OtterBot

Texting guide

Texting guide:

WSAC doesn’t charge users, but message and data rates may apply depending on their text plan. WSAC takes user privacy seriously. The info users provide us will only be used to send resources and reminders they are interested in. 

• To unsubscribe: Users can text #stop.
• Opting in: Users can resume support during a pause period or opt back into the service by texting #start.

Hashtags

Hashtags:

Hashtag commands and descriptions:

#Stop – unsubscribes users from OtterBot messaging.
#Pause – pauses OtterBot messaging for two weeks.
#Language – prompts a language change to one of over 100 messages.
#Changename – prompts a name update for the contact.
#FAFSA – provides additional information about the FAFSA application.
#FSAID – provides additional information about the FSA ID creation process.
#WASFA – provides additional information about the WASFA application.
#CollegeBound – provides additional information about the College Bound program.
#Scholarshipbot – Gives students access to the Scholarship Bot search feature.
#Follow-up – Prompts students email in for direct follow-up from WSAC staff.

College Bound & OtterBot

College Bound & OtterBot:

OtterBot was created in 2019 to support students who have signed up for College Bound and is managed by MainStay (formally AdmitHub) and WSAC. OtterBot expanded services to parents/guardians as of March 1, 2023. Our combined partnership ensures Washington students and parents/guardians have access to helpful financial aid resources any time they need support.

• Contact info is provided by school staff members in WSAC’s online portal.
• This step is critical and allows WSAC to communicate with students and their parents/guardians about College Bound. 

OtterBot’s SMS Privacy Statement

OtterBot’s SMS Privacy Statement

The Washington Student Achievement Council receives student and parent or guardian contact information from schools through a secure data-sharing agreement with the state. This is part of a statewide effort to help all high school students learn about their college and financial aid options. Contact info is used to share tips and reminders about applying to college or career training, receiving financial aid, college readiness and exploration, and regional support or events. We never sell data; information is protected under state and federal laws. If you were contacted by OtterBot you can stop messages at any time by texting “STOP” or pause messaging at any time by texting “#PAUSE”.

12th graders

12th graders: OtterBot for financial aid & college planning

Want to know if you’re on track in the college application process? OtterBot shows you what you should be doing, and when. OtterBot will share resources and important deadlines and help with completing your FAFSA or WASFA—a required step for getting your College Bound funds. OtterBot will send texts with the following info:

• All about FAFSA and WASFA.
• Applying for college.
• All about College Bound.
• All about the College Bound Pledge.
• Applying for scholarships.
• Understanding financial aid award letters.
• Making your college decision.
• Transitioning to college.
• What to expect in your first term at college.
• College resources you need to use.

Frequency of OtterBot texts:

All users will receive a minimum of two texts per month. Additionally, users may receive messages about key dates, deadlines, and opportunities like events or scholarships.

Content of OtterBot texts—OtterBot reminders, the year at a glance:

Season	Objective	Topics
Fall	Get organized.	Apply for FAFSA or WASFA as early as October 1. Prepare for your college applications. Tour colleges and attend college fairs. Learn about the College Bound pledge and how the program can help you pay for college.
Winter	Search for scholarships & learn about financial aid.	Research and apply for scholarships. Understand the financial aid award letter. Understand FAFSA verification and errors. Learn about the College Bound pledge and how the program can help you pay for college.
Spring	Make a decision.	Review your financial aid award letter(s). Attend college orientation. Determine which college is the best choice for you! Prepare to get your College Bound funds.
Summer	Transition to college & next steps.	Complete everything you need to enroll in the college you’ve selected. Submit final high school transcript to your college. Map out different college resources for a successful first year (financial aid, registration, tutoring, etc.). Complete the College Bound pledge.

11th graders

11th graders: Financial aid & college planning

Junior year marks a turning point. This is because for most students and families, it’s when college planning activities kick into high gear. Here are some things OtterBot can assist you with this year to stay on track for college:

• Types of colleges.
• All about apprenticeships.
• Researching colleges.
• All about College Bound.
• All about the College Bound Pledge.
• Ways to pay for college (financial aid & scholarships).
• Parts of a college application.
• Preparing for your senior year.
• All about FAFSA and WASFA.

Frequency of OtterBot texts:

• All users will receive a minimum of two texts per month. Additionally, users may receive messages about key dates, deadlines, and opportunities like events or scholarships.

Content of OtterBot texts—OtterBot reminders, the year at a glance:

Season	Objective	Topics
Fall	College admission requirements & college "fit."	Meet with your counselor to review your post-high school plans . Research your college or training options. Attend a college and career fair or schedule a college visit . Check with colleges directly for the latest admissions information, including testing. Learn about the College Bound pledge and how the program can help you pay for college.
Winter	High school and beyond plan & resumes; financial aid & scholarships info.	Meet with your counselor to review your post-high school plans and create a resume. Understand how to pay for college using financial aid and scholarships. Learn about types of scholarships and how to apply for them. Learn about the College Bound pledge and how the program can help you pay for college. Complete the College Bound updated contact info form.
Spring	Campus visits; college planning; and test preparation (optional).	Connect with colleges to request information. Learn what you need to do to graduate high school and be college ready. Learn about the FAFSA or WASFA eligibility and how to apply to help you pay for college. Learn about the different parts of the college application requirements and what you need to apply.
Summer	What to do over summer.	Visit colleges. Begin thinking about your college applications. Start to gather documents for financial aid. Create your Federal Student Aid ID or WASFA login. Estimate your financial aid need by using WSAC’s financial aid calculator.

10th graders

10th graders: Learn about opportunities

Sophomore year is when OtterBot focuses on educating students about the various opportunities in high school and beyond. Most students should be more familiar and comfortable with the high school environment during their second year. Here are some things OtterBot can assist with:

• Learning about different types of colleges.
• Finding information about apprenticeships.
• Researching colleges.
• Learning about College Bound and how to use funds.
• Meeting the College Bound Pledge requirements.
• Find ways to pay for college (financial aid & scholarships).
• Navigating the college application & enrollment process.
• Preparing for your senior year.
• Navigating the FAFSA or WASFA application.

Frequency of OtterBot texts:

• All users will receive a minimum of two texts per month. Additionally, users may receive messages about key dates, deadlines, and opportunities like events or scholarships.

Content of OtterBot texts—OtterBot reminders, the year at a glance:

Season	Objective	Topics
Fall	Personal exploration	Resources for self-assessments of interests and aptitudes. Learn what post-secondary pathways exist. Learn about various what career opportunities. Identifying common school school resources. Learn about the College Bound pledge and how the program can help you pay for college.
Winter	Access information	Meet with your counselor to review your high school graduation plan and plug into resources to support the plan. Understand how the College Bound and WA Grant programs make college affordable. Learn about dual credit programs including Running Start, CTE, and College in the High School.
Spring	Understand requirements	Learning the differences and similarities between high school graduation requirements & college admissions requirements. Learn what you need to do to graduate high school and be college ready. Learn about the FAFSA or WASFA eligibility and how to apply to help you pay for college. Learn about the different parts of the college application requirements and what you need to apply.
Summer	What to do over summer	Overview of what’s to come during junior year. Continued learning and preparation during summer. Starting the financial aid process; create your Federal Student Aid ID or WASFA login. Estimate your financial aid need by using WSAC’s financial aid calculator.

9th graders

9th graders: Expectations and transition

Freshmen year of high school is a big transition for students, and so the goal of OtterBot messaging is to inform students about their new environment and what they can expect. There are many new aspects that will be new to freshmen students, from the structure of the school day to the academic rigor. To help navigate the new setting OtterBot will send messages about:

• What to expect in high school.
• Resources to help navigate the new environment.
• The College Bound program and the College Bound Pledge.
• Class planning and graduation requirements.
• Preparing for sophomore year.
• Navigating the FAFSA or WASFA application.

Frequency of OtterBot texts:

• All users will receive a minimum of two texts per month. Additionally, users may receive messages about key dates, deadlines, and opportunities like events or scholarships.

Content of OtterBot texts—OtterBot reminders, the year at a glance:

Season	Objective	Topics
Fall	Learn the basis of a high school environment.	Resources for self-assessments of interests and aptitudes. Learn what post-secondary pathways exist. Learn about various what career opportunities. Identifying common school school resources. Learn about the College Bound pledge and how the program can help you pay for college.
Winter	Connect today’s decisions to tomorrow’s goals.	Meet with your counselor to review your high school graduation plan and plug into resources to support the plan. Understand how the College Bound and WA Grant programs make college affordable. Learn about dual credit programs including Running Start, CTE, and College in the High School.
Spring	Early awareness of post-secondary pathways.	Learning the differences and similarities between high school graduation requirements & college admissions requirements. Learn what you need to do to graduate high school and be college ready. Learn about the FAFSA or WASFA eligibility and how to apply to help you pay for college. Learn about the different parts of the college application requirements and what you need to apply.
Summer	What to do over summer	Overview of what’s to come during junior year. Continued learning and preparation during summer. Starting the financial aid process; create your Federal Student Aid ID or WASFA login. Estimate your financial aid need by using WSAC’s financial aid calculator.

Parents

Support for Financial Aid & College Planning:

Need help supporting your student through the college application and financial aid process?
OtterBot:

• Helps parents/guardians walk alongside their student(s) in the college planning process by explaining their role in the financial aid completion
• Informs parents/guardians about the processes their student(s) will go through as they prepare to transition out of high school.
• Shares resources and important deadlines and help you understand what you need to do as a parent/guardian.
• Provides information to help your student complete a FAFSA or WASFA application—a required step for them to get their College Bound funds.
• Parents/guardians with multiple students across different grade levels will receive information and resources for the student in the highest grade level, as the information is more immediately needed.

Resources

OtterBot flyers

• Through this one-page printable PDF, students can update their information and gain immediate access to OtterBot. Available in English, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

College and Career Knowledge workbook

• This workbook is designed to support college and career education planning. Available in English, Arabic, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
• You may also view the College and Career Knowledge Workbook grouped by chapter theme. 

Additional resources for students

• College Bound
• Apply for financial aid: FAFSA or WASFA
• 12th Year Campaign
• GEAR UP
• Plan Your Future