Financial aid can come from several sources: 

• Federal: This is from the US Department of Education and can be used at most colleges in the US. They have to be able to receive financial aid. Students can take to another state. 

• State: For example, Washington State financial aid is for residents to attend colleges in WA. They do not necessarily have to be public colleges, but they have to be able to receive state financial aid. There are currently over 60. 

• College:  Every college will have its own scholarships, etc that they offer to students who are going to their school. 

• Organizations: These tend to be scholarships (organizations) or private loans (banks). 

There are several types of federal financial aid. Students need to be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens (i.e. permanent residents with a Green Card as an example) to apply. 

• Pell Grant: The largest income-based grant. The maximum amount for 2022-23 was $6895. 

• Work-study: Students can work on campus and their salary is paid from the Dept. of Education to their on-campus employer and then the employer pays the student. Not all on-campus jobs require a student to be part of the work-study program. 

• Loans: Both these are in the student’s name. The difference is that with Unsubsidized student loans the student will ultimately pay the interest accrued once they graduate and/or leave college. Subsidized student loans – the government pays or subsidizes the interest. Parent loans: Would be taken out by the parent to pay for the student’s expenses. 

• Parent loans: Would be taken out by the parent to pay for the student’s expenses. 

Even if you're not eligible for federal aid, you might be eligible for financial aid from your state. 

Washington state financial aid is for residents to attend colleges in WA. They do not necessarily have to be public colleges, but they have to be able to receive state financial aid. There are currently over 60.

These are examples of state financial aid programs that WA residents who are eligible can use in WA at eligible colleges –

• • Washington College Grant (formerly the State Need Grant) -  Largest, income-based grant. The amount depends on what type of school (out of the over 60) you attend. 

  • College Bound Scholarship: This is an early commitment of state financial aid to cover certain college costs. Students must have signed up in middle school. 

  • State Work-Study: Similar to the federal program but the funding comes from Washington State versus the federal government. 

  • Passport to Careers: a program that provides additional resources for both former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth (https://www.wsac.wa.gov/sites/default/files/Passport.Student.FAQs.pdf) 

  • Opportunity Grant: to attend a 2-year community or technical college 

Many organizations offer scholarships or grants to help students pay for school. 

Visit our Scholarship page for more information about scholarships.

Many schools offer financial aid from their own funds. Find out what might be available to you:

• Visit your college's financial aid page on its website, or ask someone in the financial aid office.

• Ask at the department that offers your course of study; they might have a scholarship for students in your major.

• Fill out any applications the school requires for its own aid, and meet the deadlines.

There are four types of Aid: 

• Grants: income-based, federal, and state.

• Scholarships: merit and income-based, from public, private, and nonprofit sources. 

• Loans: income-based, federal, and private. 

• Work-Study: income-based, federal, and state.

A grant is a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund, or you receive a TEACH Grant and don’t complete your service obligation). 

A variety of federal grants are available, including:

• Pell Grants

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants

• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants.

Washington State grants include:

• Washington College Grant is available to low-income undergraduate students. 

The U.S. Department of Education’s federal student loan program is the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program.  Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education is your lender.

TYPES OF FEDERAL LOANS:

• Direct Subsidized Loan

• Direct Unsubsidized Loan

• Direct PLUS Loan

These are loans that accumulate interest; they must be repaid.

• They don't need to be repaid. 

• There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. 

• Students are encouraged to apply for local, state, and community scholarships through the IHS Career Center website. Scholarships are awarded based on merit, ethnic background, community service, leadership, and personal interests regardless of financial need. 

• Students should be searching and applying for scholarships while they are applying to colleges.

•  Most colleges have scholarship money that they give out on a first-come, first-serve basis for students who meet specific academic requirements. Check with the colleges you are applying to for specific institutional scholarships. 

Washington State Scholarships include:

• College Bound Scholarship

• Passport to Careers Scholarships 

• American Indian Endowed Scholarship

Work-Study is a  need-based program that helps builds students’ skills, increases their earnings, and reduces reliance on student loans. 

• Federal Work-Study - provides part-time employment while the student is enrolled in school to help pay his or her education expenses. The student must seek out and apply for work-study jobs at his or her school. The student will be paid directly for the hours he or she works and the amount he or she earns cannot exceed the total amount awarded by the school for the award year. The availability of work-study jobs varies by school.

• State Work-Study -  qualifying students to get an approved job, on- or off-campus, to support their education.  The state contributes to the wages of work-study employees, so participating employers benefit from educated, motivated workers at a lower cost. Many employers hire work-study employees on a permanent basis after graduation. Work-study contributes to economic growth by creating jobs and adding experienced, high-skilled college graduates to the state’s workforce.

• Awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree; in some cases, students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program may receive a Federal Pell Grant 

• A student who meets certain requirements might be eligible for a larger Pell Grant if his or her parent died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan or in the line of duty as a public safety officer 

• Pell Grant lifetime eligibility is limited to 12 semesters or the equivalent

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

• Awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree 

• Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority

• Not all schools participate in this program 

• Funds depend on availability at the school; check for the school’s deadline 

• Up to $4,000 a year

The new nationally recognized Washington College Grant (formerly the State Need Grant) makes education and training beyond high school affordable. More families are eligible, and more programs and types of credentials are included. 

• Beginning in 2020-21, more low- and middle-income families now qualify. An eligible student from a family of four making around $50,000 or less per year would receive a full award. 

• Partial grants are available for families making up to the state’s median family income, around $97,000 per year. 

The program also provides support for approved apprenticeships.

What does it cover?

• The maximum award amount will cover full tuition at any approved/eligible in-state public college or university, including community or technical colleges, or provide a comparable amount toward tuition and other education-related costs at an approved private college or career training program. 

• The state is in the process of identifying eligible non-campus-based apprenticeship programs.

Who is eligible?

• Amounts vary based on income, family size, and the school or program attended. Students and families can use the financial aid calculator to estimate their potential WCG award. 

• Recipients must meet program requirements and attend an approved institution or program. Learn more about WCG eligibility and awards.

How do I apply?

• There is no separate application for the Washington College Grant. Students should complete a state or federal financial aid application, which colleges will use to determine eligibility and make awards. 

• Application processes for non-campus-based apprenticeship programs have not yet been established.

It's never too early to plan ahead. It's never too late to change your future. 

• For undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate students who are enrolled in programs designed to prepare them to teach in a high-need field at the elementary or secondary school level

• Must agree to serve for a minimum of four years (within eight years of completing or ceasing enrollment in the program for which the student received the grant funds) as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a school or educational service agency that serves low-income students 

• Must attend a participating school and meet certain academic achievement requirements 

• Failure to complete the teaching service commitment will result in the grant being converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan that must be repaid

The College Bound Scholarship program is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who sign up in middle school and fulfill the scholarship pledge.n

Eligibility for the scholarship is a two-part process. 

• Students in 7th or 8th grade whose family meets the income requirements must submit and complete an application by June 30 of the student’s 8th-grade year. 

• Then students must meet the College Bound Pledge requirements and income eligibility as determined by the student’s financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA) in their senior year of high school.  

If you are a student, parent, or educator looking for College Bound Scholarship eligibility information, applications, or other resources, please visit the College Bound page on our agency's consumer information site, readysetgrad.org.

Questions? You can reach us at collegebound@wsac.wa.gov or 888-535-0747.

The 2018 Legislature passed Senate Bill 6274, establishing the Passport to Careers program to help more Washington students—specifically, those who have been in foster care or who have experienced homelessness—prepare for careers. 

The bill adds to the existing Passport to College Promise program, which has provided college scholarships and support services for foster youth who have been dependents of the state. Changes implemented as of July 2018 include expanded eligibility for youth in federal and tribal foster care and to students in pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships. The bill also adds eligibility for homeless youth beginning in 2019. 

The Passport to Careers program helps former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth prepare for and succeed in college, apprenticeships, or pre-apprenticeship programs. Under the Passport to Careers program, there are two sub-programs:

• Passport to College

• Passport to Apprenticeship Opportunities

Through the Passport to College program, students receive a scholarship that assists with the cost of attending college (tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, and some personal expenses), support services from college staff, and priority consideration for the Washington College Grant and State Work-Study programs. 

The Passport to Apprenticeship Opportunities program will assist students participating in a registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program by covering occupational-specific costs such as tuition for classes, fees, work clothes, rain gear, boots, and occupation-related tools.

Forty-two colleges throughout Washington have committed to developing a viable plan for providing support services to students who are eligible for the Passport program. These colleges have designated support staff (DSS) to help Passport to College students navigate through college. 

Passport-eligible students looking for detailed information on preparing, applying, and paying for college, apprenticeship, or pre-apprenticeship programs can find more information in the Passport to Careers Guide.

The American Indian Endowed Scholarship application will be available in December of the applied year.

The American Indian Endowed Scholarship helps financially needy students with close social and cultural ties to a Washington State American Indian community pursue a college education. Funding is prioritized for upper-division and graduate students. Students can use the scholarships at public colleges and many accredited independent colleges in Washington.

Scholarship awards range from about $500 to $2,000. Approximately 15 students are selected each year to receive the awards. These students are eligible to receive their college scholarships for up to five years. Renewal scholarships are not automatic and require submission of the application each year.

Past recipients have careers in law, medicine, education, business, and resource management. All have returned, or plan to return, to their tribal communities to work on behalf of Indian peoples within the state.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate financial need based on a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

• Meet Washington State residency requirements for financial aid.

• Intend to enroll full-time as an undergraduate or graduate student at a participating public or private college or university in Washington State by fall term of the application year.

• Intend to use your education to benefit Washington’s American Indian community.

• Not pursue a degree in theology.

• Not yet have received a total of five years of this scholarship.

Who is it for?

• For undergraduate students who have financial needs. 

• A student must be enrolled at least half-time. 

• For more information go to: StudentAid.gov/sub-unsub.

Interest Rates:

• Interest rates for new Direct Subsidized Loans can change every year. 

• Loans made to undergraduate students during the award year have the rate fixed for the life of the loan.

Loan Limits: 

• Vary depending on grade level and dependency status.

Who is it for?

• For undergraduate and graduate or professional students. 

• A student must be enrolled at least half-time. 

• Financial need is not required.

• For more information go to: StudentAid.gov/sub-unsub.

Interest Rates:

• For undergraduate students: Interest rates for new Direct Unsubsidized Loans can change every year.  Loans made to undergraduate students during the award year have the rate fixed for the life of the loan. 

• For graduate or professional students: Interest rates for new Direct Unsubsidized Loans can change every year. Loans made to graduate or professional students during the award year have the rate fixed at for the life of the loan.

Loan Limits: 

• Are variable (less any subsidized amounts received for the same period), depending on grade level and dependency status.

Who is it for?

• For parents of dependent undergraduate students and for graduate or professional students. 

• A student must be enrolled at least half-time. 

• Financial need is not required.

• For more information go to: StudentAid.gov/plus.

Interest Rates:

• Interest rates for new Direct PLUS Loans can change every year. 

• Loans made during the award year have the rate fixed for the life of the loan. 

• For more information on interest rates, visit StudentAid.gov/interest. 

Loan Limits: 

• The maximum amount is the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received.

Apply for federal student aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. And remember, the first F in “FAFSA” stands for “free”. 

All students must fill out the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) to qualify for the four types of federal aid: grants, loans (both parent and student loans), work-study positions, and need-based scholarships. You are encouraged to fill out the form regardless of family income level and apply as soon after October 1st as possible to take advantage of state and federal monies given on a first come first serve basis. 

 FAFSA COMPLETION RESOURCES

• 2023-24 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet - English 

• 2023-24  Planilla de preparación para FAFSA

• Federal Student Aid Youtube Videos

NEED HELP?

Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC):

• • Email: studentaid@ed.gov

  • Chat:  click here to chat 

  • Call: 1-800-4-FED-AID  or 1-800-730-8913 (TTY) for the deaf or hard of hearing.

Washington Student Achievement Council's (WSAC) Otterbot:

• Otterbot is a free texting service designed to help Washington students navigate financial aid for college and career education.

• Students can access Otterbot via text message 24/hours, 7/days a week by texting "Hi Otter" to 360-928-7281. 

• For more information go to: https://wsac.wa.gov/otterbot

Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) - State Financial Aid for DREAMers - Eligibility for several Washington State financial aid programs has expanded to include students who are ineligible for federal financial aid due to immigration status. Students who meet individual program, income, or residency requirements for the State Need Grant, the College Bound Scholarship, State Work Study, or Passport Scholarship should complete the free WASFA.

NEED HELP?

Student Financial Assistance at the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC):

• • Email:  finaid@wsac.wa.gov

  • Call: 888.535.0747 (option 3)

  • Website: https://wsac.wa.gov/financial-aid.

Washington Student Achievement Council's (WSAC) Otterbot:

• Otterbot is a free texting service designed to help Washington students navigate financial aid for college and career education.

• Students can access Otterbot via text message 24/hours, 7/days a week by texting "Hi Otter" to 360-928-7281. 

• For more information go to: https://wsac.wa.gov/otterbot

The College Board’s CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® is an online application that collects information used by almost 400 colleges, universities, professional schools, and scholarship programs to award financial aid from sources outside of the federal government. After you submit your application, the College Board sends it to the colleges and scholarship programs you have chosen. 

Click HERE to find out more about the CSS Profile and to submit an application.

Who must submit the Profile Application?  

• Not all colleges and scholarship programs require the application. 

• Check the websites of the colleges you are interested in to see if they require it.

• • Not Applying: Not applying for financial aid because they “think” they won’t qualify.

  • Missing Deadlines: Waiting too long to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) with the U.S. Department of Education. This paperwork determines how much federal aid families receive. FAFSA applications open on October 1st of your senior year. The application process calls for figures from the current year’s tax return. Tax information can be estimated and corrected later.

  • Assuming Not Qualified:  Significant national scholarships often go to “superstars.” Solid students may be better off pursuing local scholarships. By applying for multiple local scholarships students at IHS have been very successful in accumulating thousands of dollars. 

  • Assuming Private Colleges are too Expensive:  Many private colleges have large endowment funds that enable them to bring down the cost of education significantly for students. The out-of-pocket expenses at a private college may even be significantly less than attending a public school.

  • Not Understand the Cost of Financing: Failing to understand that financing college often means borrowing money and working. Families need to have open financial discussions with their student prior to selecting and applying to colleges.

  • Paying Companies: Paying companies to search for financial aid or scholarships may cost way more than the money they are able to find. Paid services are often scams. 

WSAC VIDEO SERIES

• What is financial aid?

• Where does financial aid come from?

• Financial Aid Myths

• Which Application Should I Use?

• How to create an FSA ID

• Whose information will I need?

• How to sign your application

• Navigating verification 

• Cost of attendance

• Understanding your award

• Requesting a financial aid appeal

SALLIE MAE VIDEO SERIES

• Chapter 1: Introducing resources to help pay for college

• Chapter 2:  How to pay for college

• Chapter 3: How to find out what college really costs

• Chapter 4: How to find free money for college

• Chapter 5: How to fill out the FAFSA

• Chapter 6: Understanding your financial aid offers

• Chapter 7: What you need to know about student loans

• Chapter 8: Filling financial gaps

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Paying for College Basics - 9/1

• Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) - 9/1

• Understanding Financial Aid Offers - 9/1

• Scholarships and Grants Can Help Pay for College -  9/1

• Student Loans - added 9/1

Trending Tops

• How do I create an FSA ID?

• Can my parent use my FSA ID?

• How do I make changes to my FAFSA form if my family’s financial status has changed?

Parents

Help for parents if they will be working on your FAFSA® form.

• Can my parent and I share the same FSA ID?

• Will I need my parent’s information?

• How can my parent fill out the FAFSA® form if he or she can’t use my FSA ID?

Getting Started

Help with the FAFSA® process before you begin.

• Am I eligible to receive financial aid?

• What are the deadlines for filling out the FAFSA® form?

• What is the FAFSA® form?

• What will I need to fill out the FAFSA® form?

How Do I...?

Help with the most common questions about the FAFSA® process.

• How do I correct my FAFSA® form?

• How do I use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool?

• How do I view my __Student Aid Report__?

• How do I sign my FAFSA® form?

FSA ID

Help using the FSA ID—a username and password you use on Federal Student Aid websites.

• What is an FSA ID and will I need it to complete the FAFSA® form?

• What if I forgot my FSA ID username and password?

• I received an error that my name, date of birth, and Social Security number listed on my FAFSA® form do not match my FSA ID. What does that mean?

• How do I unlock my FSA ID?

After the FAFSA® Form: Next Steps

Help with what happens after you submit your FAFSA® form.

• I submitted my FAFSA® form. What happens next?

• How do I check the status of my FAFSA® form?

• When can I expect to hear from my colleges about my financial aid package?

Started in 2020, SwiftStudent is the only free, central repository of financial aid appeals /requests letter templates for students. It is a free, foundation-backed resource designed for college students and financial aid officers.

SwiftStudent is a solution for students who don’t feel empowered with information to advocate for themselves, and financial aid officers with limited capacity to reach all students facing special circumstances that are barriers to their education.

• Award Letter Worksheet - Living on campus  - Worksheet to help students who plan to live on campus understand their financial aid awards.

• Award Letter Worksheet - Living off-campus - Worksheet to help students who plan to live off-campus understand their financial aid awards.

• Award Letter Key Components - Document to help students understand the critical items in a financial aid award package.

PROVIDED BY WASHINGTON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COUNCIL:

Many undergraduate students can cover some or all their college costs with the Washington College Grant (WCG) and Federal Pell Grant (Pell).

To get an estimate, you'll need to enter information about your family size and income. You can optionally enter the estimated family contribution (EFC) from a current, completed FAFSA or WASFA to estimate awards.

WSAC does not collect any data you enter.

Estimate your award

This tool calculates potential awards from the Washington College Grant and Pell Grant programs. There may be more aid available to you from other state and federal programs, from private scholarships, or directly from the college you attend. The only way to know for sure how much financial aid you can receive is to complete a FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application. For more information, contact the college’s financial aid office.