Financial Aid
Financial Aid Information
- Everyone is eligible to file either the FAFSA or WASFA.
- All information is protected under FERPA privacy act. Your info is secure and cannot be shared.
- Washington State College Grant, College Bound Scholarship, Seattle Promise and others require that you complete the FAFSA or WASFA.
- Financial aid can be used at apprenticeships, technical colleges, 2 and 4-year colleges, and other programs.
- Filing the FAFSA or WASFA is often required for merit aid as well as need-based aid.
Types of Aid
- Grants – free
- Scholarships – free
- Loans – pay back after graduating
- Work Study – work on campus for money
FAFSA/WASFA
In Washington, students complete one of two applications to be considered for student financial aid: the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid).
The applications open on October 1st each year and students should try to complete their financial aid application as soon as possible after that date. In addition to state and federal aid, many school-based and school-funded scholarships require students to submit a FAFSA or WASFA form for consideration.
*Priority Financial Aid Deadlines to complete your FAFSA or WASFA by:
- Four Year Universities – January 15
- Seattle Promise/Seattle Colleges – April 30
Filing EARLY is best…but remember it is never too late to apply for financial aid!
FAFSA
U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizen students (green card, refugee, etc.) will be considered for grants, loans and work-study funds upon completion of this form. Only the student’s status matters for FAFSA, so even if a parent(s) is undocumented, please file the FAFSA.
Federal aid can be used at technical, two-year and four-year colleges and universities across the country. Learn more about eligibility requirements and complete the FAFSA.
*Before you start – Gather up these documents and information
Step-by-Step Video – FAFSA
Watch this helpful video below to learn how to set up your FSA ID and complete your FAFSA.
Be sure to complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA if you are graduating from high school in spring 2023.
(Or watch in Spanish – 2023-2024 Español/Spanish FAFSA)
WASFA
Students who are not eligible for federal financial aid due to immigration status may be eligible for several Washington State financial aid programs.
These programs fund in-state public and private technical, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Learn more about eligibility and complete the WASFA.
*Before you start – Gather up these documents and information – scroll down for WASFA (you do not need a social security card to apply!)
Important Tips
- Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA or WASFA if you are graduating in June of 2023.
- Always use the FAFSA or WASFA form for the NEXT year of schooling (not this year’s form because you are a senior and do not need funding this year.)
- Always use the FAFSA or WASFA form for the NEXT year of schooling (not this year’s form because you are a senior and do not need funding this year.)
- *Keep your FAFSA or WAFSA up to date with your colleges/career programs.
- Some private colleges and universities require that you also complete another financial aid application called the CSS Profile on the College Board website. Check the financial aid page of your potential college to see if you need to do this.
- To get an estimate on how any college will cost and much aid you will likely receive from any institution, please use the Financial Aid Calculator tool.
Scholarships and other Financial Aid
- Apply for Scholarships
- Seattle Promise – 2 years of college or 90 credits FREE – Applications due February 17
- Western Undergraduate Exchange Program (WUE) – attend out of state colleges for 1.5x the cost of in-state tuition to save money!
Questions?
Need step-by-step assistance or have questions about financial aid? See your Counselor or go to the College Access Hub in 252A or Career Center in 252B.
We are here for you!