Don’t let financial aid myths limit your options for the future
Think you can’t afford college or career education? Financial aid helps many students pay for education after high school, and more families in Washington are now eligible. Even if you didn’t qualify before, you might now!
Myth #1: My parents make too much money, so I won’t qualify for financial aid.
Fact: Applying for financial aid is the only way to know for sure whether you qualify. With the new Washington College Grant, an eligible student from a family of four making up to around $97,000 per year can receive some money for their education.
Myth #2: Financial aid only pays for universities. That takes four years—I need to start working now.
Fact: Financial aid can be used for many types of full-time or part-time education, including career and technical schools, community colleges, some apprenticeships, and yes, universities too. You have options!
Myth #3: I can’t apply for financial aid, because I don’t know what I’m going to do after high school.
Fact: You can complete a FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application before applying for college or training. You can make your final choice about whether and where to go later, and you’ll know more about what you can afford.
Learn more and apply for financial aid on the Washington Student Achievement Council website.

If someone in your family has lost a job or is working less, colleges may be able to provide more financial aid.  
Colleges may adjust financial aid based on a student’s or parent’s job loss, reduced income, loss of benefits (like child support), or even extraordinary medical or dental bills. Each situation is different, and colleges’ requirements vary, so students should contact the financial aid office to talk about options: 

• If you’ve already filed a 2020-21 FAFSA or WASFA, talk to the financial aid office about your situation. 
• If you haven’t applied for financial aid, it’s not too late. Submit your application, then follow up with the college to discuss changes. 

Never pay for assistance with the financial aid appeals process. If you need help, stick with free, trustworthy resources like SwiftStudent.

Learn more about financial aid appeals and planning for the future during COVID on the Washington Student Achievement Council website.

Financial Aid Calculator: This tool calculates potential awards from the Washington College Grant and Pell Grant programs.

CSS profile: The CSS Profile is an online application that collects information used by nearly 400 colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal aid.