Student Financial Services
Knight Hall Room 174
1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071
Email: sfs@uwyo.edu
Phone: (307) 766-2116
Student Financial Services serves as the central office for student financial information and support, consisting of Financial Programs (scholarships, grants, loans, and Federal Work-Study), Student Accounts (tuition and fee assessment, billing, payments, refunds, and third-party invoicing), and Financial Wellness and Outreach.
Tuition and Fees (Subject to Change)
The UW Board of Trustees is responsible for the establishment of all fees, charges, and deposits assessed, and refunds afforded to enrolled students. Tuition is assessed based on a student’s level, residency, campus, program, and enrollment status. Full-time enrollment is 12+ credit hours for undergraduates and 9+ for graduate students; anything below these thresholds is considered part-time. Tuition and fees vary based on these attributes and will be available in the Fee Book or from Student Financial Services website.
Fall charges will be posted to WyoRecords by the end of May, spring charges by the end of November, and summer charges by the end of April.
Block Tuition
UW offers block tuition rates so students can benefit from a set tuition rate for a block of credits. Block tuition is only charged for fall and spring semesters, and summer tuition rates will be charged per credit hour.
For more detailed information on block tuition please, visit our block tuition page.
Health Insurance
Contact Student Medical Insurance
641 Hill Hall
Phone: (307) 766-3025
Email: stuins@uwyo.edu
International Students
Student medical insurance is mandatory for international students, and they are automatically enrolled in it each fall and spring when registered for classes. Students may request a waiver if they meet university requirements and submit the required documentation by the drop deadline each semester. The student benefits package is added to the accounts of eligible students who have UW health insurance and are not charged with the mandatory student services fee.
Domestic Students
During registration, domestic students must choose whether to enroll in student medical insurance. Selecting “YES” adds the premium to their account. Selecting “NO” does not. Students who select “YES” and have not been charged the mandatory student services fee will also be assessed for the Student Benefit Package.
Benefit Package
The Student Benefit Package grants access to athletics events, Half Acre Gym, Student Health, and the Counseling Center. Students in online programs or main campus students enrolled in fewer than six hours may purchase the package by completing the appropriate form.
Graduate students enrolled in fewer than 4.5 credit hours wanting to be considered full-time status should contact their academic department and review the “Graduate Student Optional Fee Package Petition” on the Registrar’s website.
StartRight+
StartRight+ is a collaborative program between the University Store, faculty, and publishers that provides students with convenient, affordable access to all required course materials. All undergraduate and graduate students are automatically enrolled in StartRight+ and receive access to their required materials by the first day of class.
For more detailed information on StartRight+ please, visit our StartRight+ page.
Financial Aid Programs
Cost of Attendance (COA)
Cost of Attendance (COA) is not a bill but is an estimate of school-related expenses a full-time student can expect to have for an academic year, and it can help a student estimate their overall out-of-pocket costs when attending UW.
Types of Financial Aid:
Scholarships
UW offers a wide range of scholarship opportunities for all student types, including residents, non-resident, international, transfer, and non-traditional students. Students can learn about awards such as the Cowboy Commitment, Hathaway, Trustees’ Scholars Award, and more, each with its own eligibility criteria. UW also supports students pursuing external scholarships offered by outside organizations and provides emergency scholarships for eligible students.
- Eligibility- Students will be reviewed for scholarship eligibility when they apply for admission to the University of Wyoming. They will need to provide official transcripts and test scores (optional), and they must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program.
For more detailed information on scholarships, please visit our scholarships page.
Federal Aid
The U.S. Department of Education offers several types of financial aid for students who are determined eligible by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These include grants, Work-Study opportunities, and direct loans (subsidized and unsubsidized).
Because funding is limited, priority is given to students who complete all required materials by February 1. Federal Pell Grants and Federal Direct Loans remain available year-round to eligible students.
- Eligibility- To receive federal financial aid, students must meet several basic eligibility requirements, including having a high school diploma or equivalent, being enrolled in a UW degree program, being a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, demonstrating financial need when applicable, maintaining satisfactory academic progress, and not being in default or owing an over payment on federal aid. Students must also follow federal loan limits, verify attendance, and use all aid solely for educational expenses.
- Return of Funds Policy- Students who withdraw before completing 60% of the term may be required to repay a portion of their federal financial aid they have not earned. The University of Wyoming calculates earned and unearned aid based on the percentage of the term completed, using the student’s last date of academically-related activity as the withdrawal date. Any federal aid the university must is required to return will be charged to the student’s account. Loan repayments follow standard repayment terms, while grant repayments are due immediately.
For more detailed information on Federal financial aid, please visit our types of financial aid page.
| Scholarships |
Federal Aid |
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- Federal grants may be prorated for part-time students, and federal loans require at least half-time enrollment.
- Aid is not available for audit or continuous registration hours, and federal grants are available to students who have not earned their first undergraduate degree.
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Study Abroad: Financial aid may be available for study abroad programs at UW. For more detailed information, please visit our Study Abroad page.
Consortium Agreement: Students may combine credit hours from two or more schools to help qualify for financial aid. For more detailed information, please visit our consortium agreement page.
Private Loans
Students also can consider taking out private loans to help pay for their education. We offer a convenient comparison tool to help find the best loan option.
For the comparison tool, please visit our private student loans page.
Renewing Requirements
To maintain eligibility to renew financial aid, students must meet specific requirements each semester or academic year.
Financial Aid Appeals
Student Financial Services offers several appeal options to address changes or challenges that may affect a student’s financial aid eligibility. These include Special Circumstance appeals for life changes not reflected on the FAFSA, Unusual Circumstance appeals that may impact dependency status, Cost of Attendance (COA) appeals for documented expenses that exceed standard budget estimates, scholarship appeals reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and Loss of Federal Aid appeals related to Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP is a federal requirement that evaluates a student’s GPA, course completion rate, and degree time frame and is reviewed at the end of each semester. Maintaining SAP is required to remain eligible for federal aid, as well as some institutional and state scholarships and grants.
For more detailed information on student financial appeals, please visit our Financial Aid Appeals page.
Financial Aid Disbursement
Financial aid will disburse towards a student’s university-billed charges* on their student account the evening of the eleventh calendar day after the start of the semester (fall and spring). Summer semester disbursement occurs based upon the type of aid. Scholarships will disburse on the first day of the summer semester. Federal aid will disburse on the first day of a student’s first class.
*Tuition, fees, housing and food (if living on-campus)
Billing and Payments
Student Billing
Students and authorized users are billed electronically each month. No paper bills are sent. Students are responsible for reviewing statements in the Student Financial portal and paying by the deadlines. Billing notifications are sent to UW email monthly, and account activity can be viewed anytime via the Student Financial or Authorized User portals.
Tuition and Fee Payment Due Dates, Holds, and Late Fees
All university charges are due in full by Sept 15 (Fall), Feb 15 (Spring), June 1 (Summer).
Students needing extra time can use the institutional payment plan. The payment plan adds three to four monthly installments for fall and spring and two for summer, in addition to the initial due date. Installment payments are due on the 15Th of each month for fall/spring and the 1st of each month for summer. An early installment is available if signed up before August 15 (fall) or January 15 (spring). Late or missed installments incur a $50 fee and a registration hold, up to a maximum of $200 per semester. 1.5% monthly interest will start accruing on unpaid accounts after the semester ends, and unpaid accounts may be sent to a third-party collection agency with additional fees.
Returned Payments
If a payment is returned for insufficient funds or other reasons, the account will be placed on hold until the original amount plus a return payment fee of $15 is paid. Classes secured by a returned payment may be canceled.
Tuition Waivers
Employee, spouse, or cooperating with agency waivers must be submitted to Student Financial Services by the first day of the term. Waivers are applied after the drop deadline. To qualify, the student must be a benefited employee on the first day of class.
For more detailed information please, visit Regulation 7-11 page for details.
Third-Party and Sponsored Students
Student Financial Services offers third-party billing for sponsored students and other agencies. A Financial Guarantee or Letter of Authorization listing student name(s), fees covered, billing address/email, contact person, and coverage dates must be received by the first day of the term.
Authorizations can be emailed to SFS@uwyo.edu, dropped off at Knight Hall 172, or mailed to: University of Wyoming, Dept 3332, 1000 E University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071.
Veterans Education Benefits
Veterans may receive credit for courses taken at certain military schools by submitting a DD-214 (or equivalent) to the Office of the Registrar. Colleges determine applicability to degree programs. Veterans must provide a certificate of eligibility and complete an Authorization for Certification Form each semester with Student Financial Services (172 Knight Hall, 307-766-2525). Failure to submit by the last day of late registration results in removal from VA educational assistance. Veterans must meant class load requirements as follows:
| Undergraduate and Pharm.D. Veterans |
Graduate and Law Veterans |
- Full-time: 12 or more credit hours
- 3/4 time: at least 9, but fewer than 12 hours
- 1/2 time; at least 6, but fewer than 9 hours
- Less than 1/2 registration: credit hour fee reimbursement only
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- Full-time: 9 or more graduate credit hours or certification by the Office of the Registrar*
- 3/4 time: at least 7 but fewer than 9 graduate credit hours or certification by the Office of the Registrar*
- 1/2 time: at least 4.5, but fewer than 7 graduate credit hours
- Less than 1/2 registration: credit hour fee reimbursement only
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National Guard Benefit:
Active Wyoming National Guard members in good standing may apply for the Guard’s Education Assistance Plan, covering 100% of tuition and mandatory fees (except repeated courses) for one UW degree. Recipients must meet academic and service commitments and serve at least two years post-degree. This benefit can be used with GI Bill® benefits. For information, contact the Wyoming National Guard at 800-832-1959, ext. 5262.
*The final responsibility for seeing that the veterans’ certification specialist has a certification from the Office of the Registrar rests with the student. It must be received by the last day of scheduled registration.
If any portion of a veteran’s schedule includes short, blocked, or workshop-style courses, benefit payments may be affected. Withdrawal from classes could also reduce benefits. Questions should be directed to the VA certifying official in SFS, 174 Knight Hall, (307) 766-2525.
Refunds and Withdrawals
- Tuition and course fees are refundable when a student drops a class during the drop period, completes an all-school withdrawal, or changes in enrollment status (e.g., non-resident to resident, full-time to part-time).
- No refunds are given for individual courses after the drop/add period, except for an all-school withdrawal, fall, and spring semester. Mandatory, program, advising, course, and service fees are non-refundable after the drop period. Refunds are calculated from the first day of the term by calendar day, including for blocked or short courses and late registration.
- Please refer to our summer session information page for-summer session dates because shorter classes will have shorter refund periods.
Institutional Refund Schedule for All-School Withdrawal (Fall and Spring)
| Academic Year 2026 - 16 Week Courses |
Academic Year 2026 - 8 Week Courses |
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Before the first day of the semester 100%
Calendar Day 1-10 100%
Calendar Day 11-17 75%
Calendar Day 18-22 50%
Calendar Day 23-27 25%
Calendar Day 28+ 0%
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Before the first day of classes 100%
Calendar Day 1-4 100%
Calendar Day 5-9 50%
Calendar Day 10-19 25%
Calendar Day 20+ 0%
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Financial Wellness and Outreach
The Financial Wellness and Outreach area supports students in making informed decisions about paying for college and managing their finances during and after their time at the university. Our team provides personalized advising on financial aid, as well as peer-to-peer coaching on financial wellness topics such as budgeting, saving, understanding credit, and planning for student loan repayment. This area also leads all outreach efforts for Student Financial Services, delivering workshops, presentations, and campus-wide communication to ensure students and families have timely, accurate information to successfully navigate the financial aspects of their education.
Residency Student Classification
The following Trustee regulations govern the classification of students at the University of Wyoming as resident or non-resident for tuition purposes, and shall be administered by the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Registrar. (Trustee Regulation, Chapter VIII, Section 3.) See the University Regulations online for the most up-to-date version.
Student Classification for Tuition Assessment
Residing in Wyoming primarily as a student will not support a claim for resident status for tuition purposes. Qualifying for residency for tuition purposes at the University of Wyoming differs from what is normally required to be a “resident” of the State of Wyoming. A person may be considered a “resident” of Wyoming and still be a Non-Resident for tuition purposes at the University of Wyoming.
The governing regulation for residency classification for tuition and fee purposes, as approved by the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees, is UW Regulation 2-200. See the University Regulations online for the most up-to-date version.
Process
The University of Wyoming will determine the initial classification of resident or nonresident status for tuition purposes. Students classified as nonresidents who feel they meet residency requirements may apply to change their status through a form approved by the Office of the Registrar.
If a student classified as an out-of-state resident for tuition purposes wishes to petition their residency status at the University of Wyoming, they will need to conclusively demonstrate they have established a permanent home in Wyoming. Students must submit the Petition for Residency for Tuition Purposes, along with all specified relevant, appropriate, and verifiable documentation to the Office of the Registrar. The deadline for submission is no later than 5 p.m. of the first day of classes for the semester the student wishes to petition, based off of the University’s academic calendar. The student bears the burden of providing documentation to show a permanent home has been established in Wyoming based on the required criteria of UW Regulation 8-1(III)(B)(8). See the University Regulations online for the most up-to-date version.
The Registrar or designee will evaluate the student’s petition and documentation to determine whether the student has established a permanent home in Wyoming based on the requirements set forth in UW Regulation 8-1(III)(B)(8) or met any other residency criteria in UW Regulation 8-1. See the University Regulations online for the most up-to-date version. If a student subsequently meets the criteria of being a resident for tuition purposes, the student’s residency status will be reclassified by the Office of the Registrar and the resident tuition rate will become effective the semester the student submitted the petition. Under no circumstances will any tuition or fee adjustments be retroactively applied to previous semesters.
If a student’s petition is denied, the student will be notified in writing of the denial.
Appealing the Registrar’s Decision
If a student has a petition denied by the Registrar, the student may appeal the decision by submitting the Denied Residency Petition Appeal form to the Office of the Registrar within ten (10) calendar days of the original decision by the Registrar or designee.
The Residency Classification Committee will receive the student’s Denied Residency Petition Appeal form, the written decision of the Registrar, and the student’s previously-submitted petition and documentation which were submitted to the Registrar prior to the submission deadline for that semester. The Residency Classification Committee will determine if an error was made by the Registrar and will make a decision to affirm or reverse the classification decision of the Registrar. The decision of the Residency Classification Committee is final and there is no further level of appeal for that semester.
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