Students can get state financial aid with the WASFA if they aren't eligible to use the FAFSA Washington offers the Washington Application for State Financial Aid

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Students can get state financial aid with the WASFA if they aren't eligible to use the FAFSA

Washington offers the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) for people who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status, defaulted federal loans, or other issues with federal aid. The WASFA is an application for state and institutional financial aid only.

Financial aid is money that can help you pay for more education after high school. Complete the WASFA to see if you are eligible. 

Important info about the WASFA and its users:

  • The 2024-25 WASFA is a new and improved application with fewer questions and a simpler form. Learn more and apply online.

  • Instructions and form fields on the WASFA application are written in both English and Spanish.

  • State residency requirements now make it easier to get in-state tuition and state financial aid, making college or job training cost less. Many people who didn’t qualify before now do.

The WASFA is for people who are undocumented or who do not qualify for federal financial aid, and can be used in limited circumstances by others who choose not to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must meet state residency and program requirements to qualify.

Not sure whether you should use the FAFSA or the WASFA? Complete the WASFA questionnaire.

There are affordable college and training options for everyone, including students who are immigrants, are undocumented, or have DACA status. The first, best step is to apply for financial aid.

Concerned about privacy? Read the WASFA privacy statement.

Related Resources

Translated Materials

Educators and advocates are well-positioned to support and encourage students to dream big regardless of their immigration status or country of origin. To that end, WSAC produces some key resources in multiple languages:  

  • GEAR UP’s family newsletters include targeted college readiness and financial aid information for students in 7th through 12th grade. The newsletters are designed to be delivered from schools directly to families in their communities. Each edition is available in English and translated into Arabic, Chuukese, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.   

  • The Financial Aid Toolkit includes several resources translated into multiple languages. Most are available in English and Spanish. Many are available in additional languages.

Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) sends regular messages to our partners and stakeholders with resources and information about college planning, financial aid, and more. Feel free to use this content—as-is or edited for your audience—in emails, newsletters, social media, or other materials. No attribution is necessary.

CHA Washington