If you are a veteran member of the United States Armed Forces, Selected Reserve, or National Guard, or a child or spouse of an active duty or veteran member of the U.S. Armed Forces, Selected Reserve, or National Guard, we would like to familiarize you with a few helpful resources. Feel free to contact these offices to learn more about Western and have your questions answered.

Veteran Services

The Veteran Services Office can answer any questions you have about applying for educational benefits. The Veteran Services Office staff are familiar with the Post 9/11 GI Bill® and have knowledge of the various educational benefits for which you may be eligible. The Veteran Services Office can also provide guidance on costs and benefits.

You may also qualify to have the enrollment confirmation fee – required to secure your enrollment space – deferred to your first quarter's tuition bill. If you'd like to request a deferral, please follow the prompts in the Veteran Services Office's New Student Application. After you submit the application, please contact the Veterans Services Office to ensure it has been received.

Your Admissions Representative

If you haven't yet applied for admission, we invite you to apply online. Additional admissions information for first-year, transfer, returning, and post-baccalaureate students is available on our website.

For more specific questions and inquiries, your personal contact is:

Jeanne Gaffney
Associate Director of Admissions
(360) 650-3966
Jeanne.Gaffney@wwu.edu

Jeanne works specifically with active service members and their families to ensure a smooth transition to Western Washington University. Contact her directly with questions about applying for admission, transferring credits, or any general enrollment questions.

Additional campus resources

Financial aid and scholarships

The Financial Aid Office provides helpful resources and can answer questions about financial aid. 

Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by Western's January 31 priority deadline. In addition to being considered for federal student loans, filing the FAFSA will allow you to be considered for grants, tuition waivers, work study, and other financial aid programs.

There is a wide variety of scholarship opportunities available to Western students. While a partial listing is available on the Admissions website, the most up-to-date information on scholarship opportunities at Western is available in the Scholarship Center.

Residency

Military members, spouses, and dependents using military benefits may be eligible for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities in the state where they reside or are permanently stationed. For eligibility criteria, please contact the Veteran Services Office.

Veteran Services Office
Western Washington University
516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 | 9191
veteran.services@wwu.edu | 360-650-3324

Student Veterans of Western Club

The Student Veterans of Western Club is a service-based organization for veterans, by veterans (and their supporters). This club holds a nonpartisan viewpoint and is dedicated to veterans, their families, and the community where they live.

Veteran's Outreach Center

The Veteran's Outreach Center (VOC) is dedicated to advocating for U.S. Armed Forces Veterans and their families for a positive Western experience. The VOC is a source for campus life information and a networking haven for veterans and military supporters. The center also coordinates the annual Veterans Day Ceremony, plans socials, informational fairs, and workshops, and invites military representatives to speak during campus events and provides transitional assistance for new student veterans.

Disability Access Center

The Disability Access Center (DAC) serves students who have a wide variety of disabilities. The DAC provides prospective and admitted Western students an equal opportunity to access all aspects of University life through services and programs designed to foster intellectual, emotional, physical, and social development. They partner with over 1,500 students a year. Students who intend to access services provided by the Disability Access Center must contact the office prior to enrollment to insure timely coordination of services.

Student Employment Center

The Student Employment Center is a free resource available to Western students in search of part-time employment to pay for college expenses. The online job board contains on-campus and off-campus employment opportunities as well as work-study and non-work study positions.