View our EdD Early Childhood specialization completion requirements
Minimum degree requirements:
60 quarter credits
- Core courses (50 cr.)
- Capstone (10 cr.)
What Is Federal Financial Aid?
If you’re a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, you may be able to receive federal financial aid1 to help you fund your higher education. Walden University is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in a variety of grant and loan programs.
If you plan on using financial aid, we recommend that you start your FAFSA now.
What Are Your Options?
We’re your partner in this process. Once you’re admitted and we receive your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), we’ll inform you of your federal financial aid options via your Walden myFinAid portal. Some federal student aid programs have their own eligibility criteria in addition to general eligibility requirements. Filling out the FAFSA is your first step!
Federal Student Loans
Funds that you borrow and must pay back with interest
Federal loans are funds that you borrow and must pay back with interest.
UNDERGRADUATE
GRADUATE
Federal Grants
Federal grants are funds that typically do not have to be repaid.
Walden participates in the following federal grant programs.
UNDERGRADUATE
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- Special Rule for Pell Grants
GRADUATE
Eligibility
Most U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens can apply for federal financial aid if they meet eligibility requirements.
Maintaining Your Financial Aid
Your financial aid eligibility could change for a variety of reasons. Make sure you’re aware of the requirements to continue to receive financial aid every term.
Maintaining Eligibility: There are federal requirements and Walden-specific requirements to maintain your federal student aid. Be sure to complete a FAFSA application each year and review the terms and conditions for financial aid.
Regaining Eligibility: If you lose federal financial aid eligibility, there may be something you can do to get it back.
Lifetime Limits: There are limits to the amount of federal aid you can receive. It’s important to understand how much you have used and how much you have left to complete your educational goals. Make sure to explore all your options and that you have your FSA ID and password to log in.
Responsible Borrowing
We encourage you to borrow only what you need to earn your degree. Walden will offer you the amount of student loans for which you’re eligible, but you can reduce that amount.
To determine how much loan money to accept, make a list of your college and living expenses and the resources you’ll have available to pay them. Take a look at your long-term goals to see if borrowing less now will leave you with more options later.
You’re responsible for knowing the total amount you’ve borrowed in federal financial aid and how much you have left toward your lifetime limits. You can see a summary of your federal loan debt at StudentAid.gov.
Your federal student aid loans go into repayment when you drop below half-time enrollment, leave school, or graduate. At that time, you’re required to complete loan exit counseling.
The federal government offers several repayment plan options. Before you choose a repayment plan, use the Loan Simulator to see which plans you may be eligible for, how much you’ll owe overall, and what your monthly payment might be.
For Washington State residents seeking information and resources about student loan repayment or seeking to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at [email protected].
Getting started with FAFSA®
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is an important step for determining your eligibility for federal aid. It is highly recommended that you submit your form while applying for admission or at least eight weeks before the renewal date of your existing loan to avoid any delays or interruptions in receiving financial aid.
GET PREPARED
Never filled out the FAFSA? The first step is getting your FSA ID and gathering the documents you’ll need. The FSA ID is your access to your Federal Student Aid account, which you will use along with your Walden myFinAid account for managing your federal financial aid.
COMPLETE THE FAFSA
Walden’s school code is 025042. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool* when completing the 2023–2024 FAFSA. We’ll receive your FAFSA a few days after it’s completed.
*The IRS Data Retrieval Tool will no longer be used beginning with the 2024–2025 FAFSA, and students along with contributors will need to provide authorization to the IRS for direct data exchange.
REVIEW YOUR FAFSA SUBMISSION SUMMARY
Once we receive your FAFSA information, you may begin using Walden’s myFinAid portal to monitor the status of your financial aid information. We’ll notify you by email if you are required to submit additional information to us through your myFinAid portal.
RESPOND TO YOUR AID OFFER
Once we determine your eligibility, you’ll receive an email notifying you that your offer is available for review. Responding includes the following steps:
- Accept or adjust your aid offer.
- Complete loan counseling
- Complete the Master Promissory Note.
RECEIVE AID
Once you’ve accepted your offer and your loans have originated, your federal student aid funds will be waiting for disbursement to Walden. After the term has started and all admission requirements are completed, the Office of the Bursar will apply these funds to your outstanding bill. If there is any money left on your account after your tuition and fees are paid, the Office of the Bursar will send it to you as a refund within 14 days of the disbursement date.
RENEW YOUR FAFSA
The FAFSA is specific to a single academic year and must be submitted each year for you to be considered for federal student aid. It is important to note that to remain eligible for federal aid, you must meet specific requirements, including enrolling at least half time, meeting all participation requirements for your courses, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
We’re your partner in this process.
In 2022–2023 , the U.S. Department of Education provided $240.7 billion in federal financial aid to postsecondary students. We can help you find the right financial aid to complete your studies.
Policies and Disclosures
We want you to understand what impacts your financial aid at Walden. Use the links below to learn more about the process.
Financial Services processes applications for federal student aid and handles all questions relating to federal financial aid. To contact a Walden financial services advisor, phone 1-800-925-3368.
Federal Financial Aid FAQ
Is there a Financial Aid Glossary?
Yes. You can refer to Walden’s financial aid glossary to better understand financial aid terms.
Where can I find more resources about federal financial aid?
Visit studentaid.gov/resources to browse articles, fact sheets, online tools, and other helpful resources to help you prepare and pay for college.
How do I apply for federal student loans?
Applying for federal financial assistance is a two-part process consisting of (1) completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and notification of eligibility, and (2) acceptance of the financial aid offer and completion of the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling. This process takes approximately two to four weeks from the initial application through the receipt of funds. New students are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA application at the same time they are applying for admission. Continuing students are required to complete a renewal FAFSA for each award year they are enrolled. It is recommended to fill out the FAFSA renewal form when it becomes available from the Department of Education, usually in October. It is important to complete this at least eight weeks before the renewal date of each award year.
Which FAFSA application do I need to fill out?
- If you started your Walden program on or after May 29, 2023, fill out the 2023–2024 FAFSA.
- If you are starting your Walden program on or after May 27, 2024, fill out the 2024–2025 FAFSA.
Does federal financial aid pay for books and materials?
You can use your federal student loans to pay for books and materials, but books are not automatically paid for out of your financial aid. If there is money left on your account after your tuition and fees are paid, you can use the excess funds to cover the cost of books and materials. If you are in need, and your financial aid process is complete, you can request a book advance 30 days before the start of the term. The book advance is an advance on your financial aid funds, up to $500.
When would I receive my federal financial aid refund?
If there is any money left on your account after your tuition and fees are paid, Walden’s Office of the Bursar will send it to you as a refund within 14 days of the disbursement date.
Will I have enough federal financial aid to pay for my entire program?
A variety of factors impact the overall cost of your Walden program, and availability of financial aid including (but not limited to):
- Length of time you are in your program
- Transfer of credit eligibility
- Fees associated with residencies
- Cost of books and/or class materials
A Walden Enrollment Specialist can help you determine a personalized estimate of program cost to help guide you in your funding decisions.
What is the deadline to apply for federal financial aid?
The Office of Financial Services processes offers on a rolling basis. It is strongly recommended that you complete your FAFSA application at the same time you are applying for admission, or eight weeks prior to the renewal date of your existing loan. You must have a complete FAFSA within 30 days prior to the end of the term for funds to be processed for that term or financial aid award year. A complete application includes all documents required for offering and disbursing financial aid funds.