How does the University of Washington need-based aid process work for incoming undergraduates?

For incoming first-year undergraduates, the University of Washington primarily uses the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based financial aid. UW does not require the CSS Profile for most domestic undergraduate applicants, so the main application for federal, state, and many university need-based funds is the FAFSA. If a student is not eligible to file the FAFSA, UW may use the Washington Application for State Financial Aid, known as WASFA, for certain students seeking state aid.

UW’s Office of Student Financial Aid reviews the information you submit, including your family’s income and assets, household size, and number of family members in college, to calculate financial need. Your financial need is generally the difference between UW’s estimated cost of attendance and your Student Aid Index from the FAFSA. Based on that, UW puts together an aid offer that can include grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.

UW may also ask for additional documents after you apply, such as tax records, verification forms, or proof of unusual financial circumstances, if your file is selected for review.

If you are a Washington resident, state grant programs can be especially important, and UW participates in those programs when students qualify. For most students, it starts with the FAFSA, then any requested follow-up documents, and finally UW sends a financial aid offer after admission and file review.