Financial Aid

Don’t Navigate Financial Aid Alone

There are different ways to finance your education. We can help you find the solution that is right for you.

Financial Aid

At the West Coast University Financial Aid office, our goal is to help you find the right solution for paying for your education. We will help you navigate the various types of financial aid available, including:

• Scholarships and grants
• Loans
• Military benefits
• Employer tuition reimbursement
• Payment plans

All students are encouraged to apply for aid if unable to meet educational costs on their own.

The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Our Financial Aid office uses this information to determine eligibility and provide you with an estimated financial aid offer. Your application will determine if you qualify for federal aid programs such as grants, student loans, and the federal work-study program.

Ready to get started? Below is some information that may be helpful.

Financial Aid Programs

There are a variety of federal aid programs that are available to eligible students, including federal and state loans, scholarships, and grants. See the full list of available financial aid programs.

WCU has a cohort default rate (CDR) of just 0.5%, based on data from fiscal year 2018. The cohort default rate is the percentage of students who defaulted on their loans within three years of when their first payment was due.

Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements

To be considered eligible for financial aid, a student must:

1. Be able to show a financial need (for most programs)
2. Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
3. Have a valid Social Security number
4. Be enrolled as a regular student in a degree/certificate program that qualifies for financial aid
5. Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation
6. Show proof of a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent
7. Not be in default on any federal student loan nor owe a refund on a federal grant received at any postsecondary college or institution
8. Sign the certification on the FASFA that the federal student aid will only be used for educational purposes

For eligibility criteria for specific federal aid programs and conditionally accepted students, visit the Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements page of our catalog. You can also visit StudentAid.gov/eligibility for more information about eligibility.

How to Apply

Here are a few things you need to know about the process for applying for financial aid:

• The first thing you must do is fill out the FAFSA at fafsa.gov, which becomes available on October 1st of each calendar year. (Please use school code 036983.)
• You must meet all eligibility requirements to qualify for federal student aid.
• A WCU financial aid officer will determine your eligibility for federal aid programs and help you assess which resources are most ideal for your specific circumstances.
• You will get an estimated financial aid offer; however, your offer will not be considered final until all requested documentation has been collected and reviewed.
• If you receive financial aid, you will need to reapply each year by the announced deadlines.

Financial Aid Offer Notifications and College Financing Plans are posted to the WCU secure student portal each academic year.

FAFSA Application Deadlines

If you’re applying for federal student aid, you will be required to submit your FAFSA each aid year, which runs from July 1^st through June 30^th. You can apply as early as October 1^st for the upcoming year and as late as June 30^th.

In addition to student loans, FAFSA is also used to help determine if a student is eligible for state grant programs. For the FAFSA deadlines for state grant programs and other information like verification deadlines, visit the Financial Assistance page of our catalog.

Financial Aid Counseling

Whether you’re a prospective or existing student, we have financial aid officers who are ready to assist you. We recommend you visit our office on campus or give us a call at one of the phone numbers below to arrange a meeting with an advisor:

• Los Angeles: (818) 299-5738
• Orange County: (714) 782-1700 ext. 44001
• Ontario: (909) 467-6100 ext. 45993
• Center for Graduate Studies: (323) 454-5039
• Miami: (786) 501-7070 ext. 48444
• Richardson, TX: (214) 453-4533
• Online (CA): (949) 743-5761
• Online (Non-CA): (214) 453-3943         

Additional Resources

• Scholarships and Grants
• Private (Alternative) Loans
• Net Price Calculator
• Aid Disbursements and Refunds
• Financial Aid Forms

For our third-party servicer contracts and our code of conduct regarding lender relationships and loans, please view the respective pages.