Financial aid •
Western Oregon University financial aid: a complete guide
Learn more about the financial aid, including loans, grants, and scholarship programs, available to students at Western Oregon University.
Western Oregon University (WOU) is a public university located in Monmouth, Oregon. It's Oregon’s oldest public university.
WOU offers 37 majors and 30 different concentrations within those majors for undergraduate students, across its College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts.
If you're interested in applying to Western Oregon University but aren't sure how you'll pay for it, we've got you covered.
Let's break it all down.
A snapshot look at Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University was founded in 1856 as Monmouth University. It has mostly in-state students, with almost 80% of students hailing from Oregon.
Of its roughly 4,500 students, about 4,050 are undergraduates. Some of the most popular programs at WOU include Business, Psychology, Education, Criminal Justice, and Exercise Science.
In recent years, WOU has won multiple awards, including one for graduating a large portion of its low-income and Pell Grant receiving students, one for a commitment to diversity, and one for its new dormitory Ackerman Residence Hall— one of the most eco-friendly dorms in the country!
Ranking: #68 Regional Universities West
Size: 5,185 Students
Demographics: 62% female, 38% male
Tuition: $15,496
Acceptance rate: 84%
Average GPA of accepted student: 3.2
Key dates and deadlines (2021)
Application: November 15
Financial aid deadlines: March 15
A look at scholarships offered by Western Oregon University
One of the best ways to pay for an education at Western Oregon University is through scholarships. Scholarships are money you don’t have to pay back after you graduate, and there are hundreds of different scholarships available for WOU students.
For example, the English Writing Scholarship is available to students majoring in English Writing at WOU. The Leah Trutna Memorial Scholarship is available to female cross-country runners at WOU with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
WOU's financial aid office has a list of all scholarships available to students.
Some scholarships from WOU don’t make you meet any specific requirements—all you have to do is apply.
On top of the scholarship programs available from WOU, there are also many private scholarship opportunities that can help you pay tuition.
For more on which scholarships you can apply for and how Mos can help, check out our financial aid tips and tricks.
Student loans
Student loans are another way to invest in your education and your future. Just keep in mind that you have to pay back any money you borrow, with interest.
WOU has a web page that outlines how federal student loans work, and some key statistics about students who take out loans for WOU.
The good news for prospective students is that WOU students default on their loans at a much lower rate than the general population.
One of the most common types of loans that students can use to pay for college is the Federal Direct Loan. These loans come directly from the US government and can be subsidized or unsubsidized.
If the loan is subsidized, it won't begin accruing interest until you leave school and the grace period ends. It also doesn’t accrue interest during periods of deferment.
For students who need additional funding beyond the federal loans they receive, there are private student loans.
However, private student loans tend to have higher interest rates than federal loans. They also don’t have the same benefits and protections as federal loans.
For more on finding the right student loan for you, check out Mos.com or download the Mos app.
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the most important parts of your college financial aid experience.
When you fill out the FAFSA, you and your parents will need to provide some financial information. Based on the information you provide, the government will determine your expected family contribution (EFC) toward the cost of your education.
This EFC will play a role in determining how much financial aid you receive, such as federal student loans or federal grant aid like the Pell Grant.
If you’re planning to go to WOU, it’s important to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. The state of Oregon offers Oregon Opportunity Grants starting October 1 and continues awarding them until the money runs out.
If you wait too long, the state might run out of money.
The Oregon Opportunity Grant is available to any undergraduate student from Oregon who has financial need. It can provide up to $3,612 per year.
The deadline to submit your FAFSA is June 30 after the academic year ends.
For more on applying for FAFSA, including important dates and how to make sure your application is successful, visit mos.com.
Western Oregon University financial aid FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about financial aid at Western Oregon University:
What is Western Oregon University’s cost of attendance?
Western Oregon University has three costs of attendance—one for in-state students, one for out-of-state students, and one for students who attend under the Western Undergraduate Exchange program.
For in-state students, the cost of attendance is estimated between $18,151–$24,732, depending on whether you live on-campus, off-campus, or with your parents. Of these amounts, $8,460 is tuition. The remainder includes various living expenses such as housing and books.
For out-of-state students, the cost of attendance ranges from $37,590–$44,172. Tuition makes up $27,900 of the overall cost.
Students attending through the Western Undergraduate Exchange program will pay between $22,381–$28,962. Tuition makes up $12,690 of this.
How does Western Oregon University disburse aid?
Western Oregon University disburses financial aid by applying it directly to your student bill. This means that it goes toward paying tuition, fees, and other related costs.
If you've received more aid than the amount that WOU has billed you for, the school’s financial aid office can disburse the remaining money directly to you.
You can then use those funds to pay for education-related expenses. You can sign up for a direct deposit to get the money sent directly to your bank account.
Do private scholarships affect financial aid from Western Oregon University?
WOU requires that all students inform the financial aid office of any private financial aid they receive, including scholarships. There are restrictions on the amount of financial aid that a student can receive.
For example, you may not receive financial aid totaling more than the school’s cost of attendance. Some aid is also limited to how much financial need you have.
If you receive outside aid that makes what you’re receiving overall exceed the cost of attendance, WOU may reduce your aid to bring your total within the limit.
Universities like Western Oregon University that you might be interested in
If you want to go to school in Oregon but don’t think Western Oregon University is right for you, consider these alternatives:
Oregon State University
Oregon State University (OSU) is a public university located in Corvallis, Oregon. OSU is split into 12 colleges, including the College of Agricultural Science, College of Engineering, and College of Forestry.
Research plays a major role in academics at OSU, and the school operates a huge number of labs conducting research in sustainability, agriculture, and aerospace.
University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a public research school located in Eugene, Oregon, and has more than 300 degree programs.
One unique aspect of the University of Oregon is its quarter system. Unlike most schools which operate on semesters, the school has four quarters, each 10 weeks long: 9 for classes and 1 for finals.
Oregon Institute of Technology
Oregon Institute of Technology is a public polytechnic school that focuses on applied sciences such as engineering. It offers 32 different degree programs.
What sets Oregon Institute of Technology apart from many other schools is its co-op program.
Students who attend the school go on co-op at least once during their educational career. During their co-op, students spend 6 months working a full-time job in their area of interest.
Conclusion
Western Oregon University is a relatively inexpensive option for Oregon residents who want to pursue their higher education in-state
Think about whether Western Oregon University is right for you, and if it is, do your best to qualify for available scholarships and financial aid programs.
If you’re looking for the best way to pay for school, Mos can help.
With Mos, you can get help negotiating for more financial aid, apply for hundreds of scholarships and grants, and work with a real-human for personalized help.
To get started, check out Mos.com or download the app today.
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