For more information, visit: https://wsac.wa.gov/pathways

This Top 5 list is designed specifically for high school juniors and seniors to help them prepare for, apply to, and pay for postsecondary education. Note: You do not have to be a GEAR UP student to use our resources – they are available to all students!

This tool calculates potential awards from the Washington College Grant and Pell Grant programs. 

Use one worksheet for each college you received an award letter from. This is not meant to be an official statement on your award letter, financial aid offer, or true costs, but a tool to help you compare your options. For official calculations, please contact the financial aid office at each college.

The information provided has an emphasis on supporting transgender youth who plan to continue their education at a postsecondary institution.

Washington State GEAR UP has adapted and modified this tool with much appreciation from Northeastern Illinois University/Chicago GEAR UP. It includes key action steps that college-going students must complete during their senior year in high school.

The contents of this publication were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, the content does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

This manual provides guidance on how to assemble the binder, provides examples, and explains the rationale.