UPDATED 06/01/2021
Washington’s public baccalaureate college and universities are committed to easing COVID-19 related disruptions so as not to disadvantage students’ ability to strive for and attain an education at a Washington public four-year college or university.
The following questions and answers only pertain to Washington’s public four-year college and universities: Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, The Evergreen State College, University of Washington, Washington State University and Western Washington University.
Prospective Students Fall 2021 and Beyond
What are Washington’s public four-year college and universities plans for fall 2021 instruction?
Washington’s public four-year college and universities plan to return to primarily in-person instruction sector-wide starting fall 2021. Specific plans for resumption of fall classes, including health and safety measures and other services and programs, will be announced by each institution as they continue to coordinate closely with local public health agencies and follow all local and state health guidelines.
More information for each institution can be found below:
Central Washington University
Eastern Washington University
The Evergreen State College
University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Will COVID-19 vaccines be required for fall 2021?
Most of Washington’s public four-year college and universities will require students, staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for fall 2021. Information regarding who is required to be vaccinated, exemptions, how to be vaccinated and how this information will be verified is determined at the institutional level.
More information for each institution can be found below:
Central Washington University
Eastern Washington University
The Evergreen State College
University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
What are the deadlines for undergraduate admission to a Washington public four-year colleges or university for fall 2021?
Deadlines and contacts for fall 2021 undergraduate first-time, first-year student admissions to Washington’s public four-year college or universities may be found here.
It is important to note that for many of the institutions these are “priority” deadlines. Priority deadlines are dates set by colleges and universities by which applications are given the most consideration must be received. Priority deadlines precede regular decision deadlines.
However, most of Washington’s public four-year college and universities continue to accept applications for fall 2021 beyond these initial deadlines.
We strongly encourage (En Español) students who have applied or are considering applying to enroll in one of our nationally recognized public four-year institutions.
What flexibility have institutions considered for fall 2021 undergraduate applicants?
Washington’s public four-year college and universities are integrating flexibility into admissions processes to ease, to the extent possible, the disruption of COVID-19 for fall 2021 applicants.
First-Time, First Year Students
We recognize that while students must satisfy high school graduation requirements and meet minimum college admission requirements for freshman, our institutions will not disadvantage 2021 fall applicants due to the pandemic’s effects on education delivery. The Washington Student Achievement Council revised the Minimum Admission Standards for public four-year college and universities. In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Admission Standards policy was revised on April 27, 2020 to allow for institutional flexibility for fall 2021 admissions.
Transfer Students
Washington’s public four-year institutions integrated flexibility into the transfer process to ease, to the extent possible, the disruption for Washington’s community and technical college students. Our institutions will not disadvantage 2021 fall applicants due to the pandemic’s effects on education delivery. In addition, our institutions continue to collaborate with Washington’s community and technical colleges to communicate the most recent policies and practices to ensure that students are successful in attaining their education and career goals.
Graduate and Professional Programs
Washington’s public four-year college and universities integrated flexibility into admissions processes to ease, to the extent possible, the disruption of COVID-19 for fall 2021 applicants. We recognize that students must meet institution and program admission requirements for graduate and professional programs, our institutions will not disadvantage 2021 fall applicants due to the pandemic’s effects on education delivery. The Washington Student Achievement Council revised the Graduate Admission Standards Policy for public four-year college and universities. In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Graduate Admission Standards policy (Policy 3.4) was revised on November 23, 2020 to allow for institutional flexibility for fall 2021 graduate and professional program admissions.
Will institutions require the ACT/SAT for admission for fall 2021?
Washington’s public four-year college and universities will be permanently SAT and ACT test optional beginning fall 2021. Students will not be penalized during the admissions process nor will student eligibility for institutional supported scholarships, course placement or admissions to Honors programs be impacted due to the absence of a SAT or ACT standardized test score.
Is financial aid still available?
Yes. High school and transfer students should still apply for financial aid for the 2021-22 academic/school year. It is not too late. The first step is to complete the FAFSA or WASFA. To learn more, go here.
How do I apply for financial aid?
My or my family’s financial situation has changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Can I/we be considered for additional aid?
Washington’s public four-year college and universities understand that financial circumstances may have changed or may change in the coming months. If that’s your situation, please visit the campus financial aid office website. Campus financial aid websites also have contact information, including the best way to reach the financial aid office during remote operations for further assistance.
To learn more about financial aid and your intended institution, please contact the Office of Financial Aid for your intended college or university and college and university Office of Financial Aid websites are listed below.
• Central Washington University: http://www.cwu.edu/financial-aid/involuntary-loss-income
• Eastern Washington University: https://www.ewu.edu/apply/financial-aid-scholarships-office/
• The Evergreen State College: https://www.evergreen.edu/financialaid
• University of Washington: https://www.washington.edu/financialaid/
• Washington State University: https://financialaid.wsu.edu/
• Western Washington University: http://www.finaid.wwu.edu/
Will campus visits, tours and information sessions be offered in-person?
Institutions are planning for in-person campus visits and tours this summer. To learn more about your intended institution, please contact the Office of Admissions for your intended college or university.
Contact Information