Funds for Most Everyone
Apply for Financial Aid
WASHINGTON STATE FINANCIAL AID
The state of Washington funds a variety of financial aid programs to help students and their families pay for college.
FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID
Community and technical colleges give financial aid based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal, state and institutional grant funds, as well as work-study, are available. Check with the college of your choice for its application deadlines.
Scholarships
CAMPUS SOURCES
A variety of scholarships may be available from each college based on different criteria: financial need; program of study or major; academic merit; leadership; diversity; first in family to attend college; personal perseverance and/or community service.
Many colleges offer scholarships through their Foundations. Deadlines and application procedures vary.
OUTSIDE SOURCES
Some colleges have outside scholarship resources linked at their website or posted on a bulletin board. Here are just a couple of sources to get you started.
Pacific Northwest Scholarship Guide ›
College Board ›
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION TIPS
Make sure your application is competitive. There is a lot of advice online about scholarships and aid and how to apply for scholarships.
Save for College with Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET)
Guaranteed Education Tuition is Washington’s prepaid college tuition plan. With GET, you prepay for your child’s college tuition today. Your account is guaranteed to keep pace with college tuition, and you can use it at nearly any public or private college in the country.
Hope Scholarship or Lifetime Learning Tax Credit
Qualified tuition and fees paid may be claimed against federal income taxes. For information on eligibility requirements and credit amounts, contact the Internal Revenue Service and search for “Hope and Lifetime Learning Credit,” or call 1-800-829-1040.
Special Eligibility Programs and Funds
You might qualify for certain grants and services based on your employment or family status.
Opportunity Grants
The goal of the program is to help low-income students reach the education tipping point of one year of college and a certificate – in high-wage, high-demand careers. Eligible students may receive funds to cover tuition/mandatory fees for 45 credits and up to $1,000 for books and supplies per year. Support services such as tutoring, career advising, college success classes, emergency child care and emergency transportation are part of the program. Interested students should contact the college Opportunity Grant Coordinator they are interested in attending.
Passport to College Promise Scholarship for Foster Youth
The Passport to College Promise Scholarship program encourages foster youth to prepare for and succeed in college.
College-Bound Scholarship
The College-Bound Scholarship covers four years of college tuition, fees and books for low-income students who sign a pledge in 7th or 8th grade promising to graduate from high school and to demonstrate good citizenship.
Currently Separated, Recently Divorced
You may be eligible for displaced homemakers services and support.
Tuition Assistance for Working Parents
Many colleges provide tuition assistance to employed, low-income parents (with children under age 18) who are enrolled in a basic skills or professional/technical program.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many employers offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit to both full-time and part-time employees. Your workplace may offer education incentives that you don’t know about. Ask your human resources or benefits department.
Veteran Tuition Waivers
Use your Veteran benefits to attend or receive the Veteran’s tuition discount.
Worker Retraining Program
Receiving unemployment benefits, exhausted benefits within the last 24 months, facing lay-off, or employed in a declining industry? You may be eligible for Worker Retraining funding and support to help eligible students gain the skills needed to return to work.