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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is used to established eligibility for federal financial aid programs. The FAFSA is the application for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens (for example: permanent resident card/green card, conditional permanent resident, refugee).
The Washington State Financial Aid program (WASFA) is used if FAFSA is not an option. The WASFA is the application that undocumented non-citizens complete to access financial aid.
The 2026-2027 FAFSA and WASFA opens October 1, 2025. A complete FAFSA or WASFA is required for most scholarships, grants, and loans. High school seniors should apply early to get all of the financial aid that they are eligible for.
How does free college or career training sound?
WA Grant is one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country. The amount you receive depends on family size, income, and the cost of your school or program.
For example, in 2025-26, if your family of four makes:
$78,500 or less, your college or career training could be free!
Up to $131,000, you could get some money for college or training.
Free money for career training, college, or an apprenticeship—it’s possible!
Free money for career training, college, or an apprenticeship—it’s possible!
Washington College Grant (WA Grant) gives eligible people more money for more types of education like certificate programs, job training, apprenticeships, or college.
WA Grant is one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country. The amount you receive depends on family size, income, and the cost of your school or program.
For example, in 2025-26, if your family of four makes:
$78,500 or less, your college or career training could be free!
Up to $131,000, you could get some money for college or training.
Am I eligible?
Am I eligible?
Some people assume that they won’t be eligible for any financial aid because their family makes too much money, or because they didn’t do well in high school, are older, or are undocumented. That’s not the case.
WA Grant is available to the following people:
Washington residents (including undocumented people)
Recent high school graduates or working-age adults
Low- to middle-income families and individuals
People who plan to attend an approved certificate program, job training, apprenticeship, or college, part-time or full-time
College Bound's commitment to Washington students
College Bound's commitment to Washington students
Through the generous Washington College Grant (WA Grant), eligible College Bound students who fulfill the program requirements get free public college tuition, or an equivalent amount for an approved private college or career school. Students must apply for financial aid and attend a participating college in Washington.
EagleBot
EagleBot is a free texting service to support Washington high school students and their parents/guardians. In partnership between Elma High School & East Grays Harbor High School and the Washington Student Achievement Council, EagleBot is designed to provide info about financial aid, college planning, and reminders. By filling out this form, you will be signing up to receive text messages from EagleBot and to be able to text any questions about FAFSA/WASFA, financial aid or college planning. It's available 24/7 as a resource to help and guide you.
Washington State Financial Aid for Youth and Alumni of Care
Washington State Financial Aid for Youth and Alumni of Care
Washington State offers many financial aid opportunities to help students with college. Remember, before you can receive federal and state financial aid you need to complete the FAFSA each year on or shortly after October 1. Programs available for Washington State youth include:
Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program – The ETV Program is a national program for youth who qualify and are likely to age out of care. The maximum award is $5,000 per academic year.
Governors’ Scholarship – The scholarship program helps young men and women from foster care continue their education and earn a college degree. Scholarship award amounts range from $2,000 to $4,000.
Washington College Grant – Recent high school graduates and working-age adults from many low- and middle-income families can qualify to receive money for college or career training. WCG is available to eligible Washington residents, including undocumented students. There are no age limits. Recipients must meet program requirements and attend an approved college or program, part-time or full-time.
State Work Study – The State Work Study program helps students from low- and middle-income families earn money for college while gaining experience whenever possible in jobs related to their career goals.
Passport to Careers – The Passport to Careers program helps former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth prepare for and succeed in college, apprenticeships, or pre-apprenticeship programs. The maximum award per academic year is $4,500.
College Bound Scholarship[AV(1] – The scholarship program is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who sign up in middle school and fulfill the pledge. Youth in care are automatically enrolled in this program.
Casey Family Scholarships – Casey Family Programs provides funding for students enrolled in community colleges, public and private universities, and vocational and technical career programs in all 50 states.
Extended Foster Care Program – The program provides an opportunity for youth at age 18 to voluntarily agree to continue receiving foster care services up to age 21 while pursuing a:
High School Diploma or GED
College, Vocational or Technical Degree
Program or Activity Designed to Promote Employment or Remove Barriers to Employment
Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) – The application for undocumented individuals and select non-citizens who are not eligible to file the FAFSA. This application only applies to Washington State programs.
What is the WUE? The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a tuition savings program that makes attending out-of-state colleges and universities more affordable for students. Through WUE, you receive a reduced tuition rate, giving you more education options for your money. Out-of-state tuition is expensive, sometimes two to three times the cost of in-state tuition. With WUE, participating public colleges and universities across the West agree to charge out-of-state students no more than 150% of the school’s in-state tuition. Tuition savings may vary depending on the college or major. The bottom line: You save big with WUE and almost always pay less than out-of-state tuition.
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