Cougar Commitment Program

1.  How does the Cougar Commitment Program work?

Your tuition will be covered first by your federal and state grants—like the Pell Grant or State Need Grant. If your eligibility in these programs does not cover the full cost of your tuition and mandatory fees (i.e., health, recreation center, transit, etc) Washington State University will make up the difference with institutional grants or tuition waivers. Funds awarded for the Cougar Commitment will only cover up to your financial need and will be reduced if you receive other university or private scholarships and/or other privately funded resources.

The Cougar Commitment is limited to tuition only and mandatory fees; however, there are additional grant and scholarship funds available to help with the other costs of education.

If you do not qualify for the Cougar Commitment, you may still receive grants and other types of financial aid. For more details, please visit www.finaid.wsu.edu.  For information on scholarships, visit www.finaid.wsu.edu/scholar.

2.  What is the Cougar Commitment?

We believe that finances should not be a barrier to obtaining an education and students from all economic backgrounds should have the opportunity to attend WSU. With the Cougar Commitment Program, WSU commits to covering the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for students who otherwise could not afford to attend.

3.  Who qualifies for the Cougar Commitment?

To be eligible for the Cougar Commitment, you must:

• Apply for admission as an entering freshmen or transfer student by January 31, 2007.
• Be a Washington State resident student pursuing your first bachelor’s degree.
• Be eligible to receive the Pell Grant or the State Need Grant Program
• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the following academic year by WSU’s priority filing date of March 1st.
• Enroll full-time (at least 12 semester credit hours).

4.  When does the Cougar Commitment begin?

The first awards begin academic year 2007-08 for new freshmen and transfer students.

5.  Is the Cougar Commitment available at all WSU campuses?

Yes, the award will be available to students attending in Vancouver , Spokane , and Tri-Cities, as well as, students who are enrolled in Distance Degree Programs.

6.  Is the Cougar Commitment available to incoming freshmen and transfer students as well as current WSU students?

This commitment is for only new incoming freshmen and transfer students beginning fall 2007.  Currently enrolled students are not eligible, however, will qualify for other financial assistance.  Each year, WSU provides more than $156 million in aid to over 13,000 undergraduates. If you don’t qualify for the Cougar Commitment, we still have grant, scholarships, work-study, and loan funds that you may be offered to help you cover your costs.  Make sure to apply for scholarships by January 31^st and the FAFSA by our priority date of March 1st so we can consider you for all aid programs. If you miss the priority date, you will still be considered for aid based on available funding.

7.  What must I do to be considered for the Cougar Commitment?

• Apply for admission as an entering freshmen or transfer student by January 31, 2007.
• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the following academic year by WSU’s priority filing date of March 1st.  

8.  What does the Cougar Commitment cover?

• The Cougar Commitment guarantees that full-time tuition and mandatory fees will be covered.
• Individual course fees, equipment fees, and lab fees are not included in the Cougar Commitment; however, other aid is available to assist with these costs.  

9.  What are the requirements for renewal?

You must apply for financial aid each year. To remain eligible for the Cougar Commitment:

• Apply by the priority filing date each year;
• Meet eligibility criteria and receive the Pell Grant or State Need Grant;
• Enroll full-time (at least 12 credits per semester);
• Continue to make satisfactory academic progress.

10.  I qualify for the Cougar Commitment. Can I receive more grants or scholarships to help with the rest of my expenses?

Yes, you may be eligible to receive other aid (grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study) beyond the cost of tuition and fees.

11.  I receive scholarships not awarded by WSU. Am I still eligible for the Cougar Commitment?

Funds awarded for the Cougar Commitment will cover only up to your calculated financial need and can be reduced if you receive private scholarships or other privately funded resources that are counted in the financial aid calculation of need. At Washington State University private scholarships are used to meet remaining need and replace loans before we reduce grant or scholarship assistance.

12.  I plan to attend WSU as a part-time student. Do I qualify for the Cougar Commitment?

No. Only full-time students qualify for this program. However, you may still qualify for other financial aid (i.e., Pell Grant or the State Need Grant) which may be enough to cover the cost of tuition, fees and other costs.

13.  Does the Cougar Commitment cover summer tuition, too?

No. Summer semester is funded differently and is not covered under the Cougar Commitment. Funding is often limited to remaining loan eligibility, but to ensure you are considered for any available grant assistance, apply for summer aid by March 1^st.

14.  Can I still receive the Cougar Commitment if I’m not a U.S. citizen?

To be eligible for the Cougar Commitment, you must meet all citizenship requirements of the federal and state aid programs. In general, this means you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. You must also be a resident of Washington State .

15.  How is the Cougar Commitment being funded?

The additional money will come from a variety of sources including federal, state, institutional aid programs and private donations.