Navigating Scholarships and Financial Aid at Walden University

Education represents a significant investment in one's future. Walden University is committed to helping students achieve their academic goals by providing various scholarships, grants, and financial aid options. These resources aim to alleviate financial barriers and make online degree programs more accessible to working professionals. Walden University offers 100+ online degree programs and certificates in counseling, social work, psychology, business, and more.

Understanding Financial Aid

Approximately 85% of college students attending four-year universities receive some form of financial aid. If you're considering enrolling in a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree program, understanding the available financial aid options is crucial. It is essential to review eligibility requirements, application guidelines, and the requirements for maintaining your aid. Many financial aid programs require consistent participation in courses to ensure full funding.

What are Title IV Funds?

Title IV refers to the Higher Education Act’s regulation of federal funding for universities. Title IV funding encompasses federal student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education, including the Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan, Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, Direct PLUS Loan, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Perkins Loan programs. To receive 100% of the approved funding, both the student and the university must adhere to Title IV regulations.

Requirements for Title IV Funding

When a student enrolls in courses, the university receives the Title IV funding. Any funds not used for education costs are disbursed to the student for expenses like books and living costs. However, failure to participate in courses may require the student to return the funds. To qualify for 100% of federal student aid, students must attend/complete over 60% of the course or courses they’ve enrolled in. If attendance/completion falls below 60%, the federal student aid will be prorated, covering only the attended/completed portion of the courses in that enrollment period.

Each class attended or completed earns a percentage of the financial aid. Ceasing participation, withdrawing from a course, or dropping a later consecutive course in the same enrollment period halts the earning of financial aid. If less than 60% of the aid is earned, the university must return the excess prorated amount, and the student may also be required to return the appropriate portion of funds already received.

Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide

Before applying for federal student aid or enrolling in a university, thoroughly assess your ability to complete the courses.

Scholarship Requirements

Scholarships for college students vary widely, ranging from university-specific scholarships to prestigious, large-sum awards and smaller, lesser-known scholarships. While some scholarships have no strings attached, many require a certain amount of enrollment and/or a certain GPA for you to keep receiving your funds. If you earn a scholarship, you should check what the scholarship provider expects of you.

Maintaining Financial Aid

Consulting with the university's financial aid advisors is crucial. Understand all available terms, options, and limits to the amount of financial aid available, including carryover from loans incurred from previous degrees. The best way to maintain Title IV funding and other financial aid is to attend your classes and complete your courses.

The Role of Online Learning

Online learning offers the flexibility and convenience needed to maintain financial aid eligibility. Unlike campus-based education, online education doesn’t require you to drive to a campus or even attend classes at set times. Instead, when you enroll in an online university, you’ll have more control over where and when you learn. You can complete coursework from the convenience of your home and you can choose when in the day you attend class. This flexibility makes it easier to fit a degree program into other responsibilities and ensures consistent class attendance and coursework completion.

Walden University's Scholarship and Grant Opportunities

Walden University provides various scholarships and grants to support students in their educational pursuits. These opportunities include the Believe & Achieve Scholarship®, tuition reductions for military members and alumni, and family start savings.

Read also: Benefits of NSHSS Scholarships

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.

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. No. 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®:

Read also: Scholarship Guide

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.
Believe & Achieve Scholarship® tuition savings can only be applied to the courses or subscription periods identified in the details for each program.
Believe & Achieve Scholarship® tuition savings can only be applied to the 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.

Tuition Reductions

Walden University offers several tuition reduction opportunities:

Military Tuition Reduction: Walden University is honored to support our military community with savings designed to make higher education more attainable. 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.
Alumni Referral Tuition Reduction: 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 Tuition Reduction: 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 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.
Tuition Grant for NAADAC Members: A 10% tuition savings, or tuition grants as outlined below, are available to eligible new students who are members of NAADAC and who enroll and start class between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. No tuition grant will be made retroactively. The tuition grant is applicable to tuition only and does not apply towards books, materials and other supplies or fees needed for a course. The tuition grant is a “non-cash” award, and in no event will the recipient receive a check or other disbursement of money pursuant to this tuition grant. The tuition grant may only be used for credit-bearing courses within the recipient’s course-based program; non-credit courses are not permitted under the tuition grant. The grant funds will be applied as follows: Up to $1,500 per term for 10 consecutive terms for PhD programs; Up to $1,500 per term for 8 consecutive terms for Master’s programs, excluding the Master’s Degree in Education; Up to $1,000 per term for 11 consecutive terms for Bachelor’s programs. The tuition grant is awarded beginning with the first term of enrollment, until the entire tuition grant has been earned or the student is no longer eligible.
Additional Tuition Reduction: and enroll in a Walden program on or after November 24, 2025. Eligible students receive a 10% tuition reduction combined with Walden’s Believe & Achieve Scholarship when they enroll in a program eligible for the Believe & Achieve Scholarship. 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.

It is important to note that 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 and May not be combined with other tuition reductions, unless specified in another offer.

Additional Savings Opportunities

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 other offer.
Office of the President Benefit: Students must contact their Enrollment Specialist to learn more or apply. Must be newly reserved students entering their first term at Walden and demonstrate a need or other extenuating life circumstances to be eligible. The criteria for selecting recipients to receive the benefit must demonstrate need or other extenuating life circumstances. Any Office of the President benefit is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Federal Student Aid

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.

Application Process

Applying for federal financial assistance involves two main steps:

Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and notification of eligibility.
Acceptance of the financial aid offer and completion of the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling.

New students are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA application at the same time they are applying for admission. Continuing students are required 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. This process takes approximately two to four weeks from the initial application through the receipt of funds.

To get started with FAFSA, the first step is getting your FSA ID and gathering the documents you’ll need. Walden’s school code is 025042. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the 2023-2024 FAFSA.

Fill out the 2024-2025 FAFSA if you are starting your program on or after May 27, 2024. Fill out the 2025-2026 FAFSA if you are starting your program on or after 5/26/2025. Upon receipt of your FAFSA, the FAFSA Processing System will analyze your application and forward a FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly known as Student Air Report) to you and Walden’s Office of Financial Aid within three to five business days. Read the report carefully as it contains important information about your eligibility for aid.

Managing Federal Student Aid

Once you’re admitted and we receive your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), we’ll inform you of your federal financial aid options via your Walden myFinAid portal. Some federal student aid programs have their own eligibility criteria in addition to general eligibility requirements. Your financial aid eligibility could change for a variety of reasons. Make sure you’re aware of the requirements to continue to receive financial aid every term. There are federal requirements and Walden-specific requirements to maintain your federal student aid. Be sure to complete a FAFSA application each year and review the terms and conditions for financial aid.

If you lose federal financial aid eligibility, there may be something you can do to get it back.

There are limits to the amount of federal aid you can receive. It’s important to understand how much you have used and how much you have left to complete your educational goals. 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.

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.

Financial Services processes applications for federal student aid and handles all questions relating to federal financial aid. Is Walden University approved for Federal Student Aid? Yes.

Once we receive your FAFSA information, you may begin using Walden’s 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. Department of Education provided $240.7 billion in federal financial aid to postsecondary students.

Loan Types

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. 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.

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. The Office of Financial Services processes offers on a rolling basis. It is strongly recommended that you complete your FAFSA application at the same time you are applying for admission, or eight weeks prior to the renewal date of your existing loan. You must have a complete FAFSA within 30 days prior to the end of the term for funds to be processed for that term or financial aid award year.

Disbursement of Funds

For those who qualify, once financial aid has been approved and processed, the funds are ready for disbursement. After you begin classes and your admission file is complete, Walden will apply funds directly to your student account to pay for tuition and fees.

Financial aid generally begins disbursing on Day 12 of the term and is disbursed in three equal payments over the academic year.

Additional Resources and Support

Walden University provides comprehensive support to help students navigate their financial aid options. Enrollment Specialists are available to answer any questions you may have. You’re never alone at Walden. Our student support teams are here for you every step of the way so you can stay on track and thrive in your studies. Learn from respected scholars, researchers, and leaders who bring real-world insights to the online classroom.

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