College Process + Financial Aid
Welcome to the college process. This page is meant to be a step-by-step guide for students and families navigating college exploration, applications, admissions, financial aid, and scholarships.
Step 1: College Exploration
Educational Opportunity vs Reputation
College exploration is essential. There are over 4,000 colleges in the United States alone.
A great resource for learning about college is The College Tour. This show tours colleges all over the country, interviewing students, professors, and presidents along the way.
When researching, consider these three factors. Academic rigor is already assumed.
1) Happiness: a student cannot be successful if they are not happy where and what they study.
2) Successful: If students can be successful in college, they will carry that confidence forward with them into their professional lives.
3) Supported: Students should have access to institutional supports such as accessibility services for physical and learning disabilities, mental health specialists, and academic supports such as writing and research centers. Another form of support is student body culture. Prospective students and their families should research what clubs and student groups are active at any college or university.
Pre-College Summer Programs
Many colleges have pre-college summer programs for high school students. These are a great opportunity for students to get a sense of a campus. However, they do not necessarily increase a student's chances of an acceptance to the school.
Promotional materials for pre-college summer programs can be found here.
Maximize Success At College
Rethinking College Rankings
Bridge To Campus Podcast
Perdue University and The Value of the Liberal Arts
Step 2: Applying to College
Watch This First
Ways to Apply
There are many different ways to apply to college. Below are the sites and resources you'll need.
Common App:
Create a profile, add colleges, writer your college essay and apply directly to colleges throughout the United States and even Europe with a single application.
Here is a great video series on how to fill out your Common App.
California State University
Cal State schools use their own application portal. Here is a Cal State Application Guide: cal-state-apply-freshman-application-guide25-26.pdf
University of California
Similar to Cal State schools, the UC system uses its own application portal. Here is UC Application Guide: quick-reference-guide-to-uc-admissions.pdf
Washington State Community and Technical College Application Portal (ctclink)
Ctclink is where students who apply to Washington State Community and Technical Colleges can view their standing. However, it's not actually where a student applies. Students who apply to a community or technical college, will do so on the website of the school itself, then will be granted a ctclink account through that school.
Helpful Resources
Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program
WAGAP is the commitment of six Washington State schools to admit students who meet a few minimum requirements.
1) Earn and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher
2) Make sure you’re taking the right classes. (College Academic Distribution Requirements)
3) You’re in!
Participating Washington Colleges are:
- Western Washington University
- Washington State University
- Eastern Washington University
- Central Washington University
- University of Washington: Tacoma
- The Evergreen State College
All of these schools can be applied to through Common App.
PTSA College Essay Workshop
The College Essay Workshop by the PTSA is a great service for students to work with trained tutors. Volunteers are available in person from September - November of each year at LWHS, and on Zoom more regularly. They also offer email support via their website.
The College Essay Guy
Here you can find a collection of tips, tricks, and resources. Some of the ones we recommend are:
Step 3: Financial Aid and Paying for College
FAFSA and WASFA
FAFSA and WASFA are government programs that help students access grants and loans. A student can only apply for one of these government programs.
WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) provides access to financial aid to students within the state of Washington. Aid given under WASFA can only be within the State of Washington. WASFA is available for those who may not otherwise be eligible for the FAFSA. Not sure if this is you? There is a WASFA Questionnaire to help those who are unsure.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) gives students access to grants and loans per student needs. If you consider not participating in the FAFSA, consider the fact that many colleges and external scholarship awarders require students to have an SAI (Student Aid Index) in order to apply and receive awards. There is no reason not to do the FAFSA if you are eligible. Loans awarded through FAFSA do not have to be claimed, but it is the only way for a student to be awarded an SAI number.
FAFSA FAQs Playlist
Preparing For FAFSA Playlist
FAFSA Process Playlist
After Submitting FAFSA Playlist
Financial Aid 101
All About WASFA
WASFA Application and navigation
Step 4: Applying to Scholarships
Scholarship Deadline Calendar
College Specific Scholarships
Colleges typically have their own scholarship programs. Below are links to some common colleges and their scholarship sites.
Scholarships are far more available than most students realize. There are thousands of scholarships out there. From scholar programs like The McDermott Scholars at UT Dallas to national scholarships like the Be Bold No-Essay, Profile-Based scholarship, to local initiatives like the Kirkland Rotary Scholarship, there are many awards out there, and tools to help find them.
The College and Career Center Keeps a folder of digital, printable, Scholarship Applications: Here
When a student applies to a scholarship keep these points in mind:
- The application must be completed by the student themselves.
- Read and follow instructions carefully.
- Do NOT us any AI in the application process.
- All work must be original work of the student applying for the scholarship.
Winning a Scholarship:
When a student wins a scholarship, the organization that grants the award will contact the recipient with further instructions. However, the student may need to follow up with the scholarship committee after they enroll in college.
Scholarship Search Engines and Links
General Scholarship Search Engines:
Scholarship Search Engines (GearUp)
Western Undergraduate ExchangE
Undergraduate Scholarships | Horatio Alger
Local Search Engine:
Did you know that Washington has a great scholarship-searching tool that is administered by the Washington Student Achievement Council called theWashBoard.org? Unlike other web-based scholarship searching tools, the goal of theWashboard.org is to connect students with available local and state scholarships. TheWashBoard.org is free to use. They do not use spam, marketing ads, or pop-up advertisements on the site.
The Washington College Grant
Completing a FAFSA or WASFA application is the first step to accessing state financial aid—free money from the State of Washington to help pay for many types of education, including career training, college, or an apprenticeship.
To apply, complete a federal or state financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA).