Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)

Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is sponsored by Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). Provides state financial aid to individuals who cannot or choose not to file a federal FAFSA application.

WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) | WSAC Learn about the statutory responsibilities of the Council We advance educational opportunities and attainment in Washington Updates on the Council’s work in Olympia Council governance and operations Learn more about WSAC’s Executive Director Learn more about Student Achievement Council members Join our team and make a difference!

Updates on the latest agency rule-making activity Contracts and Requests for Proposals Contracting opportunities and protocols Directory of agency programs and contacts Addresses, directions, and deliveries 2026 Schedule & Materials Washington Completes FAFSA Campaign - Advisory Board Guiding statewide efforts that increase financial aid application completion STEM Education Innovation Alliance - Advisory Group Aligning Washington’s education system with a STEM-based economy Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board Providing guidance, recommendations, and accountability for workforce education LEARN Community of Practice A community of thought partners supporting adult learners and policy priorities Attend a local or virtual financial aid event to get help completing applications College Access Initiatives Training Center A series of trainings around financial aid content and strategy sessions for supporting students Find agendas and materials from past Council meetings Webinars & Events Archives Explore the materials of past webinars and events 2027 Strategic Action Plan The Strategic Action Plan includes recommendations for programs, policies, and investments that can advance educational attainment Includes selected indicators that track progress toward the statewide postsecondary attainment goal, with a focus on equity Our strategies for removing financial barriers Tuition and College Costs Costs related to tuition and fees for higher education in Washington Information for students who are immigrants, are undocumented, or have DACA Creating clear and accessible education pathways Learn about the many post secondary options available in our State Explore options such as Running Start, Advanced Placement, and Dual Credit Programs Find policy and campus resources and get involved in a statewide learning community Student Resources for Basic Needs Helping students access need-specific assistance Helping students persist and earn a credential Policies and procedures related to student transfers between higher education institutions Academic Credit for Prior Learning Credits awarded based on skills and knowledge gained outside the classroom Regional Challenge Grants Grants to local or regional partnerships for innovative interventions to increase college enrollment and completion Washington State Financial Aid Programs An overview of the financial aid programs available to Washington students Learn more and complete a FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application Participating Institutions A list of colleges and universities that participated in Washington’s state financial aid programs If someone in your family has lost a job or is working less, colleges may be able to provide more financial aid State financial aid for undocumented individuals and others who choose not to submit a FAFSA Washington College Grant (WA Grant) WA Grant gives eligible people more money for more types of education and training beyond high school.

Provides financial assistance to low-income students who dream of a college education Provides eligible students an approved job to support their education Helps former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth attend and succeed in college, apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeship programs Passport to Careers Guide In-depth guide to help Passport-eligible students prepare, apply, and pay for college, apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeship programs WA Grant for Apprenticeship Helps income-eligible apprentices pay for tuition, fees, and materials.

American Indian Endowed Scholarship Competitive scholarship to outstanding eligible students Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) Scholarship to outstanding students in career and technical education (CTE) programs Supporting employment needs of Washington’s aerospace companies Supporting Washington’s current and future teacher workforce Encouraging licensed health professionals to provide care at approved sites in rural or underserved areas Behavioral Health Conditional Scholarship Providing support for aspiring mental health professionals.

Helping members of the National Guard get an undergraduate degree or certificate Tuition Waiver for Dependents of Veterans Helping dependents of veterans pay for postsecondary Supporting current and future student loan borrowers in Washington Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Providing loan forgiveness for eligible government and nonprofit employees Higher Education Administration Colleges and Institutions Higher education institutions serving students in Washington Protecting Education Consumers Ensuring Washington’s colleges and career schools meet required operating standards Resources related to student complaints School Closures and Teach-Outs Information for students affected by school closures and teach-outs Ensuring postsecondary education quality Approval of Veterans' Programs Resources related to the evaluation, approval, and oversight of schools and training facilities for use of G.

I.

Bill® funds Veterans' Education and Training Promoting and safeguarding quality education and training programs for veterans State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) WSAC responsible for processing applications for SARA participation from schools based in the state Further information on residency requirements in Washington Financial Aid Administration Direct link to online resources for state institutions Materials for financial aid administrators Current data for Washington State and school districts Support for foster youth transitioning from high school to college, careers, or service Unit Record Reporting resources Institutional Participation in State Aid Information for institutions of higher education seeking to offer Washington state financial aid to students State Work Study for Employers Information for organizations seeking to employ State Work Study students Apprenticeship Program Providers Information for providers wishing to participate in the Washington College Grant for Apprenticeships Washington Health Corps Sites Information for health care sites regarding Washington Health Corps participation Materials related to latent SFA programs Resources related to the GET Prepaid Tuition Plan and WA529 Invest, and the plan’s governing committee Education Savings Dashboard Data visualizations to track program goals, measures and outcomes Grants to institutions to help cover child care costs for eligible families College and career planning resources for high school juniors and seniors Free service connecting students with Washington scholarship providers A free, 24/7 messaging service providing financial aid support to College Bound seniors Materials and resources for trusted messengers supporting financial aid completion Includes the College Application Campaign, College Goal Washington, and the FAFSA Completion Initiative The Financial Aid Toolkit Resources supporting the Washington College Grant and the financial aid application process College & Career Culture Recognition Program Celebrating the impactful work of schools that create a powerful college-going culture for their students Federally-funded program providing services to low-income schools Washington Jobs Initiative Helping Washington residents secure good-paying jobs Career Connect Washington Work-based and academic programs for young people Higher Education and the Labor Market An educated workforce is essential to the vibrant Washington economy Eligible Career Launch endorsed programs at public four-year institutions provide for new or expanded enrollment Native American Apprenticeship Assistance Program (NAAAP) Grants to Tribes to support Tribal members in state-registered apprenticeships Archive of Council updates and news releases Collection of interactive data tools for users to explore postsecondary attainment data, FAFSA completion data, and more WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) Vea esta página en Español Concerned about privacy?

Read the WASFA privacy statement . State Financial Aid for Non-FAFSA Applicants The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for people who choose not to file a federal FAFSA application . If you have completed the FAFSA, you have already applied for federal and state financial aid and do not need to complete the WASFA unless your college asks you to.

People who complete a WASFA are applying only for state aid. If you are eligible for federal aid , completing the FAFSA could maximize your potential financial aid awards. Should you complete a FAFSA or a WASFA?

If you are unsure if you should complete a FAFSA or a WASFA, complete the WASFA Questionnaire for more information; however, anyone uncomfortable with submitting a federal FAFSA form can use the WASFA to apply only for state aid. There are various reasons people may choose to complete a WASFA instead of a FAFSA.

For example: You or your parent(s) are undocumented or do not qualify for federal financial aid because of your immigration status. Your parent(s) or family member(s) do not wish to file a FAFSA. You have privacy concerns about filing a FAFSA.

You or your parent(s) do not and will not file federal income taxes. You have federal loans that are in default. You owe a repayment on federal grants.

A note on privacy: Students and families are asked to provide personal information when applying for financial aid. It’s a necessary part of the process, but it’s natural to have concerns about privacy. Anyone uncomfortable with submitting a federal FAFSA form can use the WASFA to apply only for state aid; however, they will miss out on any federal aid they could be eligible for.

Whether applying with FAFSA or WASFA , students and families should read any available privacy statements to understand where their data is going and how it is used. To find out if you qualify for state financial aid, complete the free WASFA. Your college or program will let you know if you meet state financial aid requirements after they review your WASFA.

Be sure to check your email regularly for communications from your college or training program. The 2026-27 WASFA application is open now! The 2025-26 WASFA is also available.

Which WASFA application year should I fill out? Complete the 2025-26 WASFA application if you are enrolling in college (as a new student or continuing student) in fall term 2025 through spring term 2026. Complete the 2026-27 WASFA application if you will enroll in college in fall term 2026 through spring term 2027.

Planning on taking courses in the summer? Please check with the college you will be attending to confirm which application you need to complete if you are enrolling in summer sessions. Complete a WASFA for the first time Complete the WASFA eligibility questionnaire Make a correction/Add a school Submit an application for a new year 2026-27 WASFA Application Guide — English ( (Word Document) ) ( PDF (PDF, 4.

12 MB) ) Spanish ( Word Document ) ( PDF (PDF, 4. 37 MB) ) 2026-27 Sample WASFA — PDF (PDF, 262. 33 KB) 2025-26 WASFA Application Guide — English ( Word Document ) ( PDF (PDF, 4.

08 MB) ) Spanish ( Word document ) ( PDF (PDF) ) 2025-26 Sample WASFA — PDF (PDF) Questions? Contact the Washington Student Achievement Council by email at wasfa@wsac. wa.

gov , or call 888-535-0747 and select option 2. Are you a Washington resident student? Students must be Washington residents to pay in-state tuition or get state financial aid.

Both U.S. citizens and non-citizens can be Washington residents, including undocumented students. In most cases, a Washington resident is someone who 1) lives in the state for one year immediately prior to starting their college or program and 2) has a high school diploma or equivalent. But there are other ways to be a resident.

Learn more on WSAC’s Student Residency web page. The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) administers state financial aid including the Washington College Grant, the College Bound Scholarship, and the Washington Application for State Financial Aid, or WASFA. The Council is committed to providing opportunities and support to ensure every Washington student is able to pursue education beyond high school.

Regarding concerns that students, parents, and other partners may have about the confidentiality of information submitted on the WASFA, the purpose of the application is to provide eligibility information to colleges and universities in Washington that offer the Washington College Grant and the College Bound Scholarship.

WSAC shares application information with campuses listed by the student so those schools may determine eligibility for resident tuition and financial aid. Campuses are not permitted to use the information for other purposes or share the data with other parties. WSAC is committed to protecting the confidentiality of the information and privacy of students and families.

Washington is a state committed to providing opportunities to students and protecting the rights of families. Read WSAC's statement on financial aid applicant privacy ( Español )