Financial Aid
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Financial aid is available to help students and families pay for college. Don't assume that you are not eligible. The only way to know for sure is to apply.
What is Financial Aid?
Most financial aid comes from state and federal governments, colleges, and universities. The rest comes from private sources, such as local organizations, foundations, and corporations. You don't have to be from a low-income family to qualify for some programs. Financial aid includes grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships and can be either need-based or merit-based.
Need-based aid is awarded to students who cannot pay for college without assistance and includes grants, loans, and work-study. Merit-based aid, generally in the form of scholarships, is awarded to students based on academic, athletic, or other specific achievements or criteria.
Most students receive a combination of financial aid types in what is called a financial aid package. It is prepared by the financial aid office at the college, university, or career school you attend.
Colleges and universities use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine how much you and your family can afford to pay for college. The FAFSA asks you and your parents about household income, savings, and more. It takes into account the size of your family and number of students in college. The only way to determine your eligibility for financial aid is to complete the FAFSA.
How to Apply for Financial Aid.
1. COMPLETE THE FAFSA. The only way to get the financial aid described here is by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is available online at https://fafsa.ed.gov/. High school seniors should apply as soon as possible AFTER January 1. The earlier you apply, the better financial aid package you’re likely to get. Do not wait until you get admitted to college to apply.
2. REVIEW YOUR STUDENT AID REPORT. A few days after you submit your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), which will include your Expected Family Contribution – the amount you and your family are expected to pay for college. Review it carefully and send in corrections, if needed.
3. CONTACT PROSPECTIVE SCHOOLS. Contact the financial aid offices of any campus you wish to attend about application rules and deadlines. Remember, some schools have additional forms you will need to complete. Also, ask about other financial aid opportunities, including scholarships.
4. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS AND MEET ALL DEADLINES. Check financial aid priority deadlines by visiting each colleges’ website. If your FAFSA or other financial aid applications are late or incomplete, you may not receive all of the aid you are eligible for. Financial aid is often given to eligible students on a first come, first served basis – schools can and do run out of some types of aid.
5. EVALUATE FINANCIAL AID AWARD LETTERS. Schools will send you award letters with details of your financial aid package – usually a combination of grants, loans, and work-study programs. Compare the financial aid awards carefully. You may be required to either accept or decline your award by a specific date. If you miss this reply deadline, you could lose your financial aid award.
6. KEEP GOOD RECORDS. Make copies of your applications and supporting information. Quickly respond to requests for more information. Keep a financial aid folder to compare awards and keep track of forms. Make notes of who you talk to, the date and time you contacted them, and the results of your conversation. If you run into problems later, having these notes can really help.
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The state of Washington provides money each year to help students and their families pay for college. You may be eligible for one or more of the following state financial aid programs known as Washington Opportunity Pathways.
STATE NEED GRANT-Undergraduate resident students with financial need may be eligible for this grant. Income eligibility is based on adjusted gross income reported on the student’s FAFSA. Grants are available at public two- and four-year colleges and universities, and many accredited independent colleges, universities, and career schools in Washing-ton.
STATE WORK STUDY-Resident undergraduate and graduate students with financial need earn money for college through part-time work while gaining valuable experience. Whenever possible jobs are related to academic and career interests. State Work Study jobs are available both on and off campus.
COLLEGE BOUND SCHOLARSHIP-The scholarship promises up to four years of tuition, fees, and a small book stipend to low-income students who sign a pledge during their 7th or 8th-grade year. Students promise to graduate from high school, be good citizens, and seek admission to a college or university.
PASSPORT FOR FOSTER YOUTH PROMISE PROGRAM-This program encourages foster youth to prepare for and succeed in college. It provides foster youth with educational planning tools, college support services, and scholarship assistance.
AMERICAN INDIAN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP-For financially needy undergraduate and graduate students with close social and cultural ties to a Native American community. Students must attend an in-state college full time and agree to use their education to benefit American Indian communities in Washington State.
More financial aid information is available at:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) https://fafsa.ed.gov/
The Washington Student Achievement Council www.wsac.wa.gov/paying
The Smart Guide to Financial Aid www.finaid.org
On February 26, 2014, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law the REAL Hope Act (SB 6523), also known as the Washington Dream Act. Beginning with the 2014-15 academic year, this new law expands eligibility for the Washington State Need Grant to non-citizens who meet the program’s eligibility requirements in addition to all three residency criteria listed below:
Have graduated from a Washington high school or obtained a GED®
Have lived in Washington for three years prior to, and continuously since, earning the high school diploma or equivalent.
Sign an affidavit (written promise) to file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States when eligible to apply*.
*Students granted deferred action for childhood arrival (DACA) must also complete and sign the affidavit.
The Washington Student Achievement Council is currently developing a new state application for students who are unable to complete a FAFSA due to immigration status. This free application--known as the Washington Application for State Financial Aid, or the WASFA--will allow non-citizens to apply for student financial aid in Washington state. Upon successful completion of a WASFA, the college(s) chosen by the student will use the financial information provided in the application to determine eligibility to receive the Washington State Need Grant.
Please download the WASFA worksheets at the bottom of the page. These worksheets will help prepare applicants and their parents for completing the WASFA. Also attached are scholarships specifically for DREAMERS.
In addition to the WASFA, many colleges also require completion of an institutional financial aid application.
Please contact your financial aid office for more information on financial aid deadlines and additional required forms.
Note: Eligibility for the State Need Grant does not guarantee an award as the grant is awarded on a funds available basis. Students will have a better chance for consideration of limited State Need Grant funds by applying as soon as the WASFA is available.
Checklist to be considered for limited Washington State Need Grant funds you must:
Complete the WASFA– this is instead of the FAFSA.
Complete any additional financial aid application forms required by your college.
Apply for admission to the participating college or university you wish to attend.
Inquire about class registration.
High school seniors are encouraged to create a profile on theWashboard.org for scholarship opportunities, and to check our college preparation timeline for more information.