The UWS Board of Trustees approves tuition rates and fees each spring. Tuition rates and fees are available to students prior to the beginning of the summer term.
Tuition and Fee Assessment
Tuition and fees are assessed for all registered students on the first day of each term of enrollment in accordance with the applicable program tuition and fee schedules.
Tuition and Fee Statements and Balances
Students may access their student account activity and make payments through the Student Gateway. Balances are updated in real time as transactions are posted to the student account.
Tuition and Fee Payment
Students are personally responsible for meeting their financial obligations to University of Western States. Payment of tuition and fees is due on the first day of the term. A 10 business-day grace period is granted to make satisfactory payment arrangements with the student accounts department. Prior to matriculation and at recurring intervals during attendance at the university, students are required to acknowledge their personal responsibility for the tuition, fees and other university charges assessed or incurred by signing a statement of financial responsibility. A statement of financial responsibility is required for each program in which the student is enrolled. This statement will remain in effect for the duration of attendance at the university. Refer to Policy 3025 Student Financial Responsibility.
Tuition and Fee Refunds
After the drop period, students cancelling enrollment from the university during the term may be eligible for a prorated refund of certain tuition and fees. Enrollment cancellation or deferral may result from withdrawal or dismissal. When enrollment is cancelled during the first 60 percent of the term, the university will apply refunds to student accounts, calculated on a pro rata basis.
The student is responsible for any unpaid tuition and fee charges due to the university, and where applicable, federal regulations determine the portion of federal student aid funds that must be returned to the program in cases of withdrawal. Refer to Policy 3021 Tuition and Fee Refunds.
Tuition and Fees - Course Audit
Under special circumstances, the college dean may authorize a student to audit a course. In such cases, tuition is charged at one-half the regular rate plus any other applicable fees. Students do not receive academic credit and the course does not count toward graduation. Auditing a course does not count in the enrollment hours for the purpose of receiving financial aid. Refer to Policy 1222 Course Audit.
Tuition Payment Plan
Payment plans offer enrolled students the option of paying for their education costs in installments, not to exceed 90 days after the term start. When regularly scheduled payments are received timely, late payment fees are not assessed to the student’s account. If the balance for the semester is not paid in full within the 90 days, the payment plan will be cancelled and the student will not be eligible for a payment plan in future semesters. In the event of a late or missed payment, a late payment fee will be assessed monthly for as long as the payment plan remains in arrears. For more information, and to establish a payment plan, contact [email protected].
Residual Payments
If financial aid is received that exceeds tuition, fees and other student account charges, a residual payment in the form of check or Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) will be issued to the student automatically. An authorization form to establish direct deposit of funds is available within the Student Gateway. To ensure timely delivery of student account credit balances via direct deposit, the student should submit the direct deposit form at least two weeks before the term start. To request that a credit balance remain on the student account to pay for future educational charges or to opt-out of financial aid paying for non-institutional charges, contact [email protected].
Past-Due Accounts
Any balance due to the university after the 10th day of the term constitutes a past-due debt. Payment of past-due debts, including, but not limited to late fees, must be made prior to future enrollment. Any past-due debt to the university is grounds for termination of campus privileges regularly granted to students or alumni. Late fees will be assessed monthly until the debt is paid off.
Separated students with an account balance outstanding for more than 90 days without payment may be referred to outside collection and may be reported to a credit reporting agency. The student is responsible for all outstanding charges to the university as well as all collection agency and related fees incurred to collect the delinquent account. If the account has been assigned to a collection agency, UWS cannot accept payments on the account. Therefore, students wishing to make payment on outstanding debts to UWS will need to contact the agency responsible for collection of the debt directly. Payment in full must be made to the collection agency and registration or release of diploma will be restricted until UWS receives the funds in full from the collection agency.
Withdrawal (Temporary or Permanent)
Policy 1239 Continuous Enrollment, Withdrawal, Dismissal, and Expulsion describes the processes for requesting an approved temporary withdrawal and for permanent withdrawal from the university. When a student wishes to withdraw from UWS, it is the student’s responsibility to make a request through the Withdrawal Request page or by contacting their student success advisor at [email protected] to discuss their options for withdrawal and return to their program. Students may also contact the Registrar’s Office at [email protected] to inform the university of their withdrawal.
Policy 3805 Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) applies to any student who officially withdraws, unofficially withdraws, fails to return from a leave of absence, or is dismissed from enrollment at UWS. A student who stops attending during a term and does not submit the appropriate documentation to withdraw is considered unofficially withdrawn. The amount of Title IV (federal) aid earned is based on the amount of time a student spent in academic attendance and the total aid received; it has no relationship to student’s incurred institutional charges. Because these requirements deal only with Title IV, Federal Financial Aid funds, the order of return of unearned funds does not include funds from sources other than the Title IV, HEA programs. Any unearned aid is returned and any remaining balance is subject to Policy 3025 Student Financial Responsibility and Policy 3021 Tuition and Fee Refunds, and students are responsible for any financial obligations owed to the university resulting from the return of federal financial aid funds.
The student accounts office will bill the student for any remaining balance. Questions about refunds should be directed to the student accounts office for clarification. Refer to Policy 3021 Tuition and Fee Refunds.
UWS is required to notify the appropriate providence when a Canadian aid recipient withdraws or ceases to be a full-time student.
Financial Aid
University of Western States offers, for those who qualify, federal financial aid.
Eligibility for Federal Financial Aid
To qualify for U.S. financial aid, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
- Complete a FAFSA each academic year and provide all requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid.
- Be matriculated in a degree or certificate seeking program that is eligible for federal aid.
- Be enrolled in a program at least half-time for federal loans. Only courses that are required to obtain a student degree or certificate will be taken into consideration to determining their enrollment status for financial aid purposes.
- Not owe a refund to any federal student grant program, nor be in default on any federal student loan.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) under Policy 1218 Academic Standing and Satisfactory Academic Progress.
How to Apply
Eligible students may apply for financial aid by completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available on the FAFSA website. If a paper application is necessary, contact the Office of Financial Aid. The FAFSA is available in October of each year for the upcoming school year (summer through spring). When completing the FAFSA, enter UWS’s Federal School Code: 012309.
As part of the application review and verification process, students may be asked to submit a copy of their completed federal income tax transcript, W-2s, verification worksheets or other documents to the Office of Financial Aid. The Office of Financial Aid will notify admitted students if further information is needed after the FAFSA is filed.
Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance (COA) is the estimated total cost of the student’s program of study. It includes indirect and direct costs associated with enrollment. Direct costs are the applicable tuition and fees, and indirect costs are other expenses not charged by the university but which a typical student may incur while attending school including, but not limited to books and supplies, housing and meals, transportation, and other miscellaneous personal expenses.
The COA determines the maximum amount the student can receive in all financial aid. Current COA figures for the chiropractic, naturopathic and online programs are available on the UWS website. Students are encouraged to plan and budget all resources carefully to minimize indebtedness.
Award Process
New students are reviewed for financial aid eligibility once the student submits a FAFSA. The student must add the School Code of 012309 to ensure receipt of the processed FAFSA. The student should continue to complete a FAFSA every July 1 to ensure that future aid is offered without interruption. Once the processed FAFSA has been received the student should review awards available via Student Gateway and students will receive an email notifying them when the award is available for viewing. Students should review all the information included in the Student Gateway to ensure timely delivery of funding each term. Students are required to actively accept or decline some types of aid.
Eligibility for financial aid is an on-going evaluation process. In some cases, the student may have a balance after aid is offered to the student. Students may need to complete a request for a Payment Plan if the student has a balance after aid is offered. The student should refer to the section on Tuition and Fees on how an unpaid balance will affect future enrollment.
Federal- and State-Funded Financial Aid Programs
Federal- and state-funded financial aid eligibility is dependent upon factors specific to an individual applicant, primarily by academic program of study and borrowing history. Students are considered for all award types available to them. Information on available aid is listed by academic program in this catalog and on the UWS website.
Scholarships for New Students
A variety of scholarship opportunities are available to new students. Current opportunities are listed on the UWS website. Scholarships awarded to eligible students enrolled at less than full-time status may be prorated. In the event of enrollment cancellation in any term where institutional aid is received, the amount will be prorated in accordance with Policy 3021 Tuition and Fee Refunds.
Scholarships will be awarded to recipients chosen by a selection committee. Scholarship amounts will be determined based on several factors, including available funds, and the strength and number of applications received each award cycle. Current students will be notified of the different scholarship opportunities by email or in the Weekly Vitals e-newsletter.
Scholarships from External Sources
- Some private organizations offer scholarships. Each organization will have its own deadlines, criteria and application processes.
- Certain providers offer scholarship opportunities for UWS students. The Office of Financial Aid sends notices to all current students of available scholarships and deadlines.
Federal Work-Study
UWS participates in the federal work-study program and provides other on-campus employment opportunities for international students. Federal work-study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for educational expenses. Work-study positions are available throughout campus and generally range from two to eight hours per week. Open positions will be available via the Student Gateway.
Veterans Benefits
Students using veterans benefits to pay for their tuition and fees should always monitor their student account to ensure they are aware of any fees they must pay out of pocket. Late fees may be imposed on student accounts with outstanding balances when the balances result from tuition and fees not approved to be paid by an approved VA fund source. Note that Veteran Benefits will not pay some direct fees, such as parking passes, student’s portion of tuition if eligible for less than 100%, equipment fees, library and parking fines.
Federal Direct Loans (alternatively knows as Unsubsidized Stafford Loans)
- Submission of all required documents if required.
- The student is not in default and does not owe an overpayment on a federal grant or loan.
- The student’s enrollment is at least half-time.
- Student must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
- In combination with other aid, loans do not exceed the student’s financial need or cost of attendance (COA).
- Grace period: Students have six months after graduation or leaving school before repayment begins.
- Fees: approximately 1% (deducted from each loan disbursement). Information on interest rates is available online or from the Office of Financial Aid. Interest accrues on loans from the time of disbursement.
Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans
- Annual limit: Cost of attendance minus other financial assistance, such as loans and scholarships.
- Credit check required; endorser (co-signer) may be required in some cases.
- The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is the lender and will assign a servicer.
- Submit a Grad PLUS Request by visiting studentaid.gov.
- Submission of all required documents.
- Correction Flags, Verification, and any other items determined by the Department of Education are resolved.
- The student is not in default and does not owe an overpayment on a federal grant or loan.
- The student’s enrollment is at least half-time.
- Student must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
- Not have a judgment lien for a federal debt.
- In combination with other aid, loans do not exceed the student’s financial need or cost of attendance (COA).
- Information on interest rates is available online or from the Office of Financial Aid. Interest accrues on loans from the time of disbursement.
Alternative Loans (Non-Federal Loans Borrowed Through Private Lenders)
Admitted students in all programs may be eligible for non-federal sources of funding. Non-federal loans borrowed through private lenders:
- Can be borrowed to cover the entire cost of attendance, minus any other financial assistance.
- Require a credit check; co-signer may be required in some cases.
- May have differing interest rates and less favorable repayment terms than government-funded student loan programs.
- Displace federal student aid. It is recommended that the student exhaust federal student loan options in lieu of, or prior to, borrowing alternative loans.
Students are responsible for meeting any eligibility requirements of private loan with any bank or credit union.
Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility
Federal regulations require all students receiving federal student aid to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward a degree or certificate to retain eligibility for financial aid. Failure to maintain SAP, including minimum cumulative GPA and adequate progress toward degree completion, will result in disqualification from federal student aid programs at UWS. Students with mitigating circumstances may appeal for their financial aid eligibility. Refer to Policy 1218 Academic Standing and Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Federal Loans and Exit Counseling
A student must complete Student Loan Exit Counseling. A student is required to complete exit counseling when they leave school or drop below half-time enrollment. The purpose of exit counseling is to ensure the student understands the student loan obligations and is prepared for repayment.
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