FAFSA & WAFSA Completion

Cascade Middle School with poster that reads "What will you do today to prepare for college?"

Unlocking financial aid to make postsecondary education possible

Despite having one of the most generous state financial aid programs in the country, Washington state ranks 47th in the nation in FAFSA completion—the federal form that connects students to financial aid for college, apprenticeships, and career training programs.

Students in Washington who don’t qualify for federal aid can fill out the WASFA—Washington Application for State Financial Aid—to access state financial assistance.

Why this matters
For many students, concerns about cost are one of the biggest barriers to pursuing postsecondary education. But Washington state has the resources to help. Students just need to know about them and complete the forms.

84%

Seniors who complete the FAFSA are 84% more likely to immediately enroll in postsecondary education.

Seniors who complete the FAFSA are 84% more likely to immediately enroll in postsecondary education. When students complete the FAFSA or WASFA, they discover opportunities they didn’t know existed. They learn that college might be more affordable than they thought—or even completely covered. This simple step opens doors to apprenticeships, career certifications, community colleges, and four-year universities that can set them on a path toward upward mobility and financial stability.

Our commitment
We’re working with partners across Washington to ensure that every student knows about financial aid options, has support to complete the applications, and can confidently pursue the postsecondary opportunities that lead to the future they want.

The good news: Washington’s generous financial aid programs

Washington state provides the most need-based financial aid in the country. The Washington College Grant (WA Grant) is one of the most generous financial aid programs in the nation. Since 2021, the WA Grant has helped cover the entire cost of college for eligible students—and has helped double college enrollment among low-income students, especially at community and technical colleges.

For many students, completing the FAFSA or WASFA reveals that they qualify for enough financial aid to cover their full tuition. But students and families won’t know what they’re eligible for unless they complete the application.

What we’re doing

We’re working with partners across Washington state to help more students and families understand their financial aid options and successfully complete the FAFSA or WASFA. Our support includes:

Regional partnerships

Through our Horizons Regional Grant Program and Limitless Learning Network, we’re supporting local partnerships that are implementing coordinated strategies to increase FAFSA/WASFA completion—from hosting family workshops to embedding advisors in schools who can provide hands-on support.

Statewide coordination

We support partners like the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) and College Success Foundation who provide resources to help schools host financial aid outreach events.