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Financial Aid Information

On November 17, 2025, the Cultural and Family Partnership team hosted the "Financial Aid Information Night" event. 

This event is designed for families who are interested in learning more about what are some Financial Aid opportunities for students as they are getting ready for post-high school education.

Presentation Transcripts

What does your student want to do after high school? 

  • Attend a college or university (Bachelor's degree - usually 4-year program)
  • Public University – tuition costs are supported by the state of Washington, generally more affordable
  • Private College/University – tuition costs are generally higher, may be affiliated with a religious organization, may offer more financial aid
  • Attend community college or vocational school (technical college or trade schools)
  • Associate’s degree – usually a 2-year program
  • Earn certificate or credentials for certain career
  •  Enlist in military service
  • Get a job

What does the schools do to prepare students to make post-high school planning decisions?

Timeline for Post-High School Planning

2-Year Colleges or Vocational School Pathways (Technical or Trade Schools)

4-Year Colleges or Universities

College Credit Requirements

Earning a high school diploma may not automatically result in also meeting minimum college entrance requirements. The State of Washington establishes minimum college entrance requirements, known as College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs) for all WA public colleges and universities - these CADRs are also described in this chart, and in more detail below. Minimum entrance requirements can vary by college/university, and meeting the minimums alone does not ensure admission. Visit a college or university's admissions website to learn all specific application and entrance requirements for that particular school. 
 

Cost of College – Tuition and other cost considerations

  • Students pay “in-state tuition” if a resident of that state (lower tuition)
  • Out-of-state students pay different cost for colleges or universities
  • At some schools, students must live on campus.
  • At some schools, if a student lives close to home, students can ask permission to live at home and avoid the cost of room and meal fees. (Only applies to certain 4-year colleges and universities)

Cost of College – Other Cost Considerations

  • Books
  • Class fee (depending on course)
  • School supplies
  • Dorm or room costs
  • Meal plans at dorm or food
  • Travel, parking or visits home
  • Entertainments

Types of Financial Aid to Pay for College/University

Financial Aid Forms

FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Aid - see below

WASFA – Washington State Financial Aid (ONLY COMPLETED for students who DO NOT qualify for FAFSA) (also free) - see below

CCS – College Scholarship Service Profile

  • Used by some private colleges and some state universities to offer institutional (school-based aid)
  • Students only apply for this aid if applying to schools that require it.
  • Cost to apply for financial aid to most colleges via CCS but some costs may be waived. 

Only complete one financial aid form based on eligibility – either the FAFSA or WASFA. Not both

Students must reapply every year for both FAFSA or WASFA to qualify for continued financial aid in college/universities.

 

Helpful Tips

Information or documents needed to complete FAFSA or WASFA

  • Tax document 1040 to show salary of parents from 2 years before the school year that they will be applying for aid. (1040 will have SSN for both FAFSA or WASFA or ITIN for WASFA)
  • Documents showing investment income (other home)
  • Student ID - Driver's license or approved state ID. 
  • Case number if you are receiving SNAP, TNAF, Medicaid or other welfare services.
  • Use this link to determine which parent's income to use
  • List of colleges to which the students will be applying (FAFSA allows up to 20 colleges/universities)

 

Additional Notes:

  • So those students who are citizens or green card holder (and apply for FAFSA), can possibly qualify for aid from:
    • FAFSA > WASHINGTON STATE GRANT > Financial aid from college attending > WSOS
  • For students who attend a Washington state college, technical school or university, students who qualify for FAFSA will automatically qualify for WA state aid.
  • Reminder that this is all income-based eligibility not merit.
  • Students can also apply for other scholarships as well!
  • Check school Financial Aid page on college/university websites to see if they have their own financial aid application. Additional financial aid applications should be completed IN ADDITION to FAFSA or WASFA
  • Private schools usually offer more financial aid opportunities.

 

Next Steps After Completing the FAFSA or WASFA

1. Student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) or WASFA Confirmation of Application

2. Colleges listed in the FAFSA/WASFA forms will receive the information from FAFSA/WASFA and prepare a financial aid award package for the student.  They may ask for additional documents if needed.

3. A financial aid award letter will be sent to the students after they have been accepted to that college. 

 

College Acceptance Process for Students Seeking Financial Aid

There is often a 2-step process in making the decision as to which college a student will attend.

Step 1:

  • Students will get letters from each college or universities to which they have applied informing them if the student has been: 
    • Accepted
    • Not accepted at that school, or
    • Placed on a wait list

Step 2:

  • The student will receive a financial aid award letter/package from each college accepted (or on wait list) outlining the financial aid offered.
  • For students seeking financial aid for college, students review their aid offers, compare packages, and decide which college to attend.
  • They may need to accept or decline specific awards and complete any additional paperwork.
  • Note: Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to keep aid.
  • FAFSA/WASFA do not provide letters outlining amount of financial aid.

TIP: Early Action and Regular Decision allows students more flexibility to wait and consider all financial offers before committing to a specific college. (See Glossary Section below for definitions to Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, etc)

Additional Opportunities for Washington State Students

Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program

  • The Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP) supports a college-going culture and guaranteed admission to 
  • ISD students are guaranteed admission to 6 Washington state public colleges/ universities if they meet the following minimum requirements:
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • On track to complete all College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs) by end of 12th grade.
  • Six colleges in that participate in WAGAP: Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, The Evergreen State College, University of Washington Tacoma, Washington State University and Western Washington University.
  • Students still must apply to their college of interest. They are guaranteed admission if they meet the minimum requirements.
  • If a student is ineligible for Guaranteed Admission, but still wants to attend one of these schools, they can and should still apply!

 

WUE – Western Undergraduate Exchange

  • Designed to make out of WA state schools more affordable to WA state and other out of state students
  • Discounted tuition rates to help students avoid the full cost of pursuing higher education outside their home state
  • Participating colleges and universities set their own WUE eligibility criteria and manage their WUE rates independently 
  • Download the list of WUE schools

 

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS)

  • There is a separate application for this scholarship (about $2500 the first year).  Need to apply each year. 
  • WSOS supports Washington students on a path to 
  • High-demand trade
  • STEM and Health care credentials 
  • In Washington state through certificate, degree and apprenticeship programs
  • Creates a college-to-career pipeline for those who are often furthest from opportunities in these fields 
  • women 
  • students of color 
  • first-generation students

 

College Bound College Bound | WSAC (wa.gov) 

  • A grant given to Washington State students that qualified for Free and reduced lunch in 7-8th grade.
  • A database holds information on eligible students, and once a student applies to an institution and files FAFSA/WASFA, the fund is sent to the school of enrollment, given that the family still stands in qualification to free and reduced lunch income stipulations. 

 

Additional Scholarship Search Engines:

 

Please have your student contact their College and Career Specialists for further information and support: