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Parents & Families

Out-of-state students

Welcome to Washington!

No matter the distance, we know supporting your Husky is a top priority. Whether you are just a short drive or several time zones away, UW Parent & Family Programs is here to help you stay connected and involved in your student’s college journey.

One place to start: Our Parent & Family Guide. It’s full of information on everything from campus tutoring centers to student housing options to mental-health resources. Also don’t miss our Talk With Your Husky resource, where you’ll find tips and ideas for developing a communication plan and engaging in meaningful conversation.

Seattle is a world-class city that offers its residents a unique mix of urban amenities and outdoor living. We’re excited to welcome your student and your family to our corner of the country!

Support for every situation

Adjusting to college life can be challenging — that’s why the UW offers a variety of resources to assist with everything from mental health to academics to money management. It’s normal for students to feel homesick or overwhelmed from time to time. You can help your Husky by knowing what resources are available and encouraging them to be proactive about seeking support. See our Academics and Health & Safety pages for more information.

Common out-of-state student questions

Common out-of-state student questions

Every schedule is different, and it’s up to you and your student to decide when and how frequently to have check-ins. For in-person visits, it may be helpful to consult the UW academic calendar so you can avoid busy times like finals week or midterms.

Student Fiscal Services is a one-stop shop for navigating the ins and outs of paying for college. You’ll also find tax forms, due dates and deadlines, and student loan information. Tuition can be paid through your student’s MyUW account. They must submit an online Information Release Authorization to give family members or others access to tuition billing and reminders.

Join our official first-year families facebook group. Reach out to our office and we can connect you with region and out-of-state groups.

Many of the city’s top destinations are located on or near the UW campus. Learn more about attractions, lodging and dining across the city at Visit Seattle. Interested in outdoor recreation? UWild is a great way for your student to explore Washington’s renowned wilderness areas and public lands.

The UW has several programs and resources to help keep students safe, including nighttime escort services, a 24-7 safety hotline and an emergency alert system. Visit our Health & Safety page for more information.

There are many hotels within walking distance of the university, and the entirety of the downtown Seattle hotel scene is easily accessible to campus via Light Rail. Private short-term rentals are also available in adjacent neighborhoods. Learn more about hotel accommodations.

Ranging from sun-drenched summers to artistically grey winters, precipitation is typically a light mist. In fact, Seattle is only the 24th rainiest city in the U.S. with an average annual rainfall of 38.6 inches. While many in the area won’t bother to carry an umbrella, a good rain jacket is a staple in the Puget Sound area, especially between the wetter months of October through May. The typical Northwest weather pattern is characterized by wonderfully warm (but not too hot or humid) summers, upper 70-80s on average, and moderate winters with low 40s on average.

The UW is an expansive campus with uncountable beautiful places to explore. Find your way around all corners of the campus with UW Maps.

Visit the Student Financial Aid webpages for information about all types of aid, including scholarships, grants and emergency relief funds. Counselors are also available for one-on-one appointments. Learn more about how our Financial Aid office helps our out of state students.

UW Medicine and Hall Health are contracted with many insurance plans, you can view the contracted insurance plans.

The only way to know for sure if your plan is contracted is to call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card to complete the Know Your Benefits worksheet.

If your insurance does not contract with Hall Health Center and UW Medicine, but does work with other providers in Seattle, you can review the list. You can also check your insurance company’s website to search for additional contracted providers.

Did you know?

LiveWell is a holistic program that empowers UW students by giving them the skills and knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

LiveWell uses both the expertise of professional staff and passion of Peer Health Educators to provide evidenced-based health promotion, education and prevention services. Learn more on the LiveWell website.