Financial Aid for Undergraduates

Affording a UWest Education

The cost of attending college is at an all-time high. But there are also more opportunities for scholarships and aid than ever before. UWest makes it a priority to keep our tuition prices low, 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 — so, let’s get started!

You

1. Earn good grades so you can qualify for scholarships.
2. Research and apply for scholarships offered by your university and private resources using scholarship search engines such as fastweb.com or College Scholarships.org.
3. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available October 1. If you are a California resident, your FAFSA is also your application for Cal Grant. You must file your FAFSA by March 2 Cal Grant deadline.
4. After your FAFSA is processed, review the Student Aid Report to learn your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for your education. The EFC is what the federal government expects your family/support system to contribute toward your college expenses. It’s used to determine how much financial aid a student is eligible to receive for any college.
5. Get part-time work to save for college

UWest

1. Reviews your FAFSA and Cal Grant (California residents only) data and academic information.
2. Creates the best possible financial aid award package for you (after you have been admitted) that may include:
   1. Scholarships (based on your academic achievements and/or financial need)
   2. Federal and state grants
   3. Federal student loans
   4. Federal Work-Study
3. Commits to providing scholarship opportunities to undergraduate students like you to afford a UWest education (as we have been doing since 2006).

How Much Will It Cost to Attend UWest?

(Costs based on the 2024–2025 academic year. UWest does not provide any meal plans for students. The estimated annual cost of food is $7,560 if living on campus.)

Here are ways you can reduce your UWest tuition cost:

UWest offers merit scholarships based on academic achievement that can lower your costs.

Select first-year and transfer students can earn $6,000/year in renewable merit scholarships. You can renew these scholarships every year as long as you are in good academic standing.

Select dreamer students can earn $10,000/year in renewable scholarships.

First-year students can apply for additional $2,000/year in renewable merit scholarship, sponsored by AJ Wang Scholarship Foundation, a private scholarship foundation in partnership with UWest.

You may also qualify for renewable federal and state grants.

Federal need-based aid includes the Pell Grant, which helps students with up to $7,395/year in 2024-25. If you are a California resident, you may qualify for up to $9,358/year in Cal Grant in 2024-25.

Private donor scholarships, student loans, and work-study can help make the difference.

Depending on your financial situation, you may qualify for a range of private donor scholarships, low-interest student loans, and on-campus work-study jobs (which also provide great work experience).

Your actual cost will be less than you expect for an exceptional education.

Fact: 80% of UWest students received some form of financial aid.

How do I pay for the rest?

• Outside scholarships
• Family/support system & friends
• Employment
• Educational savings plans
• Private student loan

The bottom line is different for every student. While the direct costs from UWest remain the same, the contributions from you and your family/support system will vary. Check out our Net Price Calculator » to get an estimate of financial aid specifically for you.

 AJ Wang Scholarship

June 1 – Incoming Domestic HS Graduates

Golden Benefactor Awards

Fall, first Monday following the last day of the previous Spring semester

Spring, first Monday following the last day of the previous Fall semester

IBEF Scholarship / Fellowship / Research Grant

November 15 – Spring
May 1 – Fall