Navigating Financial Aid at Walden University: A Comprehensive Guide

Financing higher education is a significant concern for many students. Walden University recognizes this and offers various financial aid options to help students achieve their academic goals. This article provides a detailed overview of financial aid at Walden University, covering application procedures, eligibility requirements, available aid programs, and important policies.

Understanding the Basics of Financial Aid at Walden University

Walden University is an approved institution for Federal Student Aid. For students seeking financial assistance, the process begins with understanding the fundamental aspects of federal aid and Walden's specific policies. Walden's Title IV Code is 025042.

The Two-Part Application Process

Applying for federal financial aid at Walden University involves a two-part process:

FAFSA Completion and Eligibility Notification: This involves completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and receiving notification of your eligibility.
Financial Aid Acceptance and MPN Completion: This includes accepting the financial aid offer and completing the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling.

This entire process typically takes about two to four weeks from the initial application to the receipt of funds. New students are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA application at the same time they are applying for admission. Continuing students need to complete a renewal FAFSA for each award year they are enrolled. It is recommended to fill out the FAFSA renewal form when it becomes available from the Department of Education, usually in October.

FAFSA: Your First Step to Federal Aid

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial step in determining your eligibility for federal aid. If you're filling out the FAFSA for the first time, you'll need to get your FSA ID and gather all the necessary documents. Walden’s school code is 025042.

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Make sure to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the FAFSA. After Walden receives your FAFSA information, you can use the myFinAid portal to monitor the status of your financial aid information. Once you’ve accepted your offer and your loans have originated, your federal student aid funds will be waiting for disbursement to Walden. After the term has started and all admission requirements are completed, the Office of the Bursar will apply these funds to your outstanding bill.

The FAFSA is specific to a single academic year and must be submitted each year for you to be considered for federal student aid.

myFinAid Portal: Your Financial Aid Hub

Once admitted, you'll receive information about your federal financial aid options through the Walden myFinAid portal. You can view your financial aid status and review any additional documents or actions required for your application in the myFinAid portal. Updates on your individual financial aid progress can also be found in Your Feed, located on the right side of your myWalden student portal.

Visit your myFinAid portal and go to the "Documents & Messages" tab from the left-hand navigation to view the status of your FAFSA. You can review and make a decision on your offer on the myFinAid portal by selecting "Your Financial Aid Offers" in the left-hand navigation.

Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility

To continue receiving financial aid, it's essential to be aware of both federal and Walden-specific requirements.

Continuous Enrollment and Participation

To ensure that your financial aid is disbursed on time, you must continuously participate in graded activities in all of your courses. Failure to log in and participate in your courses may cause your disbursement and any resulting refund to be delayed. To access your classroom, visit your myWalden student portal and select "Go To Class" from the left-hand navigation menu.

All financial aid recipients must also maintain continuous participation throughout the term. Lack of continuous participation can result in funds returned to your loan servicer. You can view the Return to Title IV (R2T4) policy in the student handbook.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

All federal financial aid recipients must meet a minimum GPA (2.0 for most undergraduates and 3.0 for graduates) and completion rate (67%) requirement to maintain eligibility. Additionally, students will become ineligible for aid when they reach the maximum time frame for their program. You can view the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy in the student handbook for more information.

If you are a financial aid recipient and you fail to earn a passing grade in one or more courses, your current and future financial aid could be impacted. Federal regulations require Walden’s Office of Financial Aid to review your account to determine the percentage of financial aid you earned during the term. If it is determined that you did not earn 100% of the financial aid that was disbursed to you, Walden will return all or a portion of the funds to your loan servicer. This may leave a balance on your account which you will be responsible for paying to Walden. You can view the Return to Title IV (R2T4) policy in the student handbook. Additionally, failure to complete courses with a passing grade can impact your financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). If your GPA and/or completion rate fall below the minimum SAP requirements, your financial aid eligibility may be impacted. You can view the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards in the student handbook.

Renewal of FAFSA Application

You must renew your FAFSA application with the new FAFSA year. Check studentaid.gov to ensure your application is completed for the current year.

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Consequences of Non-Compliance

If your balance remains past due, a financial hold will be placed on your student account preventing registration into future terms. This hold does not remove you from classes that are currently in session.

Financial Aid Programs at Walden University

Walden University offers various financial aid programs, including federal student aid, scholarships, and grants.

Federal Student Aid Programs

As a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, you may be able to receive federal financial aid to help you fund your higher education. Some federal student aid programs have their own eligibility criteria in addition to general eligibility requirements.

Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Loans

The main difference between these two federal student loans is how interest is handled while you’re in school:

Subsidized loans: These are for undergraduate students with financial need. The Department of Education pays the interest while you are in school at least half-time, during the first six months after you leave school (the “grace period”), and during periods of deferment.
Unsubsidized loans: These are available to both undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of financial need. You are responsible for paying all interest from the moment the loan is disbursed.

Walden University Scholarships and Grants

Walden regularly offers grants and/or scholarships to new students, and these offers change from time to time. Students eligible for the Believe & Achieve Scholarship remain eligible to apply for federal student aid programs. The student’s annual federal student aid eligibility may be reduced in terms in which their tuition is reduced.

The Believe & Achieve Scholarship®

Walden University scholarships include our innovative Believe & Achieve Scholarship®. With this opportunity, students receive tuition savings based on their individual program. Tuition savings are earned by students by completing courses, by reaching a certain point in their program, or by completing subscription periods.

For eligible undergraduate, master’s, and DNP Traditional and Executive Leadership programs, these savings are applied to the end of the program, following the add/drop period in the term after you’ve earned the credits. For NP specializations, savings are applied to clinical practicum courses.

The Believe & Achieve Scholarship® makes the cost of Walden’s eligible programs more manageable for students. All new students (domestic and international) who enroll in an eligible program are eligible and remain eligible for the Believe & Achieve Scholarship® unless they withdraw or step out for 12 months or more. Additional eligibility details are available on the Grants & Scholarships page. Students on a leave of absence or who step out for fewer than 12 months will remain eligible. Students may also remain eligible based on other university-level policies, such as military deployment.

Students who were previously enrolled at Walden and return after 12 months or more will be eligible for the scholarship program as long it is in effect but will lose any previously earned tuition-free courses. If a student steps out for 12 months or more, they will be eligible for the tuition savings available at their new start date. If the Believe & Achieve Scholarship® is available at that time, any previously completed courses will not count toward the earning of future tuition-free savings.

Believe & Achieve Scholarship® tuition savings can only be applied to the courses or subscription periods identified in the details for each program. Students in an undergraduate program (excluding BSN and Tempo Learning®) receiving the Believe & Achieve Scholarship® will continue to earn tuition-free savings until the student has three or fewer paid courses remaining. Only then will they receive their previously earned tuition-free courses.

Military Tuition Reductions

Walden University is honored to support our military community with savings designed to make higher education more attainable. This includes members of the U.S. armed forces, or employees of the Veterans Administration who enroll in programs eligible for the Believe & Achieve Scholarship. For programs not eligible for the Walden’s Believe & Achieve Scholarship, the tuition reduction is 10% for the life of the program. This tuition reduction is also available if you are a spouse of a service member, veteran, or employee of the Veterans Administration. This tuition reduction cannot be retroactively applied. Tuition reductions are applicable to tuition only and do not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees needed for a course.

Other Tuition Reduction Opportunities

Alumni Referral Program: New students who are referred by Walden alumni can save receive a 5% tuition reduction combined with Walden’s Believe & Achieve Scholarship® when they enroll in a program eligible for the Believe & Achieve Scholarship. This tuition benefit is available for start dates February 24, 2025, and after. This tuition reduction cannot be retroactively applied. Tuition reductions are applicable to tuition only and do not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees needed for a course. It may not be combined with other tuition reductions, unless specified in another offer.
Alumni Savings: Walden alumni who have completed a degree or certificate program can save 25% on tuition over the lifetime of their program when they return for their next degree or certificate program and start classes August 25, 2025, and after. Tuition reductions are applicable to tuition only and do not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees needed for a course. This tuition reduction cannot be retroactively applied. May not be combined with other tuition reductions, unless specified in another offer.
Family Savings: Save 25% on tuition over the lifetime of your degree program (excluding certificates) if you are the spouse, parent, or child of an enrolled Walden University student and start classes on or after February 24, 2025. Tuition reductions are applicable to tuition only and do not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees needed for a course. This tuition reduction cannot be retroactively applied. May not be combined with other tuition reductions, unless specified in another offer.
Family Start Savings: Save 5% on tuition if you and a family member start a new Walden program on the same start date. Family members who enroll in a program eligible for the Believe & Achieve Scholarship will receive a Walden Family Start Savings tuition reduction of 5% for the life of the current program. Any family members who wish to start a new Walden program on the same start date are eligible. Family members do not need to enroll in the same program or degree level. This offer applies to two or more family members, with no limit on the number of family members that may participate. Applicable to Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral, certificates and Tempo-learning programs. Tuition reductions are applicable to tuition only and do not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees needed for a course. This tuition reduction cannot be retroactively applied. May not be combined with other tuition reductions, unless specified in another offer.

Additional Financial Resources

Walden partners with organizations around the world to help support your educational goals. You may have a third party-i.e., a civic organization, religious group, or your employer-pay for your tuition by submitting a voucher, purchase order, or letter of credit. Walden University also accepts ACH (bank transfer), checks, and money orders.

Managing Your Student Account and Refunds

Walden University provides tools and resources to manage your student account and handle refunds efficiently.

Financial Payment Gateway

Visit the Financial Payment Gateway portal to view your student account, make a payment, set up payment arrangements, or view invoice and transaction history. On your dashboard, you will select "Create Payment Plan". Select from one of the plan options in the drop down, and select your payment method. Walden University offers monthly payment plans with no interest.

Setting Up Refund Method

You can set up or change the method of payment for any eligible financial aid refund amounts by visiting your myWalden student portal, select "Finances" from the left-hand navigation. Then, scroll down to the Quick Links section and select "Manage Your Refund" (US students only). From there, you will be able to update your refund address, set up direct deposit, or edit your refund method.

Book Advances

While you can use federal financial aid at Walden University to cover books and materials, these costs are not automatically deducted from your financial aid. If your aid exceeds your tuition and fees, you can use the remaining balance to pay for course materials.

If you need funds earlier, you can request a book advance of up to $500 starting 30 days before your term begins, provided your financial aid process is complete.

Special Circumstances and Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the educational costs for the academic year and is used for calculating a student’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) program fund eligibility (Pell Grant, FSEOG, Direct Loans, and TEACH Grant). The following allowable charges may be added to the COA within predefined caps if accompanied by requested documentation. Eligibility for additional loan funding to pay for these allowable charges depends on additional financial aid eligibility after the initial offer is determined. Every university is required to establish a Title IV COA that is reasonable and consistently applied to serve as the basis and limit on the total aid a student may receive.

The United States Department of Education requires students to be packaged financial aid based on a COA comprised of allowable costs for students carrying similar academic workloads. Components for living expenses are factored into the COA in a standardized manner to ensure parity between students. These components are neither regionalized nor individualized to ensure parity of treatment among our student body.

A professional judgment to consider costs that potentially exceed the standard COA begins with an evaluation of how your circumstances have changed since enrolling at Walden University. If those circumstances are determined by the financial aid administrator to be special or unexpected and the request to accommodate them is determined reasonable, you will be required to provide supporting documentation such as copies of lease agreements, documentation of unemployment from a state agency, and/or other relevant third-party documents. All supporting documentation will be verified for legitimacy.

If it is suspected that a student has misreported information or altered documentation to fraudulently obtain federal funds, we are required to report our suspicions to Walden's Code of Conduct department and to provide any evidence to the Office of Inspector General (OIG). Once supporting documents are reviewed for your living expenses the financial aid administrator will compare them to the already allocated living expenses in your cost of attendance on a case-by-case basis. A financial aid administrator’s decision regarding adjustments is final and cannot be appealed. The COA cannot be adjusted for such expenses as moving costs or legal bills. Walden does not use COA allowances from prior institutions. Students wishing to pursue special circumstance adjustments to their COA should contact Financial Services.

Important Policies and Considerations

Several policies can impact your financial aid at Walden. Understanding these policies is crucial for managing your financial aid effectively.

Verification Process

In accordance with Department of Education regulations, Walden University is required to verify the accuracy of financial aid application information for selected students. Students selected for verification are required to submit additional information. Federal tax information transferred into the FAFSA directly from the IRS is considered verified, but there may be other data elements that will still need to be verified with additional documentation.

Additional information for the verification process may include but is not limited to the following: IRS tax return transcripts / signed IRS Form 1040 tax return and schedules, W-2s, verification of non-filing, identification documents, and a signed Statement of Educational Purpose. If a student is selected for verification, the documents that they will need to submit to the Office of Financial Aid will be scheduled on their myFinAid document portal.

For the 2024-25 FAFSA, a verification of non-filing letter is only required for an independent student, and their spouse if applicable, if they would file a return with a relevant tax authority other than the IRS. If a student is having difficulty obtaining the required tax documents, they should contact the Office of Financial Aid. Once the required documents are received in the Office of Financial Aid, the normal processing time is up to 10 business days to review documents and receive FAFSA corrections. Participation in the verification process is not optional and financial aid offers cannot be determined until verification is complete. Upon reviewing a student’s verification documentation, the Office of Financial Aid will correct their FAFSA if any information was reported in error.

Unusual Enrollment History (UEH) Flag

The Department of Education added the Unusual Enrollment History (UEH) Flag to the ISIR (Institutional Student Information Record) to indicate whether students have an unusual enrollment history in regard to the receipt of Federal Pell Grant and/or Federal Direct Loan funds (not including a Direct Consolidation Loan, Perkins Loan or a Parent PLUS loan). The Department of Education enforced this process to determine if recipients were enrolling with the sole purpose of collecting Title IV credit balances.

Course Failure and Repeating Courses

The Walden University Student Handbook identifies all requirements for passing or repeating a course and remains the guideline for all students.

For impacts to the Believe & Achieve Scholarship®:

Undergraduate programs (except BSN and Tempo Learning® format): A student is only required to complete and pass three courses in accordance with the current student handbook to earn the tuition-free course or five credits (depending on their program).
If a current student receiving the Believe & Achieve Scholarship® transfers to a different program offering the Believe & Achieve Scholarship®, they will remain eligible for the scholarship and receive the tuition savings assigned to their new program.
Transfers from course-based or Tempo Learning® undergraduate to course-based undergraduate program (except BSN): Any courses previously completed at Walden by a student transferring to a course-based undergraduate program (except BSN) will determine the number of tuition-free courses or credits the student receives at the end of their program. This applies whether the student is transferring from a course-based or Tempo Learning® program. The student would be eligible for and receive the tuition savings assigned to the new program.
Transfers from a non-BSN course-based undergraduate program to BSN: The student would be eligible for and receive the tuition savings assigned to the new program. With the Believe & Achieve Scholarship®, the student would receive the last two courses tuition-free in their BSN program.
Transfers from course-based to Tempo Learning® format: Any student transferring from a course-based format to the Tempo Learning® format will begin their program in their first paid subscription period. This counts as the first of four paid subscription periods a student must complete to receive their tuition-free subscription period.
Transfers from Tempo Learning® to Tempo Learning® format: Any student transferring from one program in the Tempo Learning® format to another program in the Tempo Learning® format will continue to earn tuition-free subscription periods; however, any previously completed periods in the prior program will not count toward the new program.
Transfers from Tempo Learning® to course-based format: The student would be eligible for and receive the tuition savings assigned to the new program. If a student transfers to a master’s or BSN program, the student will receive the identified tuition-free course for their new program. For an undergraduate program, any courses previously completed at Walden by a student in their Tempo Learning® undergraduate program will determine the number of tuition-free courses or credits the student receives at the end of their new course-based program.

Loan Repayment

Your federal student aid loans go into repayment when you drop below half-time enrollment, leave school, or graduate. At that time, you’re required to complete loan exit counseling. The federal government offers several repayment plan options.

Borrowing Wisely

We encourage you to borrow only what you need to earn your degree. Walden will offer you the amount of student loans for which you’re eligible, but you can reduce that amount. To determine how much loan money to accept, make a list of your college and living expenses and the resources you’ll have available to pay them. Take a look at your long-term goals to see if borrowing less now will leave you with more options later. You’re responsible for knowing the total amount you’ve borrowed in federal financial aid and how much you have left toward your lifetime limits. You can see a summary of your federal loan debt at StudentAid.gov.

Seeking Assistance and Resolving Issues

Walden University's Office of Financial Aid is dedicated to assisting students with their financial aid needs.

The Office of Financial Aid (OFA)

Walden University recognizes the importance of financial aid in planning a successful academic experience. The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) at Walden has a knowledgeable staff of individuals who are dedicated to assisting students with their financial aid needs. The Walden Office of Financial Aid is always ready to assist with any questions or concerns regarding student loans. Financial Services processes applications for federal student aid and handles all questions relating to federal financial aid.

FSA Ombudsman Group

The Department of Education is available to help students. An ombudsman resolves federal loan disputes from a neutral and independent viewpoint. The FSA Ombudsman Group will informally research a borrower’s problem and suggest solutions to resolve the problem.

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