Financial Hardship

Financial Hardship Overview

The Financial Hardship program is a program intended to ensure students who have financial hardship and no or limited health insurance receive medical services at the WWU Student Health Center (SHC) at a cost that is based on their ability to pay for services up to and including care without charge. Regardless of insurance, WWU SHC does not discriminate when assessing eligibility for financial hardship, in accordance with university policies.   

Eligibility Criteria

The following options are available to apply: 

  • Prior to services: used for a student who does not have any insurance
  • After services: used for a student who has high out of pocket expenses after insurance has processed the claim(s). 

Students applying for financial hardship assistance must:

  • Have made every reasonable effort to obtain health insurance, including Medicaid.

AND meet one of the following criteria:

  • <300% of Federal Poverty Guidelines as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services for the current year, based on income and family size (note: if a student is a dependent, they may qualify for financial hardship if their family’s income is <300% of federal poverty guidelines and they do not otherwise qualify for Medicaid insurance). 
  • Student Aid Index (SAI) score below a specific threshold as determined by the WWU Financial Aid Office for the current academic year (to be posted on the SHC website).  

Application Process

To apply for Financial Hardship please log into your student portal and select Financial Hardship Application under "Downloadable Forms" or download the document here.

Upload completed form (including all additional backup documentation) into your Student Portal Scanned Documents (preferred option for student privacy) or email to Shcbilling@wwu.edu. 

SHC will review student’s  completed application and if they meet the eligibility criteria, their bill will be adjusted. SHC will provide a determination letter within 3-5 business days including details about any adjustments made to their bill.  

Students who meet eligibility criteria will be eligible for adjustments for the current academic year as long as their income and/or financial aid status remain unchanged. Students must re-apply for financial hardship assistance each academic year and upon any changes to income, insurance or financial aid status.