The School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) provides access to a world-class education that students can afford. CAPS is designed to meet the educational needs of those who are seeking to expand their professional knowledge, who wish to earn a degree or certificate, or who are lifelong learners with a yen to explore new fields and interests. 

We realize that financing an education can be a challenge. Explore our tuition payment methods for guidance or look over financial aid terminology to gain a better understanding of the terms and definitions related to student aid.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition rates for School of Continuing & Professional Studies undergraduate and graduate courses can be found online on the Tuition & Financial Aid webpage. Tuition varies according to course and program.

Tuition Payment

All tuition and fees must be paid in full at the time of registration. Acceptable methods of payment include cash, check, credit card, approved financial aid, and approved employer tuition reimbursement plans.

Refunds

All refunds are calculated from the date on which the student completes an online course change form. If the original payment was made by credit card, a refund will be applied to the student's credit card. Otherwise, a check will be generated for the refund amount. Check refunds can be picked up at the Student Financial Services office in the Sumers Welcome Center. Checks not picked up within two weeks are mailed to the student’s local address.

The School of Continuing & Professional Studies grants full refunds to individuals called to active military duty.

More information can be found on the Refund Policies & Deadlines webpage.

Financial Aid & Tuition

Financial assistance is available to part-time and full-time School of Continuing & Professional Studies students in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, tax credits, remission, and payment plans. An approved financial aid award must be verified prior to registration. Learn more about available financial aid at the School of Continuing & Professional Studies.

• St. Louis Area Civic & School District Tuition Assistance
• Veteran Benefits
  • VA, GI Bill, and Yellow Ribbon Program benefits are available. Learn more about our benefit programs for military students.
• Contractor Services Scholarship Program
  • Contract employees who work full time on Washington University’s campuses are encouraged to take classes at the School of Continuing & Professional Studies for free or reduced cost. This program allows employees to earn a degree or certificate or to simply explore their interests in a stimulating academic setting. Learn more about the Contractor Services Scholarship program.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal and state regulations require that educational institutions measure students' academic progress toward a declared educational objective. To remain eligible and retain disbursed federal and state financial aid, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. To remain in good standing, students must satisfy the following requirements:

• Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 6 units of course work during each of the fall, spring, and summer semesters, with a C (2.0) minimum grade-point average.
• Graduate students must complete a minimum of 4.5 units of course work during each of the fall and spring semesters (3 credit units during the summer), with a B (3.0) minimum GPA.

In addition, all students receiving financial aid are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that a significant portion of the courses in which the students are enrolled have been successfully completed.

Other Financial Assistance and Payment Options

Half Tuition for Individuals 60 Years Old and Older: People 60 years old and older may enroll for credit in most School of Continuing & Professional Studies courses at half of the regular tuition. Exceptions include courses in applied music; independent courses (i.e., independent study, directed research, master's thesis); special programs; and courses in which enrollment is limited. This discount cannot be combined with the Washington University Tuition Assistance benefit, School of Continuing & Professional Studies scholarships, or military benefits. A birth certificate, driver's license, or other official verification of age must be provided at the time of registration.

Washington University Employees: Full-time Washington University employees and their families are eligible for School of Continuing & Professional Studies tuition remission. Learn more about Washington University’s Employee Tuition Assistance program.

Postdoctoral Appointees: Individuals appointed under the Postdoctoral Education Policy (effective July 1, 2004) having the titles of Postdoctoral Research Associate and Postdoctoral Research Scholar are eligible for the Postdoctoral Tuition Plan. Qualified individuals receive tuition remission on up to 4 credits per semester of School of Continuing & Professional Studies undergraduate for-credit course work. Courses may be taken at any time during the day or evening but must be taken at the undergraduate level (400 and below) and for career development purposes only. Courses may be taxable to Postdoctoral Research Scholars (non-employees). A passing grade in the course is required for the student to retain the tuition remission. For more information, visit the Employee Tuition Assistance webpage.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement: Many companies in the St. Louis area pay all or part of their employees' tuition. If your employer has a tuition reimbursement plan that pays all or part of your tuition, you can defer all or part of the tuition until the end of the semester. (This option requires written verification at the time of registration.) Interested individuals should contact their supervisor or personnel/human resources department at their place of employment to determine if a tuition reimbursement plan is available. Payment is due approximately 30 days after the end of the semester. This payment option is not available during the summer. For more information, visit the Tuition & Fees webpage.

Dependent Child Benefits: After seven years of full-time service (or its equivalent if one works part-time), eligible dependent children may receive up to eight semesters of tuition assistance for undergraduate studies. The level of benefit paid is determined by the date of hire and full- or part-time status at the time the employee utilizes the benefit. Tuition assistance benefits are tax-free for birth, adopted and stepchildren. Benefits for children of domestic partners are a taxable benefit to the employee. Note: Prior full-time service at another accredited university may count toward the service requirement for this benefit. Washington University provides two forms of tuition assistance benefits for dependent children of its full- and part-time employees who meet certain eligibility requirements: (1) a full tuition remission benefit at Washington University and a partial tuition remission benefit at other accredited institutions for the dependent children of full-time employees; and (2) a partial tuition remission benefit at Washington University and other accredited institutions for the dependent children of part-time employees. Learn more about the Dependent Child Tuition Assistance benefit.

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