Walden University Help Center

We encourage applicants to request their official transcripts as soon as they decide to apply to Walden. An early request for official transcripts can help smooth the admissions process and ensure transfer of credit is correctly awarded, if eligible, and financial aid, if applicable, is processed without delay.

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 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. A good practice is to complete the renewal FAFSA when it becomes available in October, but at least eight weeks prior to each award year renewal date.

• If you started your program on or after May 31, 2021, fill out the 2021-2022 FAFSA.
• If you are starting your program on or after May 30, 2022, fill out the 2022-2023 FAFSA (available October 1, 2021).

No, but the best preparation for success in your program is to take advantage of it. You will have access to the classroom orientation in your portal for six months.

Walden's 2021 ceremony dates and locations are listed below. We will update the Commencement website with up to date information on logistics and ceremony details as we know more.

• Winter 2021 Commencement: February 4–6, 2021, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida
• Summer 2021 Commencement: August 26–28, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. For current information on upcoming dates, visit our Commencement page on the Walden website.

You can purchase WaldenGear at www.waldengear.com.

An unofficial transcript is one that has been previously opened by you or anyone else before being sent to Walden’s Admissions Office; an unofficial transcript is used for review only during the application and admissions process. An official transcript is sent directly to Walden from the registrar’s office of the institution you are requesting the transcript from.

You can apply to Walden using unofficial transcripts if all required information is included (name of institution previously attended, student name, grades earned, credits earned, degree earned, course names/numbers, and dates of attendance). But keep in mind, you will need your official transcripts to ensure transfer of credit is applied and financial aid is processed, if applicable.