Media Release: Emergency Relief Grant

State provides $5 million through the Emergency Relief Grant to support undocumented students

March 3, 2021

Olympia—Washington colleges serving eligible undocumented students will soon have access to $5 million in emergency funding to support undocumented students affected by the COVID pandemic.

Funds will be allocated to campuses based on the number of eligible undocumented students at their campus.  For the Emergency Relief Grant fund, eligible students are resident, undocumented students who:

1. Demonstrate financial need
2. Submitted the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
3. Did not qualify for federally funded student financial aid because of their citizenship status. 
4. Have been enrolled or will be enrolling as a student in the 2020-21 academic year.

Colleges can extend the funds to other students from the undocumented student population who meet residency and other criteria, including those in short-term certificate or graduate programs. Colleges may distribute the funds to students in need until June 30, 2021. Students who previously received CARES/HEER student emergency financial aid grants will not have access to the funds.

The funding source stems from House Bill 1368 (2021), signed into law by Governor Inslee in February. The Washington Student Achievement Council is partnering with colleges in the implementation of the Emergency Relief Grant program. 

About the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)

The Washington Student Achievement Council is committed to increasing educational opportunities and attainment in Washington.