Financial Aid: FAFSA / WASFA
Resources to help you with your WASFA, FAFSA, loans, and more!
Want Support completing a FAFSA or WASFA?
Join an FNW local or virtual event here
Get 1-1 virtual support here from FuturesNW (all free)
Find additional free personalized support by booking an appointment with The College Success Foundation, Washington Student Achievement Council’s 12th year campaign, or uAspire.
If you are ready to get started completing your FAFSA or WASFA and want some step-by-step links to complete your application, click on the padlet below for everything you need in one spot.
FAFSA and WASFA Application Resources
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In addition to the resources below, we recommend checking out WSAC’s How to Apply for Financial Aid page.
https://wsac.wa.gov/apply?utm_medium=email&utm_source=WSAC
Step-by-step Padlet:
https://padlet.com/christinaw12/t6jfitu7m8in10xc
If you have any questions about Financial Aid, the WSAC Support Modules most likely have your answers. Every module features a resource, video, and Kahoot quiz for your use.https://wsac.wa.gov/12th-year-campaign
On WSAC’s website, they host an amazing amount of information on financial aid of every type. We recommend starting there and working through their PowerPoint presentations to start off on the right footing: https://wsac.wa.gov/sfa-overview. We also have videos below that may be helpful before you get started.
PRO TIP: Write down your FSA ID and password in a safe place you can remember! It can be hard to retrieve it if you lose it! If you have a Junior/Senior workbook, on page 32 you can write down that info.For your own copy download the workbook here.
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FuturesNW supported Financial Aid workshops:
If you have questions, want an expert to look over your forms and check for mistakes, we have great news! We host events throughout the year to help families fill out the FAFSA or WASFA. Our Calendar has details for all those events.Additionally, you can find personalized support by booking an appointment with the Washington Student Achievement Council’s 12th year campaign or uAspire. Both are free!
Get one-on-one support (scholarships, college applications, and Financial Aid applications) from a FuturesNW team member by emailing Atiana Garza to set up a virtual appointment: agarza@futuresnw.org
If you can’t make it to a workshop but have a FuturesNW mentor at your school, they are happy to answer questions on your Financial Aid applications or get you the additional support you may need.
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Video: https://youtu.be/JgJpbMhRyCI
Questionnaire: https://wsac.wa.gov/WASFAelig
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Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college or grad school.
Step 1: Create an FSA ID: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
Worksheet linked here to write down your account information
How to create your FSA ID or WASFA account video: English, Spanish
Step #2: Complete the FAFSA: (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
EnglishAdditional Resources
Financial Aid Completion Documents Checklists
Document checklist (what you’ll need to complete the FAFSA and WASFA)
Account Creation presentation (12th year)
FSA ID Account Creation without SSN
Financial Aid 101 (12th year )
Who is my parent on the FAFSA?
Step-by-Step Padlet: https://padlet.com/christinaw12/t6jfitu7m8in10xc
Do you need to make a correction?
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WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid)
State Financial Aid for Undocumented Individuals and Select Non-Citizens
“Washington State offers financial aid programs to students who aren’t eligible for federal financial aid because of immigration status. These students still need to meet other program requirements.”https://wsac.wa.gov/wasfa
For a complete, step-by-step lesson on how to complete your WASFA click here: https://wsac.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-2025-WASFA-updated-instructions.pdfStep-by-Step Padlet: https://padlet.com/christinaw12/t6jfitu7m8in10xc
Additional Resources:
Financial Aid Completion Documents Checklists
Document checklist (what you’ll need to complete the FAFSA and WASFA)
Account Creation presentation (12th year)
Financial Aid 101 (12th year )
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If you have already submitted your Financial Aid application but you need to modify it due to a change in circumstance, check out Swift Student, or see our Financial Aid Modification documents under each of our local college’s Financial Aid listings.
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Award letter comparison calculator: https://www.uaspire.org/calculator
How to use the award letter calculator
Worksheets:
Key Components
Living on CampusUnderstanding your Award video:
Financial Aid Calculator:
This tool (https://portal.wsac.wa.gov/a/aid-calculator/) calculates potential awards from the Washington College Grant and Pell Grant programs. There may be more aid available to you from other state and federal programs, from private scholarships, or directly from the college you attend. The only way to know for sure how much financial aid you can receive is to complete a FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application. For more information, contact the college’s financial aid office.
To look at a sample Financial Aid award letter, click hereAdditional resources:
13 Things to Know When Evaluating Your Financial Aid Offers.
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For video resources check the Washington Student Achievement Council’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/WSACouncil/videos
College Success Foundation: Financial Aid walk through videos
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Foster care Resources below from WSAC:
Washington Education and Training Voucher (ETV): A national program for youth who qualify and are likely to age out of the foster care system. Offers financial assistance for college expenses. The shared ETV Common Application applies to both Passport to College and the ETV Program.
SETuP: Explanation of the Supplemental Education Transition Planning program and SETuP provider contact information by region.
Independence.wa.gov: Many resources for youth and alumni of foster care, including financial aid information.
Fostering College Knowledge: Includes information about planning and paying for college for former foster youth.
The Foster Care Transition Toolkit: Intended to help youth currently in foster care and young adults formerly in foster care access the information and resources needed to begin their transition to young adulthood. Topics covered include transition planning, accessing educational opportunities, finding job and career support, managing your money, secure housing and more.
Treehouse: Helps foster care youth graduate from high school and pursue their future. Ask your DCYF Children’s Administration, tribal, or federal foster care caseworker if you qualify.
Careeronestop: Information for former foster youth about finding housing, paying for college and training, and protecting your identity.
Tribal foster care
Tribal Foster Care System: Information regarding Indian Child Welfare foster care.
Washington State Tribal Directory: Contact your federally recognized tribe for specific information regarding your foster care status.
Federal foster care/unaccompanied refugee minors
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC): Information about the program for foster youth placed across state lines in DCSF care.
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC): Caseworker contact list.
Unaccompanied Refugees Minors Program: Information about the program for foster youth who are refugee children who arrive in the U.S. with no parent or guardian.
Title 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1522 of the immigration and nationality act: The federal code for the assistance for refugee children.
24 hour text support
If you have questions on your Financial Aid application, but don’t have direct access to a professional who can help, ask Otterbot!
If you’re not quite ready to get started, we highly recommend starting at https://www.studentloaned.wa.gov for beautifully detailed and clear information on navigating a variety for Financial Aid questions.