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Frequently asked questions

  1. What is the Husky Promise?
  2. How many students receive the Husky Promise?
  3. Who qualifies for the Husky Promise?
  4. Is the Husky Promise available to incoming freshmen and transfer students? Is it available at all three UW campuses?
  5. How do I apply?
  6. What does the Husky Promise cover?
  7. How do I reapply for the Husky Promise?
  8. Can a student still get financial aid if they don’t qualify for the Husky Promise?
  9. Can students who qualify for the Husky Promise receive more grants or scholarships to help with the rest of their expenses?
  10. Can a student who receives a Pell Grant and a State Need Grant receive a full tuition scholarship on top of these funds?
  11. If a student receives scholarships not awarded by the university, are they still eligible for the Husky Promise?
  12. Do part-time students qualify for the Husky Promise?
  13. Does the Husky Promise cover summer quarter tuition?
  14. Are international students eligible to receive aid under the Husky Promise? Is the Husky Promise available to undocumented Washington state residents?
  15. How is the Husky Promise funded?
  16. How much am I eligible to receive?

1. What is the Husky Promise?

The Husky Promise is central to fulfilling the University of Washington’s public mission to ensure that Washington residents have the chance to receive a world-class education, regardless of their ability to pay tuition and fees. We believe that finances should not be a barrier for talented students to earn a UW degree at any of our three campuses — Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma.

With the Husky Promise, the UW guarantees to cover the full cost of tuition and standard fees for qualified students who otherwise could not afford to attend.

2. How many students receive the Husky Promise?

Over 8,000 UW students at all three campuses — Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma — are covered under the Husky Promise each year. When compared to similar programs at comparable institutions, both the total number of students and the overall percentage of students covered by the Husky Promise have been among the highest in the country.

3. Who qualifies for the Husky Promise?

To be eligible for the Husky Promise, a student must:

Undocumented Washington residents can be eligible for the Husky Promise even if not receiving a Pell Grant.

It is also important to note that the Husky Promise is limited to 12 quarters of eligibility at the UW. Husky Promise funds cannot exceed your calculated financial need as assessed by the UW Office of Student Financial Aid.

4. Is the Husky Promise available to incoming freshmen and transfer students as well as current UW students?

The Husky Promise is available to all UW students at all three UW campuses — Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma — who meet the eligibility requirements.

5. How do I apply?

Students can apply for eligibility for the Husky Promise just as they would with our other aid programs:

  • Complete the FAFSA or WASFA.
  • Submit the FAFSA or WASFA so that it is dated as received by the federal processor by priority filing date for the upcoming academic year. Review the financial aid application process to find priority filing dates and other application information.
  • List the University of Washington (federal code #003798) as one of the colleges to receive the results of your FAFSA or WASFA.
  • No other financial aid application is required for the Husky Promise.

6. What does the Husky Promise cover?

  • The Husky Promise guarantees that full-time tuition and standard fees will be covered by grant or scholarship support.
  • The UW technology fee and student activity fees are covered.
  • Individual course fees, equipment fees and lab fees are not part of Husky Promise, but many students receive enough aid to cover these as well.
  • International study program fees or program costs paid by evening degree, MEDEX or Bothell Business Administration fee-based degree students are not covered. Students in these programs should check with the financial aid office to learn more about aid available to help with their costs.

7. How do I reapply for the Husky Promise?

All UW students must apply for financial aid each year. To remain eligible for the Husky Promise, students must:

8. Can a student still get financial aid if they don’t qualify for the Husky Promise?

In 2022–23, more than half of UW undergraduates received nearly $450 million in financial aid. Students who do not qualify for the Husky Promise may be eligible for grant scholarship, work study and loan funds to help cover education costs. Students must apply for aid by filing the FAFSA or WASFA by our priority filing date to be considered for all available aid programs. Students who miss the priority date may still be considered, but for limited types of aid. Review the financial aid application process to find priority filing dates and other application information.

9. Can students who qualify for the Husky Promise receive more grants or scholarships to help with the rest of their expenses?

Many students who benefit from the Husky Promise program will receive grants or scholarships beyond the cost of tuition and standard fees. Financial aid awards will list any other scholarships or grants the students are eligible to receive. Most students at the UW receive awards from a combination of aid programs — loans and work study are often offered in addition to grants and scholarship funds.

10. Can a student who receives a Pell Grant and a Washington College Grant receive a full tuition scholarship on top of these funds?

The Husky Promise is a guarantee that tuition and fees will be covered with a combination of federal, state and institutional grant or scholarship funds. Students already receiving more grants and scholarships than the cost of tuition and fees will not receive additional funds under the Husky Promise. However, if tuition increases, students are guaranteed to see an increase in grant or scholarship funds to cover tuition and fees.

11. If a student receives scholarships not awarded by the UW, are they still eligible for the Husky Promise?

Funds awarded for the Husky Promise will cover only up to a student’s documented financial need and can be reduced if the student receives private scholarships or other privately funded resources that are counted in the financial aid calculation of need.The calculation of financial need is based on federal formulas and institutional rules. If a student’s financial need is high enough, the student may be able to keep all or part of his or her Husky Promise funding. At the University of Washington, private scholarships are used to meet need and replace loans before we reduce grant or scholarship assistance.

12. Do part-time students qualify for the Husky Promise?

No. Only full-time students qualify for this program. However, depending on how much Pell Grant or Washington College Grant a student is eligible to receive, a pro-rated award for part-time attendance may be enough to cover the cost of tuition.

13. Does the Husky Promise cover summer quarter tuition?

No. Summer quarter is funded differently and is not covered under the Husky Promise. However, we do offer some grant funding for the summer. Although there is no guarantee, students may still receive enough grant funds to cover tuition. Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid webpage regarding financial aid for summer quarter.

14. Are international students eligible to receive aid under the Husky Promise? Is the Husky Promise available to undocumented Washington state residents?

To be eligible for the Husky Promise, students must meet all citizenship requirements of the federal or state aid programs. In general, this means that a student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as well as a resident of Washington state.

For undocumented Washington state residents, financial aid is available. To be eligible, students need to meet one of two standards: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or 1079 Residency Certification. For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid webpage regarding financial aid for DREAMers.

15. How is the Husky Promise funded?

The additional money comes from a variety of sources: federal and state grant programs, UW grant programs and scholarships provided by private donations.

16. How much am I eligible to receive under the Husky Promise?

The Office of Financial Aid offers a Financial Aid Estimator Service that will help you calculate the amount you may be eligible to receive.