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Financial Aid

Completing the FAFSA/WASFA is necessary to be considered for student loans, grants, work-study, and certain scholarships or other funding. The FAFSA/WASFA should be easy and fast to complete. However, it can also be confusing, so in case you get stuck, ask your school for help completing the FAFSA or WASFA.

 

The FAFSA should be filled out by students with a social security number, green card number, or alien registration number.

The WASFA should be filled out by Washington residents who don't qualify for the FAFSA.

Seniors Don't Delay! Be Prepared! Get your FSA ID Today!

For most students completing the FAFSA/WASFA is a quick process but if you have a complicated family history it is necessary to create the parent and student account as soon as possible. This is because you may be required to go through a complex identity verification process.


The financial aid available is finite and if you are delayed in applying for too long you may not be able to redeem any of the scholarship award money you are entitled to.

financialaidspotlight
The 2024-25 FAFSA & WASFA may not be available until sometime in December, but that does not mean you can't start the process now getting your FSA ID now so you when the FAFSA/WASFA is live you can immediately start the process. Note: You only complete the FAFSA or the WASFA not both. See information on this page to learn more about what application to apply with. Click here to download the worksheet to help create your account for the FAFSA or WASFA.
Who needs an FSA ID?
  • Student
  • All contributors (whose information will need to be included on the form.
What number should you use for the FAFSA?
  • Use SSN
  • If contributor doesn't have SSN: instructions coming soon.
What number should you use for the WASFA?
  • Use your SSN, DACA, or ITIN, if you have one. If you don't, leave blank.
Contributors:
  • All MUST provide consent.
  • Need different email addresses and phone numbers.
  • If multiple children or parent is a student, parents can use same FSA ID Account

Financial Aid Events

Intro to Financial Aid (English)
First page of the PDF file: 2023-24FinancialAid101English
Intro to Financial Aid (Spanish)
First page of the PDF file: 2023-24FinancialAid101Spanish

Sources

Financial aid can come from several sources: 

  • Federal: Funded by the U.S. Department of Education and can be used at most colleges in the U.S. 
  • State: Funded by States for their residents to attend colleges in their state. 
  • College: Funded by colleges in the form of scholarships/grants for students at their school. 
  • Private Organizations: These tend to be scholarships or private loans. 

Types

There are four types of Aid that can come from several sources: 

  • Grants: income-based, that can federal, and state.
  • Scholarships: merit and income-based, from public, private, and nonprofit sources. 
  • Loans: income-based, that can come from federal, and private sources. 
  • Work-Study: income-based, federal, and state.
 
 

The FAFSA/WASFA does not reflect my current situation.  Who should I talk to?

The FAFSA/WASFA are great tools for streamlining the financial aid process, but they don’t always capture your specific situation well. Maybe you don’t have contact with your parents, your family ran into financial hardships after you filled out the form, your parents are not willing/able to contribute to your education, etc. – talk to the financial aid office at your school! Your financial aid office will be able to offer you advice specific to your situation and help you find additional financial resources.

Applying

In Washington, there are two different applications for financial aid, but you only need to complete one:

  • Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) if you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  • Complete the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) if you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status, defaulted federal loans, or other issues with federal aid. 
  • Complete the CSS Profile for the schools that require it. 
Click on the title below to learn more.
FSA ID - Create Account
First page of the PDF file: 2023-24_12thYearFSAID_WASFA_Worksheet
Is my parent a contributor?
Is my parent a contributor flow chart.

Informational Videos

How much Washington College Grant funding will I qualify for?
What You Need to Know: FAFSA Simplification Act
Financial Aid Basics 101 (Fall 2023-24)
2023 Passport to Careers Financial Aid Workshop
Which Application Should I Use