. The deadline for summer quarter is the first day of summer session. Students missing this deadline will have their classes dropped. Because other students may be waitlisted for one of these classes, students are not guaranteed reinstatement into their scheduled classes after financial clearance is completed.

Change in Expenses

Because of fluctuation in the economy, the University Board of Trustees reserves the right to adjust costs and policies throughout the school year or to supersede statements published in this bulletin.

Diploma Release

By action of the Board of Trustees of the University, a diploma may not be released until the following criteria are met:

The student's account is paid in full.

The student does not have a short-term loan co-signed by WWU.

The student's Nursing, Perkins, and institutional loans are current.

The student's loan exit interviews are complete. 

Financial Aid

Families unable to meet the full costs of a Walla Walla University education are encouraged to apply for financial aid from the government and the University. All financial aid applications are evaluated based on the government's standard analysis of need. This analysis determines how much each family can afford to pay for a college education according to federal government guidelines.

Financial aid recipients are then awarded aid packages which typically include a combination of scholarships, grants, low-interest loans, and student employment. Unless otherwise noted, all forms of financial assistance are disbursed one-third each quarter (Autumn, Winter, Spring).

The total amount of scholarships, grants, and subsidy (from all sources) which a student receives cannot exceed WWU's packaging budget in any given year. If the total does exceed the packaging budget, the award from WWU will be reduced.

Scholarships are awarded for academic excellence, student leadership, and other accomplishments. They are not awarded based on need and do not have to be repaid. Even though it is recommended that students apply for financial aid, they are not required to do so in order to receive scholarships. Grants are awarded on the basis of financial need and do not have to be repaid. Low-interest loans are an investment in a student's future, allowing the student to attend university with payments and interest typically being deferred until after the student graduates or withdraws from school. Almost all financial aid award packages include a long-term loan. Part-time employment helps students meet the expenses of university life.

In order to receive the maximum financial assistance available, students should plan their finances for the entire academic school year prior to registration and complete their financial aid file by April 30 prior to the school year.

International Students

International Student Deposit

Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States (excluding Canadian students) are required to pay an International Student Deposit with the University before final acceptance can be given and before the I-20 form (needed to secure the United States Student Visa) can be issued. To determine ability to meet educational costs, the University requires applicants to submit a declaration of finances before final acceptance is given.

The International Student Deposit will be $3,000 for Autumn 2021.

Interest

Interest on the deposits use the One-Year Constant Maturity Rate.

Insurance

Walla Walla University requires all international undergraduate and graduate students including Canadians to purchase health insurance while in attendance at the University.

Billing

International students, except Canadian students, will be expected to use the Regular Payment Plan described in this bulletin.

Employment

According to Immigration and Naturalization Services regulations, international students attending WWU while on student visas are only permitted to work on campus and are limited to a maximum of 20 hours of work per week during periods of enrollment. Spouses and children who are not students may not accept employment under any circumstances.

Financial Aid

International students on student visas do not qualify for the majority of loans and grants described in the Financial Bulletin. These students are eligible to receive scholarships, such as Achievement, Out of Area, Leadership, National Merit, General Studies Honors, Transfer Scholarship, Continuing Student Scholarship, Church Match Grant, if they qualify. Canadian students can find information about other resources at wallawalla.edu/Canada-aid.