- Admissions & Aid
- Financial Aid
- Affordability @ WCU
Affordability at WCU
48%
of WCU 2022-23 undergrads completed
their degree with $0 debt from WCU.
Included in the cost:
*Cost per year, including Fall and Spring semesters
**Unlimited Basic Meal Plan includes 3 meals a day!
Be sure to research what other colleges include or exclude in their published costs! Visit tuition.wcu.edu for more information and up-to-date cost.
Higher education doesn't
have to be high cost.
WCU offers access through affordability.
The bottom line - you save more.
NC Promise Tuition
ncpromise.wcu.eduThe state of North Carolina covers the majority of undergraduate tuition at WCU. In-state students pay only $500 tuition per semester—saving nearly $3,000 annually, while out-of-state students pay $2,500 per semester—saving nearly $10,000 annually. All undergraduate students qualify, including full-time, part-time, transfer, and online students. Costs for part-time students are pro-rated based on credit hours, and the out-ofstate tuition rate applies to undergraduate international students.
NC Promise automatically cuts cost without cutting corners.
Here’s what you save:
Since the start of NC Promise, WCU undergraduate students have realized a 46.6% decrease in loan debt!
Catamount Commitment
catamountcommitment.wcu.eduCatamount Commitment is designed to help you and your family plan financially, finish in four (or fewer) years, limit or eliminate college debt, and earn competitive credentials for graduate school or career choices. Students are automatically considered following an offer of admission!
Who’s eligible for consideration?
- New first-year students from NC who apply for admission by January 2
- Resident credit/Cullowhee-based degree programs (no distance/online programs)
- Students who begin enrollment during a fall term (Early enrollment through Summer Bridge is ok! Spring entry is currently not eligible for Catamount Commitment consideration)
How do I get in on all this?
- Apply for admission to WCU at wcu.edu
- Claim your myWCU id (Watch your email after you apply for admission!)
- Set up your FSA ID at studentaid.gov (Federal Student Aid ID)
- Submit your FAFSA at studentaid.gov between October 1st and January 2nd (priority filing deadline)
- Submit your WCU scholarship application in your myWCU portal between October 1st and February 1st
Scholarships
Scholarships at Western Carolina University (WCU) are gift aid awarded based on merit or need. Our extensive list of scholarships, established by alumni and friends of the institution, can be found at scholarships.wcu.edu. To be considered, students must submit the WCU scholarship application annually. Don’t forget to apply for external scholarships, too. Thousands of scholarships exist! Community foundations, public and private charities, employers, and civic groups offer scholarships that you can use to help pay for your Western education. Go to scholarships.wcu.edu for more scholarship information.
Grants
Grants are funds that don’t require repayment. Eligibility is based on financial need. To apply, submit your FAFSA at studentaid.gov each academic year. Grants are available from federal and state aid programs.
46.3%
of undergraduate students at WCU
received grant support in 2022-23
Loans for Parents and Students
Federal educational loans are available to students and parents at low-interest rates. Repayment can be deferred until after graduation if students remain enrolled at least half-time. To be eligible, students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. Loans for parents are credit-based and require a loan application at the same website.
Work Study
The Federal Work-Study program offers on-campus or community-based job opportunities to assist with education-related expenses. At WCU, you receive bi-weekly paychecks based on your work hours, helping cover college costs.