Washington State Financial Aid
Washington offers many financial aid opportunities to help students wanting a higher education. Most are for Washington residents with financial need.
Go to the Washington Student Achievement Council to find specific information on the state's programs.
Attention Foster Youth!! Take advantage of these Washington programs:
- Education and Training Voucher (ETV) - Eligible foster youth or youth adopted at age 16 or older may receive up to $5,000/year to help cover education and training costs. For questions about ETV call 1-877-433-8388 or e-mail ETVWASH@dshs.wa.gov.
- Foster Care to 21 - This program allows up to 50 youth in foster care per year to stay in foster care after they turn 18 so that they can go to a college or vocational program.
- Washington State Governors' Scholarship for Foster Youth - The Governors' Scholarship assists Washington youth who will emancipate from the state or federally recognized foster, group or kinship care to enroll in and complete degrees or certificates at eligible colleges in Washington.
- State Need Grant & State Work Study - You may qualify and be given priority for both the State Need Grant and State Work Study. You will be considered automatically for the State Need Grant and the State Work Study when you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Passport for Foster Youth Promise Scholarship - You may be eligible to receive a scholarship, along with other assistance, that will go toward your tuition and living expenses, guidance from college academic and financial aid counselors, support finding housing during breaks and over the summer, and special consideration for the State Need Grant and State Work Study.
- College Bound Scholarship - Low-income 7th and 8th grade students who sign an application pledge by June 30 of their 8th grade year may be eligible for the College Bound Scholarship. The scholarship can be used at approved Washington community or technical colleges, public four-year colleges, independent colleges or universities and private career schools.
Before you can get federal and state financial aid, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
If you are a late enrollee, let the financial aid office know that you are a former ward of the court. This could open up financial aid options the counselor may not otherwise be in a position to offer.
