Washington students can now apply for 2027-28 college financial aid

High school seniors and other students planning college or job training can now apply for financial aid for the 2027-28 school year.

The federal FAFSA and the state's WASFA opened Oct. 1, the Washington Student Achievement Council said. U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens can use the FAFSA to apply for both federal and state aid. People who can't or choose not to file the FAFSA, including undocumented students, can apply for state aid only through the WASFA.

Either application automatically puts students in the running for the Washington College Grant, which has no deadline or separate application. The council said about half of Washington families qualify. For 2026-27, a family of four earning up to $139,500 can qualify, and that cutoff is expected to rise for 2027-28. Award amounts depend on income, family size and the school or program.

The grant covers low- and middle-income students of all ages working toward certificates and degrees, as well as apprentices in approved registered apprenticeship programs.

Only about half of Washington high school seniors have filed a FAFSA in recent years, according to the council.

"Apply today — you will never know how much financial aid you qualify for unless you do," Gov. Bob Ferguson said.

Applications and a grant calculator are at wagrant.org.