What you Need to Know 

If a you have  been in foster care at any time after turning 13, their classes will likely be paid for at most Washington state colleges. A young person turning 18 in foster care has even more resources available to them.

Best Practices: Higher Education for Children and Youth in Foster Care 

Passport to College

The Passport to College Promise Scholarship pathway will give you a scholarship that helps with the cost of earning a college certificate or degree (tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, and some personal expenses), support services from college staff, and priority consideration for the Washington College Grant and Washington State Work Study programs.

In the 2020-21 academic year, the maximum Passport to College award was $2,000. With additional money awarded from other financial aid programs, your costs will likely be paid for at most Washington State colleges. The college’s financial aid office will administer your funding.

Part of your financial aid may be work study. College faculty and administrators who are asked how much students should work typically say ten to fifteen hours per week. The Washington State Work Study program will give priority to eligible students in the Passport to Careers program, which means you will be considered first for available jobs. The Federal Work Study program may also be offered, but with no priority feature.

How long it takes to finish your Passport to College pathway depends on the certificate or degree you choose and whether you attend part-time or full-time. Some programs are as short as one year, while others may take several years to complete.

Passport to Apprenticeship Opportunities

The Passport to Apprenticeship Opportunities pathway will help with costs if you are in an eligible apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program, including tuition for classes, fees, work clothes, rain gear, boots, and occupation-related tools. If your program is not at a college, a WSAC-appointed organization experienced with apprenticeships will administer your funding and provide staff to support you. If you are enrolled in an apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program at a community or technical college, you might receive your Passport to Careers funds from either the campus financial aid office or the appointed organization, depending on your specific program.

Apprenticeships are both a job and an education. You will be trained by master craftspeople in your chosen trade and will typically begin by earning about half the wage-level for your occupation, with regular raises. Once you complete the program, you are certified at a journeyman level and are paid at that level. Each apprenticeship has a defined program length, usually measured in hours. The length of time spent in an apprenticeship depends on the trade being learned.

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.