FAFSA

For U.S. citizens and eligible permanent residents, plan to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who are attending college withing the state of Washington will also be considered for state financial aid and institutional aid by submitting the FAFSA. The FAFSA is available October 1st of your senior year. Make sure you complete the form specific for the year you will be in college.

Colleges each have their own FAFSA filing deadline.  Some as early as November for institutional scholarship consideration! Check each college's financial aid deadline for for more information.

Do you plan to attend a community college?  Don't wait to fill out your FAFSA - fill it out in the fall and plan to apply to your intended community college later in the spring.  Financial Aid money is often "first come first served" so fill out your FAFSA earlier and hold your place in the virtual financial aid "line".

FAFSA Completion Video Tutorial

Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel

WAFSA

For students who are ineligible for federal financial aid, due to immigration status, there is an alternate application. These student should submit the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) in order to receive financial aid directly from the state of Washington as well as the college. The WASFA is available October 1st of your senior year. Make sure you complete the form specific for the year you will be in college.

12th Year Campaign

The 12th Year Campaign offers numerous financial aid information and completion workshops throughout the fall. Click HERE for the event schedule.

What's Next After the FAFSA/WASFA?

After you are accepted to your future college and you have successfully submitted your FAFSA or WASFA, AND you have submitted any college specific forms or documentation required by the college, each colleges will issue you a Financial Aid Award Letter. The letter will outline how much financial assistance you will receive in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and work study. Use the information in these letters to determine if the college is affordable for you and your family.

Colleges will often request additional documents and forms prior to issuing the Financial Aid Award, or prior to dispersing aid.  Especially for students who submitted the FAFSA through a "conditional" status. Monitor each of your college application portals to know what information the college is requesting. Contact each college's Office of Financial Aid if you have any questions.

Naviance Scholarship Search

This is a database of scholarship offerings. The database is maintained by the Edmonds School District College & Career Specialists, and it will be the best source for student to locate all of the local and regional scholarship opportunities. Students can access the database in Naviance Student by selecting the Colleges tab and clicking on Scholarship Search in the Scholarships & Money column. The application information with links are contained within each listing. This list is updated weekly and will grow significantly throughout the year. Check back frequently for additions.

Naviance National Scholarship Search

Naviance also contains a national scholarship search engine. Students can access it by clicking the Colleges tab and selecting National Scholarship Search in the Scholarships & Money column.

Institutional Scholarships

Colleges have their own scholarships!  Sometimes merely applying to the college serves as the scholarship application.  Some colleges have separate applications.  Search for scholarships on the "financial aid" page of each college's website.  

Other Scholarship Search Engines