Washington State Aid Details

Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)

The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for people who don’t file a federal FAFSA application. People who complete a WASFA are applying for state aid. There are various reasons to complete a WASFA instead of a FAFSA:

• A person may not be eligible for federal aid due to:
  • Citizenship or immigration status, including being undocumented.
  • Defaulted federal student loans.
  • Repayments owed on federal grants.
• A person may choose not to apply for federal aid due to:
  • Family members who do not want to file the FAFSA.
  • Other personal reasons.

After you complete the WASFA, the college will determine whether you meet state residency requirements and state financial aid eligibility. State financial aid could include Washington College Grant, the College Bound Scholarship, Passport to Careers, National Guard Grant, or State Work Study.

Washington College Grant

• Enrollment Level Range: 3 or more credit
  Annual Award Amount Range: $433-$6,944
  Need Based Aid: Yes
  Subject to Return if Student Drops 100% of Their Quarter Classes: No
• The Washington College Grant (WCG) is financial aid funding for low-income students. This funding is awarded based on state-legislated income criteria which creates an MFI%. Financial Aid Staff uses a table to determine a student’s award amount based on enrollment and MFI%.
• Students may only receive 5 years of funding.

College Bound

• Enrollment Level Range: 3 or more credit
  Annual Award Amount Range: $500-$2,233
  Need Based Aid: Yes
  Subject to Return if Student Drops 100% of Their Quarter Classes: No
• To qualify for College Bound Scholarships, students had to enroll in the College Bound program in high school and meet certain requirements.
• The College Bound Scholarship offers additional funding for those students who qualify for the Washington College Grant.
• Students with this scholarship are guaranteed Washington College Grant funds so long as they meet the criteria and have enough need.

Passport to College

• Enrollment Level Range: 6 or more credit
  Annual Award Amount Range: $1,500-2,000
  Need Based Aid: Yes
  Subject to Return if Student Drops 100% of Their Quarter Classes: No
• This scholarship is for former foster youth or unaccompanied homeless youth
• While the Financial Aid Office tries to identify all students who meet the criteria, if you are a former foster youth, or are an unaccompanied homeless youth, please identify yourself to the Financial Aid Office so we can determine your eligibility for this scholarship.

State Work Study

• Enrollment Level Range: 6 or more credit
  Annual Award Amount Range: $0-$5,000
  Need Based Aid: Yes
  Subject to Return of Title IV: No but the student must stop work immediately if they drop all Highline classes
• State Work Study is an allotment of funds that you can earn by getting a Work Study job on campus. You do not get the Work Study funding upfront but earn it as you work through a twice monthly paycheck. Once you have earned all of your Work Study funding for the year, you either need to quit your job, come into the Financial Aid Office to see if you can receive more Work Study funding, or have your employer switch you from Work Study to the employer’s office budget.
• Work Study funds are given out first come first serve to students who are hired into positions. It is important to secure a position quickly when authorized for Federal Work Study because funds will run out quickly and many employers will close down their positions when there is no more Work Study available.