Can I get a reduced rate for tuition?

This article presents the different programs for discounted tuition or tuition waivers.

Wichita State University offers a variety of programs for discounted tuition or tuition waivers. Once you have submitted your application and any required documentation, please allow at least 1-2 business days for a decision to be made. Additionally, some of the tuition discounts are automatic with your WSU admission. Please note that during peak times, this time frame may be a little longer. For information on the current cost for tuition and fees, click here.

For detailed information on eligibility, steps to apply and contact information for each of these tuition discounts or waivers, please review the information below. 

Note: Waiver will be reflected in the Student Account Suite when student is enrolled in, and fees are assessed for, the applicable semester:

• Fall semester - July
• Spring semester - December
• Summer semester - April
   

Choice Act

Wichita State is an active participant of the Choice Act. This program is designed for eligible veterans and active duty military members and their dependents to provide residency for tuition purposes.

Eligibility
If you are considered a Non-Resident of Kansas at WSU, but are current military, military spouse/dependent, or a veteran or spouse/dependent of a veteran who separated from active duty within the past three (3) years, you may be eligible for in-state tuition.

Questions
If you have additional questions, wish to receive information, or submit an Application for Kansas Resident Classification for Current Military Personnel/Spouse/Dependents and Eligible Veterans/Spouse/Dependents, please contact the Registrar's Office. 

For additional information regarding this program and contact information for a Veterans Services representative, please click here.

 

Foster Care Waiver

 

If you are, or have been, in foster care and are seeking tuition/fee assistance, you must complete and return an application to the Registrar’s Office. Assistance will be provided if you meet eligibility criteria and the legislative appropriations are available for this purpose. The Kansas Department for Children and Families central office must verify your eligibility status prior to enrollment.

Eligibility
This program provides for undergraduate enrollment through the semester you reach 23 years of age. You must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Enrolled in a Kansas educational institution on or after July 1, 2006; AND
2. In custody of the Secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families and in a foster care placement on the date you reached 18 years of age; OR
3. Released from custody of the Secretary prior to age 18, after having graduated from high school or fulfilled the requirements for a GED while in foster care placement and in the custody of the Secretary; OR
4. Adopted from a foster care placement on or after 16th birthday; OR
5. Left a foster care placement subject to a guardianship under chapter 38 or 59 of the K.S.A. on or after 16th birthday; AND
6. You must remain in good academic standing and make satisfactory progress toward completion of the requirements of the educational program in which you are enrolled.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete an application for admission at Apply today to Wichita State University - Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas
2. To determine eligibility for assistance, complete the Foster Child Education Assistance Program form.
3. Bring the completed form to the Registrar's Office.

Questions
If you meet all of the criteria for this tuition assistance, your student account will reflect a payment with a foster care description. If you do not see the tuition assistance on your student account, these may be potential reasons why:

• Have not yet enrolled for the upcoming semester 
• Did not maintain good academic standing
• Have aged out of the system (see eligibility)

If you have already completed the paperwork and have questions, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Global Select

WSU offers a discount on the non-resident portion of tuition for qualifying undergraduate and graduate students. The Global Select rate is provided to students in the form of a scholarship. For eligibility requirements, estimated scholarship awards, and how to apply for the Global Select rate, visit www.wichita.edu/GlobalSelect.

Legacy Tuition Waiver

Wichita State University will provide resident tuition rates to a non-resident student whose parent, step-parent, legal guardian, grandparent or step-grandparent graduated from WSU with an associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral degree.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete an application for admission at wichita.edu/apply
2. Complete the Legacy Tuition Waiver Form
3. Submit to the Registrar's Office with supporting documentation

Waivers will be applied within the current academic year. The non-resident to resident rate tuition will be approved when all the information has been verified. Once the review has been completed, the waiver will be applied to your account.

 

Midwest Student Exchange Program

This program enables legal residents of certain states to enroll in designated majors at a reduced tuition rate – 150% of resident tuition rates instead of non-resident tuition rates.

Eligibility
You are eligible for this program if you are a legal resident of one of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin. You must also meet the academic requirements and be majoring in one of the approved programs listed here.

Steps to Apply
There is no formal application for the Midwest Student Exchange Program at Wichita State. All new students who meet the requirements and follow the steps below are members of MSEP and receive the tuition discount for as long as you maintain eligibility.

1. Meet WSU’s academic and residency requirements for MSEP (outlined at www.wichita.edu/msep)
2. Complete the application for admissions at wichita.edu/apply.
           a. Full admission to WSU as an undergraduate student
           b. Full or contingent admission to the WSU Graduate School
3. Officially declare an MSEP-eligible degree-bound major through the Office of Admissions or Graduate School (or through your academic advisor after being enrolled).
4. Sign and return the MSEP agreement included with the invitation letter. Invitation letters are sent automatically to qualifying prospective students.

Once steps 1-4 above are completed, your fee bill will be adjusted to reflect the MSEP tuition discount. This happens in July for fall semester, December for spring semester, and May for summer semester. If your fees have not been adjusted, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@wichita.edu.

During the rest of your time at WSU, your name will be automatically included on the MSEP-eligible list every semester if you maintain eligibility (i.e. major, GPA, progress toward degree). No further action is required on your part.

Requirements to continue in MSEP program

• Maintain the minimum GPA requirement for your academic program
• Remain in a qualified academic major
• Make satisfactory progress toward your degree

Questions
For any additional questions about the MSEP program or if you haven’t received an invitation within two weeks of completing steps 1-3 above, please contact Kristi Hughes at kristi.hughes@wichita.edu or 316-978-3073 in the Registrar's Office.

Paraguay Partners

If a student is receiving tuition assistance from Paraguay Partners and their out-of-state tuition is still on their myWSU Student Account Suite, they should wait 24 hours after enrollment to see if the waiver is reflected on their account. If it is not reflected in Student Account Suite, they will need to contact the International Education Office directly for approval at the Shocker Success Center, Suite 003 (Lower Level West) or by phone at 316-978-3232.
 

Kansas Residents Aged 60 Years and Older

In accordance with the Kansas Board of Regents policy, students who are at least 60 years of age and a resident of Kansas may audit (no-credit) regular lecture or certain group activity courses - when there is space available and for which they meet the prerequisites - without payment of tuition, student support services fees, campus infrastructure fees, and technology and transportation fees. Occasionally, a course may have incidental costs for supplies needed to participate in class activities. In those cases, auditors will be responsible for those expenses.

 

Shocker City Partnership

This program is designed for non-resident students whose residency is in specific counties surrounding the following metropolitan areas: Kansas City, St. Louis, Denver, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston and San Antonio.  If you meet eligibility requirements, you will pay resident (in state) rates for tuition.

You will need to submit your Application for Admission and once information has been verified and the review completed, the discount will be applied to your student account within the current academic year.

Note: Former WSU students need to complete the tuition discount application form; however, new students to WSU from these counties do not.

Eligibility
This program applies to residents of the following counties in specific states:

Colorado: 
Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, Jefferson, and Park 

Illinois: 
Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair 

Missouri: 
Andrew, Bates, Buchanan, Caldwell, Cass, Clay, Clinton, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Platte, Ray, St. Charles, St. Louis, and Warren

Oklahoma: 
Canadian, Cherokee, Cleveland, Creek, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington

Texas: 
Atacosa, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Bexar, Brazoria, Caldwell, Chambers, Collin, Comal, Coryell, Dallas, Delta, Denton, Ellis, Falls, Fort Bend, Galveston, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lampasas, Liberty, McLennan, Medina, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, Travis, Waller, Williamson, Wilson and Wise

Questions
For questions regarding how this discount is reflected on your account, please contact Accounts Receivable. To view any applicable statutes for waiver/exemption/discounts, visit the Accounts Receivable website.

Shocker Select (Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas Residents)

This program is designed for non-resident students who live in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas counties not covered by Shocker City Partnership. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will receive a discount of 33% off non-resident tuition which also means - 150% of resident tuition rates instead of non-resident tuition rates. 

You will need to submit your Application for Admission and once information has been verified and the review completed, the discount will be applied to your student account within the current academic year. 
Note: Former WSU students need to complete the tuition discount application form; however, new students to WSU from these counties do not.

Eligibility
Residents of Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas, excluding the counties listed above that are eligible for the Shocker City Partnership rate. 

Questions
For questions regarding how this discount is reflected on your account, please contact Accounts Receivable. To view any applicable statutes for waiver/exemption/discounts, visit the Accounts Receivable website.

WSU Employee and Dependent/Spouse Tuition Assistance

WSU offers both employee and dependent/spouse tuition assistance.

Employee Tuition Assistance
Available for benefits eligible, non-teaching employees. Deadlines are:

• Spring semester – December 1
• Fall semester – July 1
• Summer semester – April 15

For more information, please see WSU Policies and Procedures 3.42 / Tuition Assistance Program for Employees.

Dependent/Spouse Tuition Assistance
Available for dependent children and/or spouse of all full-time employees at WSU. Deadlines are:

• Fall semester – April 1 - July 1
• Spring semester – October 1 - December 1

For more information, please see WSU Policies and Procedures 3.43 / Tuition Assistance Program for Spouses and Dependent Children.

Note: Students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress to receive tuition assistance.

Process

• Once you are notified you will be receiving employee Tuition Assistance, it is entered on a weekly basis by the Office of Financial Aid. It will only be reflected in your Student Account Suite once you have enrolled in the appropriate class.
• If there is a remaining balance, it is because the Office of Human Resources is paying a flat fee for the class which was reflected in the award letter. If the class has additional fees not covered by the award, you will be responsible for the balance and all internet/off-campus fees.
• Student fees are waived for all WSU benefits eligible employees, adjunct faculty members, and lecturers. You must have an appointment for the semester in which the student fee is applicable. If the discount or waiver is not showing on your Student Account Suite, email wsuaccountsreceivable@wichita.edu.

For questions regarding how this discount is reflected on your account, please contact Accounts Receivable. To view any applicable statutes for waiver/exemption/discounts, visit the Accounts Receivable website.

Shocker Employee & Dependents Scholarship
Awarded to a full- or part-time, benefits eligible employee(s) of WSU, or their dependent (spouse and dependent children only). Applications must be received in the Office of Financial Aid by the close of business on the following dates:

• Fall semester – June 1
• Spring semester – November 1

For more information about these programs, visit with the WSU Office of Human Resources by calling 316-978-3065 or click here.
 

How discounted tuition or tuition waivers affect financial aid 

If you are receiving financial aid (scholarships, grants, work study, and/or student loans) and you receive a tuition discount/waiver, your financial aid award offer will be reviewed. The discounted tuition will be counted as a financial aid resource and considered in the calculation of your financial aid eligibility. Discounts may result in a recalculation of the financial aid offer as it may adjust your financial need. Any other financial aid you receive will be applied after the tuition discount. For questions about your specific discount and the impact on your financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Note: You may also apply for grants, loans and scholarships by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information about scholarships, visit our website at www.wichita.edu/scholarships.

Below are links to all the websites where the forms you need can be found.

Choice Act	Resident tuition for eligible veterans and active duty military
Foster Care Waiver	For students who were in the foster care system
Legacy Tuition Waiver	For relatives of WSU graduates to receive in-state tuition rates
Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP)	Students from certain Midwest states enrolling in specific programs pay 150% of in-state tuition rates
Kansas Residents Aged 60 Years and Older Tuition Waiver	Tuition is waived if age 60 or over for certain courses
Shocker City Partnership	In-state tuition rates for residents of specific counties in Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma & Texas (Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio areas)
Shocker Select	Residents of Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma & Texas (excluding those living in Shocker City Partnership counties) are eligible to pay 150% of in-state tuition rate
WSU Employee	Tuition assistance for employees, spouse and dependents