Career & College Newsletter

I know you've been hearing a lot about financial aid recently, and this newsletter is the finale of information for the school year. Check out the amazing resources below, where you can go to find financial aid information year round.

Take care, and enjoy!

- Marcy

Washington state has the top need-based financial aid program in the country according to recent survey data, and the Washington College Grant (WA Grant) is the reason. Under the WA Grant, about half of all Washington households could get some money to pay for education beyond high school.

WA Grant is one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country. People of all ages from low- and middle-income families may qualify to get money for college, career training, and participating apprenticeships. WA Grant funding is guaranteed to eligible students, unlike its predecessor, the State Need Grant (SNG). Since the WA Grant program was established, the number of people getting grants each year has ranged from 14,000 to 22,000 above the service level of SNG in its final year. WA Grant was created by the state legislature in 2019, and eligibility has expanded over time.

Through the generous Washington College Grant (WA Grant), eligible College Bound students who fulfill the pledge get free public college tuition, or an equivalent amount for an approved private college or career school.

Not sure if you qualify or are enrolled in College Bound? Check with the Career Counselor at your high school.

If so, there are many resources available to help you thrive. Check out the below resources for help transitioning from high school to college or career. To start, review these documents:

• Financial Aid Information for Youth in Foster Care
• Financial Aid & Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

The Passport to Careers program helps Washington students—specifically those who have been in various types of foster care or who have experienced unaccompanied homelessness—to prepare for careers. Help includes money to put toward the costs of earning a college certificate or degree or job training through a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program. Help also includes experts to help answer your questions and navigate your pathway.

If you are eligible, you have the choice of two education pathways: one leads to a college degree or certificate, and one leads to an apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program.

The Passport to Careers program will help:

• Figure out what job would be a good fit for you.
• Provide money to pay for college or training to help you get that job.
• Provide money for living expenses while you are in college or job training.

Review the below pages within this Passport to Careers Guide to learn more about the Passport program and the people and resources that are here to help you:

• What is the Passport to Careers program?
• How do I get ready for college or an apprenticeship while I'm in middle school or high school?
• What steps do I need to take to be sure I can pay for college or apprenticeship?
• How do I apply for college, apprenticeships, and financial aid?
• Where can I get help from experts and access online resources to learn more?

Questions?

Find answers to common questions in the Passport to Careers program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

If you have questions about your specific situation, contact the Passport to Careers program at passport@wsac.wa.gov or 1-888-535-0747, option 3.

SchoolHouse Connection is the nation’s leading expert on the early care and education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Check out their Youth Resources webpage, where you will find help on topics such as:

• Getting ready for college
• Applying for the FAFSA
• Gathering vital documents
• Tax guidelines
• How to get a lease
• And more!

Don't forget to apply for the Youth Leadership and Scholarship Program! Applications are due by June 1st, 2024.

The ETV Program is a national program for youth who qualify and are likely to age out of the foster care system. The program offers financial assistance to eligible youth to attend an accredited college, university, vocational or technical college. Visit the ETV Program website to learn more and apply.

Visit this financial aid treasure trove, created by the Washington Student Achievement Council.

The Padlet is an interactive message board, updated by WA's financial aid experts.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a national leader in financial aid administration. These state leaders have created an AMAZING website for Washington students and families.

OtterBot for Students and Parents/Guardians is:

• A free texting service to support all Washington high school students and their parents/guardians. It is designed for seniors and juniors who are enrolled with College Bound.

• A great source of info about financial aid, college planning, and reminders.
• Available 24/7. Get started TODAY!

OtterBot for Student: Text "Hi OtterBot" to 360-928-7281

Otterbot for Parents: Text "Hi OtterBot" to 360-634-0354

Did you miss the TSD Financial Aid Night, or want to review the information? The below videos contain all of the information we covered at our Financial Aid Night (in English & Spanish)!

• Who’s the Parent for Financial Aid Purposes English and Spanish
  
• Financial Aid 101 Video available in English and Spanish
• Financial Aid 101 Presentation available in English and Spanish
• FSA new resource: Pro Tips for the 2024–25 FAFSA to support students and families
  
• 2024-25 FAFSA Corrections: Students who need to correct their FAFSA will be able to do so starting in mid-March
  

Free virtual events to walk students and families through the FAFSA.

Events hosted in February, March and April.

Register online

Most events are virtual. Spanish events are available.

Find Events Online

• Taking The Fear Out Of Applying For Financial Aid
• Simpler, more generous 2024-25 financial aid applications now available—but process will be slower
  
• Get Free Money: Know Your Financial Aid Applications
• Student Voices: Follow four students as they prepare for their futures
• Having problems with the FAFSA? Federal Student Aid (FSA) is identifying 2024–25 FAFSA Issues and providing workarounds when available.
• Data and Financial Aid Offer Delays: FSA is adjusting the new Student Aid Index (SAI). This change will deliver an additional $1.8 billion to students. To make this adjustment, the release of student applications to the colleges will be delayed until mid-March. As a result, financial aid offers from college this year will also be delayed.
  
• Parents without an SSN: They are currently unable to start or contribute to an existing 2024-25 FAFSA. There is no current workaround. FSA has not provided an estimated timeline in which this issue will be fixed. It impacts any student with a parent without an SSN, even if one parent has an SSN. Impacted students are not currently able to apply online. If a student has an immediate financial aid deadline, they can complete the 2024-25 Paper FAFSA (English) (Spanish). We encourage those without upcoming deadlines to wait until FSA corrects this issue.
  

For more information about financial aid, visit https://wsac.wa.gov/apply.

Jan 25, 2024 - Financial Aid (1)

Feb 5, 2024 - Financial Aid (2)