College Bound
The College Bound Commitment
Through the generous Washington College Grant (WA Grant), eligible College Bound students who fulfill the pledge get free public college tuition, or an equivalent amount for an approved private college or career school. Students must apply for financial aid and attend a participating college in Washington.
This page contains information for students, families, counselors, and anyone interested in the College Bound program.
Information for Students and Families
NEW: The College Bound pledge has been updated, effective fall 2023! Now, students who attend community college or tech school are no longer required to have a 2.0 GPA in high school. Click "The Pledge" tab below for the more info.
We've gathered the most important information about the College Bound program to share with our students and families in Washington State. View the tabs below to find out about applying, eligibility, the College Bound pledge, and more.
FAQs for Students
Frequently Asked Questions
- If you have questions, we have answers! We've compiled our most frequently asked questions into a single document for your use. This is especially useful for high school students and their families getting ready to access College Bound. Available in English and Spanish.
Sign Up Requirements
Auto-enrollment
Students who meet one of the following requirements are automatically enrolled in College Bound:
- Students who are in public school and eligible for free-and-reduced price lunch in 7th, 8th, or newly eligible in 9th grade.
- Students who are in state foster care, or a dependent of the state between 7th grade and high school graduation.
Other ways to qualify
Some students do not fit into either scenario but are interested in applying for College Bound. Students and families can contact the College Bound program to apply if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Attend a private school or homeschool program in Washington State and meet the income requirements.
- Are in another type of foster care and not eligible for free-and-reduced price lunch.
| Household size | Annual Income* | Monthly Income | Weekly Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $36,482 | $3,041 | $702 |
| 3 | $45,991 | $3,833 | $885 |
| 4 | $55,500 | $4,625 | $1,068 |
| 5 | $65,009 | $5,418 | $1,251 |
| 6 | $74,518 | $6,210 | $1,434 |
| Additional members** | $9,509 | $793 | $183 |
*Household income must be less than or equal to this amount.
**For each additional household member, add that dollar amount
The Pledge
What is the College Bound Pledge?
As a part of the College Bound sign-up process, students pledge to do the following:
- Graduate from a Washington State high school or homeschool program with a cumulative 2.0 GPA if they plan to attend a four-year public or private college directly after high school.
- *Beginning fall of 2023, there are no GPA requirements for students who plan to attend a community college or technical school. Students should confirm with their school if their district requires a certain GPA to graduate.
- Get accepted to and go to one of the over 65 participating colleges, universities, or programs within one year of graduating high school.
- Have no felony convictions.
- Complete a financial aid application form, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) beginning their senior year and meet income requirements.
Using the Scholarship
How will students get the scholarship?
Use this flyer (PDF) to learn more about how to access the College Bound program
To earn College Bound funding through Washington College Grant, students must do the following:
- Fulfill the pledge requirements and meet state residency requirements.
- Complete a financial aid application during senior year of high school and each year in college, and be determined as income-eligible (see table).
- Be accepted to and attend an eligible college within one academic year of high school graduation.
- Be in good standing at their college. This could be GPA or student code of conduct and is specific to each school.
Where can students use College Bound?
- Students can use College Bound at over 65 schools across Washington.
| College Bound Scholarship 2023-24 Maximum Award Amounts* |
|
|---|---|
Institution |
Award |
| Public Research | |
| University of Washington | $12,456 |
| Washington State University | $12,036 |
| Public Comprehensive | |
| Central Washington University | $8,193 |
| Eastern Washington University | $7,761 |
| The Evergreen State College | $8,302 |
| Western Washington University | $8,450 |
| Other Eligible Institutions | |
| Private four-year colleges and universities | $12,456 |
| WGU Washington | $7,540 |
| Public community and technical ,colleges | $5,073 |
| Private career colleges | $5,073 |
*2023-24 Maximum CBS Award Amounts Combined with Washington College Grant for 3 Quarters/2 Semesters
Income Eligibility to Receive CBS
Who is income-eligible to receive the College Bound Scholarship in college?
In order to access College Bound, a family’s income must be at or below the amount in the chart for their household size. This chart changes each year. It is important that students apply for financial aid every year they plan to attend college. Students must also meet the CBS Pledge requirements.
2023-24 Income Chart
| Household size | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $38,000 |
| 2 | $49,500 |
| 3 | $61,500 |
| 4 | $73,000 |
| 5 | $84,500 |
| 6 | $96,500 |
| 7 | $98,500 |
| 8 | $100,500 |
Tools and Resources
Accessing the Scholarship
- This handout provides an overview of the steps needed to receive the scholarship. Available in English and Spanish.
Join our Newsletter
- Sign up for our free email newsletter to receive advice on College Bound, financial aid, and college and career-planning.
Financial Aid Calculator
- This tool estimates what Washington College Grant and Pell Grant financial aid might look like for a student.
Otterbot Texting Service
- OtterBot is a free texting service that can help College Bound seniors with the financial aid process. OtterBot sends reminders and can answer questions about financial aid 24/7!
Information for School Counselors and Staff
The College Bound program provides ample resources and guidance for counselors and practitioners working with College Bound students. In addition to the resources on this page, school and nonprofit organization staff can order free promotional materials to assist students and their families.
School and nonprofit organization staff can use the tools and resources below to inform students and their families about how to maintain eligibility, meet program requirements, and access College Bound. Many resources are available in multiple languages.
College Bound Online Portal for Staff
College Bound Online Portal for Staff
College Bound has an online portal called the Toolbox. The Toolbox allows school staff to track College Bound applications, update student information, and see which students have completed the FAFSA (high school access). Email us with your name, title, school, district and office phone number to request access to the secure portal.
College Bound Portal Bulk Update Tool for Student Bad Addresses
- Find answers to our most frequently asked questions in the Bulk Update FAQs.
Toolbox
- Log into the Portal, then select: Programs > College Bound > Toolbox
- Why use the toolbox?
- College Bound Toolbox tutorial
MS Resources
Order College Bound materials and swag
- Order free promotional College Bound items.
Middle School Intro Flyers
- This one-page printable PDF walks students and families through College Bound basics. Available in English. Additional languages available soon.
Student and Family CBS Presentation
- This PowerPoint can be used when presenting to students and families. Available in English and Spanish.
Join our Newsletter
- Sign up for our free email newsletter to receive advice on College Bound, financial aid, and college and career-planning.
College Bound Information for Middle School Students
- Download this template (coming soon) with College Bound information for middle school students. Add your school logo, events, and contact information to customize and share on your school website.
HS Resources
Order College Bound materials and swag
Order free promotional College Bound items.
High School Intro Flyer
- This one-page printable PDF walks students and families through College Bound basics. Available in English. Additional languages available soon.
Accessing the Scholarship
- This handout outlines the student, school and College Bound program roles and responsibilities. Available in English and Spanish.
Join our Newsletter
- Sign up for our free email newsletter to receive advice on College Bound, financial aid, and college and career-planning.
College Bound Myths
- This handout covers the common myths and facts about College Bound. Available in English, Spanish, Russian, Somali, and Vietnamese.
Student and Family CBS Presentation
- This PowerPoint can be used when presenting to students and families. Available in English and Spanish.
College Bound Information for High School Students
- Download this template (coming soon) with College Bound information for high school students. Add your school logo, events, and contact information to customize and share on your school website.
Washington College Grant
- The Washington College Grant (WA Grant) is a state financial aid program that provides more aid to more students than ever before. The WA Grant handout is available in 13 languages.
Financial Aid Toolkit
- Access more resources to promote financial aid and college going in the Financial Aid Toolkit.
Web Resources
Web: 12th Year Campaign
- The 12th Year Campaign boosts college and financial aid application rates in Washington by helping those working with high school seniors and their families complete applications for college admissions and financial aid. Visit the 12th Year web page for more information.
Plan Your Future
- Find more information and resources on our Plan Your Future page to support students planning for life after high school.
FAQs for Counselors
CBS Counselor Frequently Asked Questions
- Find answers to our most frequently asked questions in our FAQs.
College Bound Portal Bulk Update Tool for Student Bad Addresses
- Find answers to our most frequently asked questions in the Bulk Update FAQs.
Partnerships, Legislative Statutes, and Reports
Legislative Foundation
RCW 28B.118
The College Bound Scholarship is designed to inspire and encourage Washington middle school students from low-income families to prepare for and pursue postsecondary education. The early commitment of state funding for tuition is intended to alleviate the financial barriers preventing students from considering college as a possibility.
WAC 250-84
Outlines the program parameters, including student identification, eligibility, scholarship award amounts, and the roles of the Agency and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
Partner Support and Resources
Partner Support and Resources
The Washington College Access Network (WCAN) is the college access arm of the College Success Foundation, with the mission to increase postsecondary enrollment for all Washington State students particularly among students experiencing poverty, first-generation college-going students, and students of color. WCAN is a key partner in supporting College Bound outreach and regional support. The team assists in College Bound training, financial aid completion support, and college access efforts across the state. Visit their website to find regional contacts.
College Knowledge
This workbook walks students through how to plan and prepare for college. It is outlined by grade and subject area and available in multiple languages. Visit WCAN’s website to download these materials or the 12th Year Campaign site to order hard copies.