The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for people who choose not to file a federal FAFSA application. People who complete a WASFA are applying for state aid only. There are various reasons people choose to complete a WASFA instead of a FAFSA. For example:
You or your parent(s) are undocumented or do not qualify for federal financial aid because of your immigration status.
Your parent(s) or family member(s) do not wish to file a FAFSA.
You have privacy concerns about filing a FAFSA.
You or your parent(s) do not and will not file federal income taxes.
You have federal loans that are in default.
You owe a repayment on federal grants.
After you complete the WASFA, the college(s) or program(s) you choose will determine whether you meet state residency requirements and state financial aid eligibility. State financial aid could include Washington College Grant (WA Grant), College Bound, Passport to Careers, National Guard Grant, or State Work Study.
The following questions will help you decide which application to complete, recognizing that anyone can choose to file a WASFA instead of a FAFSA. If, for any reason, you have filed both a FAFSA and a WASFA for the same year, please notify your financial aid office to avoid any delays in your financial aid.
1) Are you any of the following?
U.S. citizen.
U.S. permanent resident with a Permanent Resident Card (also known as a "Green Card").
U.S. national (including American Samoa or Swains Island).
Citizen of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia.
T-Visa holder.
Person with Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) status.
Person with an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) showing any of the following:
Refugee
Asylum Granted
Cuban-Haitian Entrant
Conditional Entrant (if issued before April 1, 1980)
Parolee (you must be paroled for at least one year, and you must be able to show that you are in the United States for other-than-temporary reasons with the intention of becoming a U.S. citizen or permanent resident)
2) Have you completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
Submit the WASFA to apply for Washington state aid
Based on your responses, you should complete a WASFA to apply for Washington state financial aid.
Click the link below to complete your WASFA on the Regent website. For more information, or to update your application in the future, please visit: wsac.wa.gov/wasfa.
We encourage you to create a profile on thewashboard.org. On this free site, you can search and apply for scholarships that match your qualities and interests.
You may submit the FAFSA to apply for Washington state aid
Based on your responses, you are eligible to apply for federal aid. You may complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The college(s) or program(s) you choose on the FAFSA will also determine your eligibility for state aid.
If you choose to apply using the FAFSA, click the link below to complete your application on the FAFSA website. For more information, or to update your application in the future, please visit fafsa.gov.
If you choose to apply only for state aid using the WASFA, check the box below, and then click the WASFA button.
Although I can apply for federal and state aid using the FAFSA, I am choosing to complete the WASFA. I understand that by completing the WASFA, I will only be considered for state aid.
If your FAFSA application was successfully processed by the U.S. Department of Education, you have already applied for federal and state financial aid. The college(s) or program(s) you listed on your FAFSA will determine your eligibility. You do not need to complete a WASFA unless your financial aid office tells you to.
If you have questions, contact the financial aid office at your college.
We encourage you to create a profile on thewashboard.org. On this free site, you can search and apply for scholarships that match your qualities and interests.
