Financial Aid

Money is available to help you go to college if you and your family cannot afford to pay the full cost.  In Washington, state financial aid programs are known collectively as Washington Opportunity Pathways. 

You don’t have to be from a low-income family to qualify for some programs. Financial aid includes grants, loans, work study, and scholarships - and can be either need-based or merit-based.

Need-based aid is awarded to students who cannot pay for college without assistance and includes grants, loans, and work study.  Merit-based aid, generally  scholarships, is awarded to students based on academic, athletic, or other achievements or criteria.  Most students receive a combination of aid in what is called a financial aid package that is prepared by the financial aid office at your college, university, or career school.

 Applying for Financial Aid

 Frequently Asked Financial Aid Questions

Washington Opportunity Pathways

  American Indian Endowed Scholarship
  College Bound Scholarship

  Opportunity Grants - (administered by SBCTC)

  Passport for Foster Youth Promise Program

  State Need Grant

  State Work Study

  Washington Scholars

  WAVE (Washington Award for Vocational Excellence)

  WICHE Programs

Washington Conditional Loan Programs

  Aerospace Loan Program

  Future Teachers Conditional Scholarship and Loan Repayment
     - Alternative Routes and Educator Retooling
     - Other Teacher Opportunities

  GET Ready for Math and Science Conditional Scholarship

  Health Professional Loan Repayment/Scholarship Programs

  John R. Justice State Loan Repayment Program

Federal Aid and Benefit Programs
The federal government offers financial aid and other benefit programs to help
students pay for college.

  AmeriCorps

  Pell Grants

  Veterans Benefits

Tax Benefits for Education

You may be eligible for federal income tax credits and other deductions.

See IRS Publication 970: Tax Deductions for College Expenses, which includes
information about the following tax credits and deducations:

And more, please see the IRS site at: www.irs.gov/publications/p970/