Anyone considering or planning to attend a technical, 2-year or 4-year school after high school should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). The FAFSA not only gives students access to federal student aid, but also state financial aid (WA College Grant, College Bound Scholarship, Opportunity Scholarship, etc.) and institutional aid that schools and colleges give out themselves. The WASFA is for students not eligible for federal but wanting to access state and institutional aid.
The FAFSA or WASFA aren't done until a student's senior year and in most cases will require a student and parent/guardian's information. Not sure which form to fill out? Go here for WASFA Eligibility Questionnaire
STEP 1: Get FSA ID: To complete the Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) you and your parent/guardian will need to get an FSA ID which is basically an electronic signature. It only takes a few minutes and I recommend doing this first (although you don't have to). Go to this link to create your FSA ID. You will need your SS# and email or mobile phone number.
STEP 2: Start the FAFSA: To complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), you and your parent/guardian will need the following:
Your Social Security Number
Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
FAFSA has an IRS Data Retrieval Tool but if you elect not to use it, then you will need federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned.
Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
An FSA ID to sign electronically.
Go HERE to start your FAFSA. Be sure to choose the 22-23 application as that is when you will be enrolling in college.
Go here for information and instructions on how to complete the WASFA
Here is a link to some other helpful FAFSA & Financial Aid resources from the Washington Student Achievement Council.