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The Financial Aid Office and Cashier’s Office are available to provide information about financing options. There are a number of payment options and resources you may consider.
W-Pay Monthly Payment Plan: The W-Pay Monthly Payment Plan, administered by the Cashier’s Office, offers an interest-free method to divide the account balance into four equal payments for a $40 enrollment fee per semester.
Graduate Fellowships: Fellowships are a form of financial support that does not require repayment. Western Colorado University’s graduate programs offer a range of fellowship opportunities for both incoming and continuing students. Availability and eligibility vary by program.
Federal Student Loans: The Direct Loan Program provides fixed-rate loans to help students cover educational expenses. U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled in a degree program may be eligible to borrow a Direct Unsubsidized Loan of up to $20,500 per academic year.
Interest on unsubsidized loans begins to accrue at the time of disbursement. Borrowers may pay the interest while enrolled, during grace periods, during deferment or forbearance, or they may allow the interest to accrue and be capitalized, which adds it to the principal balance when repayment commences.
Submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for consideration; however, demonstration of financial need is not necessary to receive a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
Federal Financial Aid Changes: Beginning July 1, 2026, the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan program will no longer be available for new borrowing.
Graduate students who have taken out a Graduate PLUS Loan before July 1, 2026, may continue borrowing under the current rules for a limited period of up to three academic years (through June 30, 2029) or until they complete their current degree program, whichever comes first.
These continuation options, known as Legacy Provisions, apply only if you:
- Remain enrolled in the same degree program, and
- Do not begin a new program of study after July 1, 2026.
After the transition period, all master’s students will be limited to Direct Unsubsidized Loans only, with borrowing caps set as follows:
- Master’s students may borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
- The aggregate borrowing limit for Direct Unsubsidized Loans is $138,500, including undergraduate and graduate borrowing. Borrowers with no prior federal student loan balance as of July 1, 2026, are subject to a $100,000 aggregate limit for graduate study.
In addition, new loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, will follow a revised repayment structure. Borrowers will have two options: a new Standard Repayment Plan or the new income-based Repayment Assistance Plan, which replaces the current income-driven repayment plans for loans issued under the new regulations.
Students who expect to borrow federal loans beyond July 1, 2026, are encouraged to meet with Western’s Office of Financial Aid to review how these changes may affect their eligibility, remaining borrowing capacity, and overall financial planning.
Private Student Loans: Private credit-based educational loans are offered by private lenders or state loan authorities to graduate students for the purpose of financing educational costs.
