Financial Aid
Financial aid includes grants, loans, work study and scholarships, and can be either need-based, or merit-based. 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.
Federal Student Aid
These short videos provide excellent information about different types of financial aid and how to apply. Click image to see video library.
Undocumented Students
This website has up-to-date information and resources for undocumented immigrants. You can qualify for financial aid!
FAFSA & WASFA
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 only way to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid is to complete the FAFSA. Go to the Federal Student Aid website to learn more and apply.
The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for students who do not qualify for federal aid because of their immigration status (such as DACA students). Visit
The FAFSA and WASFA are available October 1. The sooner you apply the more likely you are to get financial aid. These forms are also required for need-based and merit scholarships awarded by colleges and universities.
You should also visit the financial aid pages of the college or university you wish to attend to find out if they require additional paperwork or forms, such as the CSS Profile, or their own unique forms.
Video about using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to complete the FAFSA
Video from Washington Student Achievement Council that goes through the FAFSA line by line
Resources & Articles
College Results Online is an interactive web tool designed to provide information about college graduation rates and the amount of student debt for most four year college or university in the U.S.
College Scorecard - US Department of Education resource
CSS Profile - additional form required by some colleges