FINANCIAL AID: FAFSA, WASFA, Washington College Grant, & CollegeBound
IMPORTANT UPDATE
Changes are coming for the 2024 FAFSA (used during the 24-25 college school year). You can read more about it here, but it will not open until December 2023. We will update this page as we learn more. IMPORTANT! FSA User ID required for all “contributors”. The parent(s) are now called contributors as are students. Parents who are undocumented, will now also need a FSA User ID. Non-married, biological parents, will each need their own FSA User ID. You can create a FSA while you wait so you are ready when the FAFSA does open. You can do that here.
What You Need to Know: FAFSA Simplification Act Information Links
This document has links to presentations about the new FAFSA, videos explaining how to create an FSA ID, and so much more!
FREE texting reminder service (for financial aid steps)
OtterBot is a free texting service to support Washington high school seniors and juniors. OtterBot sends financial aid and college navigation info and reminders to students. Students can access OtterBot via text message 24 hours a day, seven days a week by texting "Hi Otter" to 360-928-7281. NEW: OttterBot for parents is now available! Text "Hi OtterBot" to 360-634-0354.
FAFSA & WASFA Information
Why complete the FAFSA (or WASFA if undocumented or immigrant)?
- Required to be considered for financial aid for college, vocational or technical school/training
- Required to receive the Washington State College Grant
- Required to receive the College Bound Scholarship
Students can complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa or the WASFA at https://wsac.wa.gov/wasfa.
College Deadline
Check with the college(s) you are interested in attending. Each college or university has its own deadline for the FAFSA, known as the priority filing deadline. Completing your FAFSA by that date will help ensure you receive all the aid you're eligible for, including gift aid or loan options from the institution. Contact your school's financial aid office if you aren't sure when this is. You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline - whether it is the date the college receives your FAFSA, or the date your FAFSA is processed.
Check with the college(s) you are interested in attending. Each college or university has its own deadline for the FAFSA, known as the priority filing deadline. Completing your FAFSA by that date will help ensure you receive all the aid you're eligible for, including gift aid or loan options from the institution. Contact your school's financial aid office if you aren't sure when this is. You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline - whether it is the date the college receives your FAFSA, or the date your FAFSA is processed.
For More in depth information on Federal Student Aid Programs Click Here
CSS Profile (for Whitman College and Whitworth University)
If you plan to apply to either Whitman College or Whitworth University, you will need to submit the CSS Profile to receive financial aid. There are other universities that use this platform, but Whitman and Whitworth are the only two in Washington State.
After you have completed the FASFA or WASFA you can use the Washington State Financial Aid Calculator. This tool estimates what your Washington College Grant & Pell Grant financial aid might look like.
Click here to access the calculator
