Financial Aid Overview

Financial aid that’s widely available

WGU Offers Federal Financial Aid

WGU is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer federal financial aid—one of the first online universities to receive this recognition. Because of our more affordable tuition, WGU students are able to graduate without large school loans to repay.

You Can Use Financial Aid for:

Federal financial aid will cover most if not all of your direct education expenses, including:

• Tuition and Fees
• Textbooks
• Technology
• Other educational expenses

Pell Grants for Those with Financial Need

Pell Grants are needs-based grants—meaning you do not have to pay them back—that are available only to students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. They are available to those who have the most need, with need calculated based upon income, number of dependents, and other factors that are reported on the FAFSA.

Student Loans are Available to Most Students

WGU students may qualify for student loans:

• Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized) — These loans are based upon demonstrating financial need. The interest is paid by the federal government while you are enrolled in school at least half time or during deferment periods.
• Federal Direct Loans (Unsubsidized) — These loans are not based upon financial need, and therefore are available to most WGU students. You are responsible for the interest from the day you borrow the money until you pay off the loan.

Annual loan limits vary based on your program and grade level. Click here for information about loan limits.

Interest Rate for Loans:

The interest rate you are charged for both Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans is variable and adjusted once a year, on July 1.

Direct Subsidized Loans for Undergraduate Students:

• Disbursed 07/01/2011 to 06/30/2012 — 3.4%
• Disbursed 07/01/2012 to 06/30/2013 — 3.4%

Unsubsidized loans for graduate students first disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 — 6.8%.

Direct PLUS loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 is 7.9%.

Note: You will be responsible for repaying your loans even if you withdraw from WGU. Click here to learn more about your financial obligations.

Other Federal Grant Programs

WGU offers grant programs available through the U.S. Department of Education:

• TEACH Grant: Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant Program that provides grants of up to $4,000 per year. Grant recipients are required to teach in a high-need field at a low income school for four years within eight years of graduation. This grant is available for students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree and who enroll in an eligible undergraduate education program. In addition, some select graduate programs are eligible. See list of eligible programs and learn more about this grant.

State Grants Available for WGU Students

In several states, WGU is an eligible education provider for local and state grant programs. Please be advised that WGU cannot guarantee funding from the states listed below. Please contact your local state grant agency for directions and explanations of eligibility for funds to attend WGU.

See below for our current list of states in which WGU may be eligible for grant program funding:

State grant programs typically have strict application deadlines for funding eligibility. In many cases, completion of the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step for state grant applications.

Note: WGU would like to offer additional state grants. Contact the WGU Financial Aid Department at finaid@wgu.edu to let us know if you might qualify for grants in your state.

More about Financial Aid:

Loan limits and additional financial aid information
Your financial obligations and FAQ
Net Price Calculator
WGU Financial Aid Code of Conduct (PDF)
WGU Consumer Information Guide

Answers to your questions
Click a question, see the answer below.

• How are financial aid funds made available?
• Who can answer my financial aid questions?

How are financial aid funds made available?

Financial aid funds are available to students based on six-month payment periods. You will receive an award letter from WGU’s financial aid department that includes estimated costs and aid for two payment periods. One-half of the aid is available for each six-month payment period.

Your financial aid cannot be used to pay your application fee.

Note: Full-time enrollment is required for all financial aid programs. Failure to progress at the full-time rate and in accordance with your Degree Plan may result in loss of eligibility for additional aid and for loan deferment.

Who can answer my financial aid questions?

Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can answer most of your basic financial aid questions. The WGU Financial Aid Office can answer more specific questions about your personal situation once you have completed the WGU Financial Aid Application. The Financial Aid Office can be reached at:

finaid@wgu.edu
1-877-435-7948 ext. 3104