After applying for admissions to your post-high school options, file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
- Find a free, in-person, or virtual 12th Year Campaign Event near you for help with your financial aid and admissions applications.
- View the 12th Year Campaign Padlet: Financial Aid Resources for Students for a list of resources that will navigate you through the financial aid and admissions processes.
- New! WCG Informational Videos In Seven Languages! Check out the Financial Aid Toolkit.
- Ready to apply? Apply now for 2022-23. Estimate your award with the financial aid calculator.
- Understand your financial aid options, including state financial aid programs, private scholarships, and student loans at the Washington Student Loan Education site.
- Need more help? Contact Otter! Otter the Otterbot is a free texting service designed to help Washington high school seniors navigate financial aid for college and career education. Access Otterbot via text message 24/7 by texting "Hi Otter" to 360-928-7281. If it cannot answer, your question, it will send the message to a financial aid expert at the Washington Student Achievement Council.
Check out the 12th Year Campaign Student Workbook and the handouts below for high school juniors and seniors. They will guide you through the college admissions and financial aid application process.
- Tri-Fold: Financial Aid 101: How to Pay for Education After High School (Available in Arabic, Chuukese, English, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.)
- Tri-Fold: Financial Aid 201: How to Pay for Education After High School (Available in Arabic, Chuukese, English, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.)
- Admissions and Financial Aid Information for LGBTQ+ Students
- Award Letter Key Components | Award Letter Worksheet - Living off-campus | Award Letter Worksheet - Living on-campus
- College and Career Pathways: You Have Options
- Financial Aid & Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
- Financial Aid Information for Youth in Foster Care
- How to Become an Apprentice
- Military Pathways
- Technical and Specialty Colleges
- Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Letter: Information on Student Loans (and the Washington Student Loan Education site)
- What Do We Mean When We Say College?
- Which Financial Aid Is the Best to Accept?
FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION
- FSA ID Worksheet. You can use this sheet to help you create your FSA ID.
WASHINGTON STATE FINANCIAL AID
Washington College Grant
- Washington College Grant Flyer. The new Washington College Grant gives more money to more students for more kinds of education after high school. For more information, visit: https://wsac.wa.gov/pathways
INFORMATION FOR UNACCOMPANIED HOMELESS YOUTH/STUDENTS IN FOSTER CARE
- Fostering College Knowledge. If you have been in foster care at any time after age 13, money and resources are available to help you go to college - including vocational training, 2-and 4-year options - for most Washington State schools.
- SchoolHouse Connection. Have you experienced homelessness? Are you considered an unaccompanied homeless youth? Find resources to help you pursue your path after high school.
- http://independence.wa.gov This website is for foster youth. It contains info on college access, scholarships specifically for youth in foster care, jobs, housing, self-advocacy, and more.
SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
- Scholar Snapp. This free tool helps students can save time by reusing their information — including contact details, essays, transcripts, etc. — from one application to another. Students can fill out one application and simply import it or “snapp” it to their Scholar Snapp profile.
UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL AID
- Big Future's Tools & Calculators. Includes tools to help you calculate college costs and compare your financial aid award letters.
- Family Resources. Easy-to-use resources from Reach Higher and the Common App. Available in English and Spanish. Learn about application fees, fee waivers, and financial aid.
- Financial Aid 101. Use this guide to learn how you can begin finding and applying for money to finance your education!