As a resident at Western, you are responsible for upholding your part of the Housing Contract and the financial responsibilities outlined in that agreement. The information below may be helpful in understanding the fees associated with your Housing Contract and the payment process.
If your parent or guardian will be helping you with your finances while you attend Western, make sure you submit a Release of Financial Information form to the Student Business Office. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents the University from discussing a student's financial activity with without the authorization of the student via the completed form.
For assistance with your student account, please contact the Student Business Office.
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Room & Board Rates
Room Rate Tiers
Residence hall rooms are sorted into tiers due to their different features. The room and board prices vary for each tier. Please refer to the rate sheets below to find the price of each room.
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Value: Typically, a hallway/corridor configuration. Bathroom has 6 or more users
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Standard: Typically a suite configuration. Bathroom for 5 or fewer users
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Premium: Suited room with in-suite kitchen AND bathroom with 5 or fewer users
Making Payments
Quarterly Payments
Housing rent and meal plan payments are due the first day of every quarter. Failing to pay by this deadline may result in additional fees to your account. CASHNet electronic billing and payment system is the official method of billing for WWU students. You can access your student account through MyWestern to view your balance and make payments. Students with account activity are notified by email at the start of the month that their billing statement is ready to view and pay. Students are responsible for monitoring their account activity and paying their balance on time.
For more information, visit:
Applicable Fees
Housing Prepayment
Students who choose to live on campus pay a nonrefundable housing prepayment of $200 as part of Western’s Housing Agreement - see the housing timeline for information on payment due dates. The $200 credit will be applied to your fall quarter student account balance and will apply toward any current or past-due financial obligations, Agreement terms, or covenants which the Student may owe the University, even if the amount does not derive from the Housing Agreement. Please note that canceling your Housing Agreement prior to move-in may still result in forfeiture of the housing prepayment.
Housing Prepayment Waiver
Students with a high level of financial need may qualify for a Housing Prepayment Waiver, which postpones the due date for your housing prepayment so you can pay for it out your first quarter financial aid. Western reviews Pell Grant eligibility and the Student Aid Index (SAI)* with regard to housing prepayment waiver requests. Please note that if you cancel housing after we have approved a Housing Prepayment Waiver, you may be responsible for repaying the prepayment in part or full out-of-pocket.
*After submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, you will be able to view the FAFSA Submission Summary, which lists the Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant eligibility (if applicable). If you need assistance regarding your financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Department.
Instructions for Requesting Prepayment Waiver
- Once you receive notice of housing prepayment due, log into the MyHousing portal and navigate to the Prepayment tab. Click on the link to 'Request Waiver of Housing Prepayment' to submit a request.
- To allow your financial aid to apply toward your housing prepayment, you must submit the online form Authorization to Apply Financial Aid Funds. You will need to use your Universal username and password to access this online form.
- To make sure your request has been received and granted, be sure to follow up on your waiver status in MyHousing. If you have questions or concerns about your request, contact the University Residences Business Office at 360-650-3744.
Quarterly Fees
Student Account
Your student account balance includes:
- cost of tuition
- fees
- housing
- meal plan
The full student account balance is due on the first day of classes and can be paid through MyWestern. You will receive an email to your student email account at the beginning of the month when your student account statement is ready to view and it is time to pay your bill.
Additional Charges
Any additional charges incurred later in the quarter (costs to add a class, increase your meal plan or upgrade your room assignment) are due by the 15th of each month.
Past due accounts are subject to a monthly $55 late fee and 1% interest charge.
Failure to pay your student account balance may result in meal plan suspension, eviction from University Residences, registration hold or cancellation.
Need help understanding your student account? Contact the Student Business Office.
Quarterly Room Fee
Your Quarterly Room Fee is billed to your student account before the start of each quarter. If you move out during the quarter, you will be charged for the days you lived with us, which is calculated from the day you checked in through the day you checked out. The room cost for the remaining days in the quarter will be credited to your student account. If you move mid-quarter and your new room has a different rate than your original assignment, your student account will be either credited or charged the difference in rates for the remaining days in the quarter.
Miscellaneous Charges
If you receive financial aid and you would like to use it to pay all types of the charges on your student account (bookstore charges, medical service charges, late fees, interest, replacement ID cards or deferred housing prepayments, etc.), not just tuition, fees, room and board) you must submit an Authorization to Apply Financial Aid Funds Form.
Contract Breakage Fee
When you accept the Housing Agreement, you have entered into a rental contract that lasts until the end of the academic year. Unless you are graduating, withdrawing from school, leaving for an internship or to study abroad, if you move out before finals week you may be charged a Contract Breakage Fee:
- Residence Halls: $5.25 per day for the remainder of the term of the Agreement.
- Apartments: $2.67 per day for the remainder of the term of the Agreement.
Key Replacement Fee
It is important to keep track of your keys and keep them in good repair. If you lose a key or fob please report it to your hall’s front desk immediately. Missing keys/fobs are a security risk to you and your community. Reissuing a damaged or lost keys or fobs can cost up to $725 depending on the number of doors and keys affected.
Checkout Fees
Damage, Cleaning, and Bed Fees
When you move out, plan to leave your room neat and clean and your bed properly assembled. Fees for cleaning, damage, missing items, trash disposal or abandoned property are split between roommates and/or suitemates unless you explain individual responsibility as part of the checkout section of your Room Inspection and Inventory form. Items left behind are considered abandoned property. Unreturned bed parts may result in a $35 fee; leaving the bed set up incorrectly may result in a $15 fee. Missing bed parts can result in a replacement fee of $500 or more.
Improper Checkout Fee
Failure to meet checkout deadlines, complete your room inspection or follow proper checkout procedures can result in an improper checkout fee of $35.
Winter/Spring Checkout Penalty
Western bills your student account quarterly for Housing Fees, which do not include winter or spring breaks. Housing is free during winter and spring breaks for residents who plan to live on campus through the first 14 days of the new quarter. If you want to move off campus, plan for the end of the quarter, otherwise you will be charged a fee for each day of break, up to and including the day of checkout, even if you didn’t stay in your room over break.
Winter Break 2023-2024
December 16, 2023 - January 8, 2024
If you check out after December 9 you will be charged your daily Fall room rate for each day beyond December 15 that you have keys until you properly check out.
Review the Checkout Penalty (see above) and Housing Agreement, section 17.
Spring Break 2024
March 23 - April 1, 2024
If you check out after March 22 you will be charged your daily Winter room rate for each day beyond March 22 that you have keys until you properly check out.
Review the Checkout Penalty (see above) and Housing Agreement, section 17.
Housing Appeals
University Residences provides an avenue for students who experience contractual difficulties (such as Housing Application on hold due to space availability, disagreement with the assessment of a housing charge against their account, etc).
For more information visit Housing Appeals.