Washington State College Aid: FAFSA, WASFA & Real Grant Money

🎓 Washington State Grants & Scholarships: What Parents Need to Know

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Washington offers one of the most generous and flexible state aid programs in the country. But most families don’t realize they qualify. Whether your son or daughter is headed to a public university, a community college, or a trade program, this guide will walk you through what’s available, who’s eligible, and what to do next.

Start here: To get Washington state aid like the College Grant or College Bound Scholarship, your child needs to file either the FAFSA or the WASFA. Not both. Just the one that applies.

If they are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, file the FAFSA.
If they are undocumented (including DACA), file the WASFA instead.

The 2025–2026 FAFSA opens in October 2024. Washington’s priority deadline is usually the end of January. File early because some schools may run out of funding.

📊 Main Washington State Aid Programs

Program Who It’s For Award Amount Requirements
Washington College Grant Low to moderate income Washington residents Covers full tuition at public colleges plus partial aid at private colleges or job programs FAFSA or WASFA
College Bound Scholarship Students who signed the College Bound pledge in middle school Covers average tuition and a small book allowance Signed pledge, FAFSA or WASFA, meet GPA and conduct requirements
Passport to Careers Foster youth or unaccompanied homeless youth in Washington Up to full cost of attendance plus support services FAFSA or WASFA and state verification

🎯 What Washington Parents Should Know

  • The Washington College Grant is a first-dollar grant. It pays before Pell. Families earning under $73,000 for a family of four often qualify for full tuition.
  • Even families earning up to $112,000 may get partial aid. The cutoff is higher than you think.
  • If your child didn’t sign the College Bound pledge in middle school, they can’t retroactively qualify. But they can still get other aid.
  • Trade schools, apprenticeships, and two-year job programs are eligible too. It’s not just for traditional four-year colleges.

Going Out-of-State?
Families in Washington may qualify for reduced tuition through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). This program lets students attend public colleges in other Western states at a discounted rate.

📎 What To Do Next

  • ✅ File the FAFSA or WASFA as early as possible (October to January is best)
  • ✅ Ask your high school counselor if your child signed the College Bound pledge in 8th grade
  • ✅ Create a WSAC student portal account to monitor award status
  • ✅ Watch for financial aid notifications from the colleges your child applies to

🎁 Get the Free College Starter Kit

Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. That’s why we built the College Starter Kit — a simple, printable set of tools to help you track deadlines, compare offers, and keep your kid on track through senior year.

It’s 100% free and made for real parents. Download it here →

❓ FAQ for Washington Families

Do I make too much to get the Washington College Grant?

Probably not. Full tuition is usually available to families earning under $73,000 (family of 4), and partial grants go up to about $112,000. The scale is more generous than most people expect. Always file to find out.

My kid didn’t sign up for College Bound — are we out of luck?

Only for that specific scholarship. But the Washington College Grant is still available and often more valuable. Filing the FAFSA or WASFA still unlocks major aid.

Is there extra help for foster or homeless youth?

Yes. The Passport to Careers program can cover the full cost of attendance and includes support services like mentoring and coaching. It can also be stacked with other aid.

What’s the difference between FAFSA and WASFA?

FAFSA is for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens. WASFA is for undocumented students, including DACA. They both access the same state aid — just use the one that applies to your child.

🏫 Washington Public Universities

You don’t have to figure it all out right away. Just take the next step — file, ask questions, and stay present. The money is there. You’re already doing the hard part by showing up.

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