PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University (WSU) students are facing financial changes with tuition increases and potential federal policy shifts.
Undergraduate students will see an additional $373 added to their tuition bills, bringing the total to about $18,000 per year, including food and housing.Non-resident tuition will increase by nearly $1,000, totaling $30,000 annually. Graduate student tuition will rise by $431 per academic year.
During a recent meeting, federal initiatives in the “Big Beautiful Bill” were discussed, focusing on their impact on WSU students.
Pell Grants, a critical resource for tuition, books, and living expenses, face changes that could affect three million students’ eligibility.
Lisa Keohokalole Schauer of the WSU Board of Regents emphasized the need for flexibility in addressing future issues. “I think we are going to continue to see that theme… the ability of our leadership team and our faculty and staff to adapt and pivot,” she said.
Concerns also arose over potential cuts to Federal Grad PLUS Loans and subsidized loans, along with a borrowing cap that could hinder students’ ability to finish their education.
“Federal Policies will definitely impact the ability of our state,” WSU Vice President of External Affairs Glynda Becker-Fenter said, reflecting the potential challenges these changes pose. The meeting also approved WSU’s multimillion-dollar operating budget, along with the athletic department’s substantial budget.
In facing uncertainty with federal financing, WSU plans to innovate in supporting research and serving communities.
“Not just on raising voices to support what we have done in the past and the way it used to be, but to design entirely new ways to support our research and our capacity to serve our communities,” WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell said.
This approach aims to strengthen WSU’s role as “Washington’s University,” as the institution navigates these financial challenges.
