Scholarships
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application colleges use to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs.
For students to be considered for financial aid in Washington, one of two applications needs to be completed: the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid). Financial aid consists of funds from federal, state, college or university (institutional), and private sources. These funds come in the form of grants (free), scholarships (merit/talent based), loans, and work-study employment.
Below are some helpful tools when creating a FAFSA account, and what to expect after you've finished. Please connect with your institution's financial aid office to inquire about your FAFSA status.
- To help you decide which application is the best for you, be sure to use the following link: https://wsac.wa.gov/sfa-overview
- FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- WASFA: https://wsac.wa.gov/wasfa
- Financial Aid 101 from Ready.Set.Grad
Washington Application for State Financial Aid
What if you do not qualify for FAFSA due to immigration status?
Washington State offers financial aid programs to students who are not eligible for federal financial aid because of immigration status. These students still need to meet other program requirements.
Washington State offers financial aid programs to students who are NOT eligible for federal financial aid because of immigration status. To determine eligibility, the student will answer three Eligibility Questions when clicking on the WASFA New User Account link. If eligibility is met, then the application program will allow the student to "Create New Account" for the WASFA Application.
For current SHS seniors who are NOT eligible for federal financial aid because of immigration status, you will complete the WASFA form if you plan to attend college Fall.