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The First-Year Checklist outlines to-do items related to topics here, such as:

  • Set up direct deposit with Student Fiscal Services
  • Create a UW Handshake account
  • Build a budget
  • Make a deposit to your Husky Card account

Financial resources

Emergency Aid

Emergency aid is available for the unpredictable or unexpected costs that cause significant stress and impact academic success and personal well-being. uw.edu/emergencyaid

Financial Aid Food Security Grant

Through the Office of Student Financial Aid, students can apply for a $100 grant that goes directly on their Husky Card and can be used to purchase food at any on-campus vendor. fyp.uw.edu/hggetfood

Financial Aid Office

Talk to a financial aid counselor to see if adjustments can be made to your financial aid and find other options for help. 206-543-6101 • finaid.uw.edu

Food Pantry

Provides students who experience food insecurity access to shelf-stable food, fresh produce and ready-to-eat items at no cost — just bring your Husky ID.  uw.edu/anyhungryhusky

Do you need a job?

On-campus hiring occurs year-round, and there are a few central websites where on-campus jobs are listed. Handshake is a great platform to find on-campus opportunities. It connects students with employers, both domestic and international, for your next incredible internship or employment opportunity. Work-study is a great way to help pay for your education while gaining invaluable experience by working part-time.

Explore the websites below and start your search early.

Scholarships

UW students are competitive for scholarships supporting a wide range of pursuits. Take advantage of the following resources to support your scholarship search:

  • Office of Student Financial Aid Scholarship Information: Provides information and resources for need and merit based scholarships. fyp.uw.edu/hgscholarship
  • Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards: Supports students in identifying and applying competitively for scholarships that advance their goals. expd.uw.edu/scholarships
  • Mary Gates Endowment for Students: Scholarships to help students become independent learners and community leaders. expd.uw.edu/mge
  • Reserve Officer Training Corps: Merit-based scholarships that cover full tuition, a book allowance and a monthly stipend. afrotc.uw.edu

Send private scholarship checks to this address. Please include your name and ID number.

University of Washington Scholarships
PO Box 24967
Seattle, WA 98124

When is tuition due?

On the 3rd Friday of the quarter.

  • Autumn 2025: Oct 10
  • Winter 2026: Jan 23
  • Spring 2026: Apr 17

Payments must be received by Student Fiscal Services no later than the tuition due date. Mark all the important add/drop dates on your calendar. fyp.uw.edu/hgdates

Please note: Financial aid generally begins disbursing one week prior to the first day of the quarter.

Commonly asked questions about financial aid

Should I apply for financial aid?

Yes, if you think you need help paying for college, we strongly encourage you to apply. There is no “income cutoff” or other simple method of determining whether you will qualify for need-based financial aid. In general terms, “financial need” is defined as the difference between what it costs you to attend school and what you and your family can afford to pay.

What are the various types of financial aid?

There are three main types of financial aid, based on your eligibility: grants/scholarships, which are considered “gift aid” and do not have to be repaid; work study, which allows you to work part-time on or off campus; and loans, which you borrow now and repay after graduating or dropping below half-time enrollment.

What costs can I use financial aid for during my enrollment at the UW?

You can use financial aid to cover expenses that are related to your education, such as tuition and fees, books/supplies, living expenses (on and off campus), transportation and other personal expenses you may incur.

How much will I need to borrow?

That depends on how long it takes to complete your degree, your eligibility for other aid besides loans and your personal spending habits. In 2020–21, 34% of UW undergraduates had debt at graduation. These students graduated with an average cumulative loan debt of $20,793. This is below the national average of $30,000 borrowed at public schools.

Why do I need loans? Can’t I just use other forms of aid?

Of course, loans should be your last resort for paying for school. However, we do not have enough funds to award grants to all of you, so we end up awarding some loans to help you meet your financial need. We encourage students to fully utilize grants, scholarships and employment wages before considering loans. However, if you do need to fill a financial gap, you can decide how much or how little you want to borrow in loans. You can always repay your loans early, too, without penalty.

Who can I talk to about my financial aid options?

There are multiple ways you can connect with a Student Financial Aid Counselor: Call 206-543-6101 during our phone service hours, email us at osfa@uw.edu, or visit finaid.uw.edu.

Reminder: Next year’s priority FAFSA/WASFA deadline is January 15, 2026.


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