Plan Your Future

Career exploration

Career exploration

The type and level of education you might need varies depending on the job or career you're interested in.

• College & Career Compass: Identify educational pathways that can lead to promising careers and a brighter future. 
• Washington Career Bridge: Find detailed information on careers, including wages, job trends, and requirements.
• GetMyFuture - US Department of Labor: Explore careers, education needed, and how to find jobs.

​

Four-year colleges

Four-year colleges

Washington offers outstanding college options. Every school is different. Keep track of each college’s requirements, and make sure you meet deadlines for applications and related materials.

• Start working on application essays early. Senior year is a busy time! Starting essays now is a great way for juniors to prepare for college applications during remote learning. 
• The building is closed, but help is still available. Reach out to your counselor and teachers for help gathering application materials, including forms, test scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
   

COVID information & resources

• Many four-year colleges and universities are still accepting applications for fall 2020. This list also includes adjustments to deadlines for deciding to enroll and making required deposits.
• Some campuses offer virtual tours you can do online from home.
• Read more about Washington colleges' commitment to students during the COVID-19 crisis here.

Community and technical colleges

Community and technical colleges

Washington offers outstanding college options. Washington state community and technical colleges (CTCs) offer a wide variety of programs. CTCs are typically open to anyone who has a high school diploma or GED. Students can train to enter into a job directly, complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree and then transfer, or pursue applied bachelor's degrees for specific career fields. 

• Search for a Washington community or technical college based on location and programs of study.
• Contact your local community or technical college. Ask about certificate and degree options for careers you're interested in.
• Use the College and Career Compass to help you find campuses that offer educational or job training programs that match your goals and interest.
   

COVID information & resources

• Get COVID-19 info for each CTC.
• Many campuses offer virtual tours you can do online from home.
• Read more about Washington colleges' commitment to students during the COVID-19 crisis here.

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship

Looking to step right into a good-paying job? In an apprenticeship, you can earn money while learning a trade.

• Explore Apprenticeship: Learn more about apprenticeships in Washington, and why on-the-job learning might be right for you.
• Find an Apprenticeship Program: Search for an apprenticeship program by county and occupation, by name, or by employer on the LNI website.
• Beginning in 2020-21, the new Washington College Grant will provide financial aid to cover costs associated with select approved apprenticeship programs. Stay tuned for more information.

Planning resources

Planning resources

Planning ahead increases options and reduces stress. 

• Use the High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) as a guide to connect your education to the future you want. The HSBP helps students develop a flexible, personalized pathway based on educational goals and career interests.
• The 12th Year Campaign Student Workbook: A Guide for Navigating College Admissions and Financial Aid includes information and worksheets for juniors and seniors to help with planning and applying. 
• The College Knowledge Book includes handouts and a workbook that covers six topics: all about college and career, getting ready, College Bound Scholarship, paying for college, applying for college, and enrolling in college. It is available in English, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
• The GEAR UP website has free college planning resources that are available to all students and families.
• For high school students with disabilities, this resource guide provides important information about college planning, including checklists by grade. You can also review this chart, which explains differences between high school and college, as well as info on rights and responsibilities for students with disabilities.

Choose a path

Choose a path

Once you make a choice, confirm that the college or program you plan to attend has everything they need. 

• Check in with the admissions and financial aid offices. Make sure you know what the enrollment process is and when deadlines occur.
• Do any necessary paperwork and make sure your file is complete.
• Submit any required deposits. 
• Double-check your FAFSA status. You may need to update your tax information or provide additional documentation. If you filed a WASFA, check with the financial aid office to make sure they don't need any additional information.

Applying for aid

Applying for aid

There are affordable college and career training opportunities for everyone. The first, best step is to apply for financial aid. 

• Sign up for Otterbot, a free texting service designed to help Washington students navigate financial aid for college and career education. Students can access Otterbot via text message 24 hours a day, seven days a week by texting "Hi Otter" to 360-928-7281.
• File your FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application now. It's never too late—you can still get money for fall 2020.
• If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status, you may still qualify for some state financial aid and scholarships using the WASFA.
• Juniors, you can get started on the financial aid process by talking to your parents or guardians about the process and registering for an FSA ID. Applications for the 2021-22 school year will be available October 1, 2020. 
   

COVID information & resources

• If someone in your family has lost a job or is working less, colleges may be able to provide more financial aid. Learn more about how to request changes to financial aid if your circumstances have changed.

​

State financial aid programs

State financial aid programs

Learn more about Washington’s state financial aid programs.

• The new Washington College Grant gives more money to more students for more kinds of education after high school.
• If you signed up for College Bound during middle school, now's the time to make sure you can access the College Bound Scholarship.
• Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) helps eligible students attain a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineer, math and health care through scholarships of up to $22,500. WSOS also offers a quarterly $1,500 scholarship for eligible trade, STEM, or health care programs at community and technical colleges.

​

Private scholarships

Private scholarships

Private scholarship deadlines occur year-round, and many are available regardless of income.

• theWashboard.org scholarship search tool is unique to Washington students. This website allows you to create a profile and then be matched with the scholarship opportunities that fit you. It is spam-free and will never sell your information.
• Many colleges provide aid in the form of institutional scholarships or grants. Talk to the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend for more information.

​

Transitioning out of high school

Transitioning out of high school

Many high schools are providing flexible or additional options for students to meet requirements in light of the COVID-19 crisis—talk to your counselor for more information.

• Review the state's high school graduation requirements. Talk to your counselor to make sure you're on track. 
• Washington GEAR UP's Graduate Handbook provides next steps for recent high school graduates, including a to-do list, info about college course types, an overview of transfer options, and more.
• During this period of school closures and remote learning, there are college planning resources that can be done remotely. This Top 5 list is designed specifically to help high school juniors and seniors prepare for, apply to, and pay for education after high school.
   

COVID information & resources

College admissions

College admissions during COVID

Colleges and universities are being flexible about course requirements, test scores, deadlines, and more. Always check with each college directly for the latest admissions information. Let the admissions office know if you have special circumstances or questions about how to meet requirements and deadlines during COVID-19.

• Some individual colleges' websites include admissions information specific to COVID-19. This list will be updated as colleges make information available. 
• Many four-year colleges and universities are still accepting applications for fall 2020. This list also includes adjustments to deadlines for deciding to enroll and making required deposits.
• If you need more than just an extension for your fall deposit, talk to your counselor about requesting a waiver.
• Washington’s public four-year colleges and universities have published a COVID-19 FAQ addressing common questions around registration, financial aid, transfer, and admissions.
• Learn more about the response from private, not-for-profit colleges and universities via the Independent Colleges of Washington, including opportunities for virtual visits and information for transfer students.
• Washington’s public two-year community and technical colleges are open access, so anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent can apply and get in anytime. The Washington College Grant covers many two-year programs, so make sure you apply for financial aid!

Dual credit

Dual credit

You can still pursue opportunities to earn college credit while in high school through dual credit programs during the COVID-19 crisis. Talk to your counselor for more information.

• Dual credit programs give students the opportunity to earn high school and college credit simultaneously. Students who earn college credit are more likely to graduate high school, enroll in college, and complete college degrees.
• Use the Dual Credit Look-Up Tool to determine which colleges grant credit for which exams and scores.
• Juniors, if you want to sign up for Running Start this fall, access the new Running Start Verification Form for the 2020-21 school year. The form can be submitted electronically, so you can still enroll during remote learning. 
   

COVID information & resources

• Although in-person testing has been suspended, you can still earn exam scores from home for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge International.
• Colleges, universities, K-12 schools, and state agencies in Washington all understand the impact of COVID-19 on dual credit statewide, and they are committed to helping students and their families navigate dual credit programs during these challenging times. Read their full joint statement here.