First Year Grants

First Year Grant recipients for the 2021-22 academic year will receive a $1,115 computer grant, a $500 bookstore credit, and $1,000 start-up grant.

$1,115 Technology Grant Fund:
This grant will fully cover a computer meeting minimum requirements for the undergraduate divisions. These funds will not show up on your financial aid award but are available to you through a account at the WashU Campus Bookstore and can only be used to purchase a laptop computer. This computer must be purchased during the Fall 2021 semester and these funds will not roll over to Spring 2022.

$1,000 Startup Grant Funds:
These funds will continue to be reflected in your financial aid award which you can see in your NetPartner portal. These funds can be used for necessary school items including but not limited to school supplies, residential hall supplies, and winter clothing. You are not required to purchase these items from one particular place or to show a proof of purchase.

$500 Bookstore Credit: These funds are sourced from the Startup Grant funds that will continue to be reflected in your financial aid award and will be available to you beginning August 6, 2021. The funds will roll over each semester if not used.

Please refer to the WashU Tech Den website for detailed information on the type of computer you will need. Each school has different requirements. You can find several computer options on the WashU Campus Bookstore website for purchase.

WashU students are required to have a laptop that meets or exceeds the minimum laptop specifications for their class or school.

It’s important to be able to take your school-work mobile. You will use it to take notes in class, for studying with your class-mates in the library, in study rooms or other campus locations or for remote online learning.

For more information on laptop requirements and questions please visit WashU Tech Den.

Yes. Your $1,115 technology grant must be used at the bookstore. You may choose which computer you would like to purchase from the bookstore’s WashU Approved options, but note that the laptop purchase must also include a 3-year accident warranty. If your model does not list a 3-year warranty bundle, contact the Campus Store at CampusStoreTech@wustl.edu so it can be added to the grant purchase and enrolled. 

Please note: Beginning August 6, you can also combine some of your $250 bookstore credit with your computer purchase if the computer amount exceeds your $1,115 grant, but keep in mind your bookstore credit could be used for other items like schoolbooks as well.  

No. Technology Grant Funds must be used in Fall of 2021, these will not roll over. If they are not used you will lose them.

Your technology grant funds through the bookstore are now available to use. You can purchase your laptop via the order form that was emailed to you on July 26.

You can use your technology grant via the order form that was emailed directly to you on July 26. If you want to use a portion of your bookstore credit to help cover computer chargers that exceed the technology grant amount, please be sure to note this on the order form.

If you have questions about purchasing a computer or other items through the bookstore please email CampusStoreTech@wustl.edu.

You will pick up your computer in person at the bookstore once you arrive to campus.  

WashU will not be able to reimburse you for a computer you have already purchased. However, you can however use the Technology Grant to purchase a second laptop if you wish. 

Each semester recipients will receive a $250 bookstore credit. This credit can be used for any item at the bookstore including but not limited to books, technology, and school supplies.

Yes. If you do not use all of your bookstore credit for the fall semester the funds will roll over to the spring semester. 

Each semester first year grant recipients will receive $500 in startup grants funds, for a total of $1,000 for the student’s first year. Students will receive an email from WashU once the funds are available. You can expect your fall funds to be available in early August.

Startup grant recipients for 21-22 will receive their funds through a bank direct deposit or by check.  All checks will be mailed to students’ permanent home address. Each student will need to set up direct deposit through WebSTAC by August 2.

Visit WebSTAC to receive your grant funds, refunds and other disbursements through a direct deposit to your checking or savings account.

The startup grant funds are meant to help offset the extra “startup” costs first-year students experience like school supplies, residential hall supplies, winter clothing, etc.

No. We do not track what you purchase with your start-up grant funds. Each student’s needs are different and we leave it up to the student to decide what they need to purchase for their first-year. 

No. The startup grant funds are meant to offset some of the extra costs first-year students experience outside of tuition, fees, and room and board. These funds are a resource to our students so they can fully engage in academic and campus life without the extra burden of unexpected college costs.

Since the startup grant funds are meant to pay for additional costs outside of tuition, fees, and room and board credit for these funds do not show up on your student billing account. The funds will be directly deposited to your bank account or mailed to your permanent home for you to use. 

Some students who qualify for the startup grant may also qualify for a refund through WashU. If you are eligible for that refund you will receive those funds at the beginning of each semester in addition to your startup grant money. This refund will be available to you through direct deposit or a physical check mailed to your permanent address, whichever is set up on your student account during the time of disbursement. If you have questions about the amount of your refund, please reach out to your Student Financial Services Counselor.

Your $1,550 summer earnings expectation for entering students has been waived, increasing your overall aid. You will be able to see this in your financial aid award as “summer earnings expectation replacement grant.” A credit of $775 will be automatically applied toward university charges at the beginning of each semester for the 2021-22 school year. 

Check out our Financial Literacy page to learn more tips on how to budget in college. You can also meet with you Student Financial Services Counselor with additional questions or needs you may have throughout your four years at WashU! 

Check out https://techden.wustl.edu – a new site that brings together each school’s recommended hardware specifications and more.