College & Career Center Connections
Special Edition - Let's Talk Financial Aid!
The FAFSA / WASFA Opened October 1st!
Considering College, an Apprenticeship or Other Certification?
If you're planning to seek further education or training after high school, you're going to have to make a plan on how to finance your dreams. The very first place you need to start if you haven't already, is by completing the FAFSA or WASFA. These applications opened on October 1st!
What is FAFSA? FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
If you will be attending college, technical college, or will start an apprenticeship or other certification program, you will be asked to submit your FAFSA/WASFA to your chosen institutions in order to receive a financial aid offer. The FAFSA will determine if you qualify for federal and/or state aid. WASFA is for state aid only. Your institutions will also use it to determine if you qualify for any need-based aid directly through them.
WASFA stands for the Washington Application for State Financial Aid
This is for undocumented students and other select applicants. If you are filing the WASFA you will need to submit this every year for the upcoming school year. This year you will file the WASFA for 2023-2024.
You will file either the FAFSA OR WASFA, not both
You will need to submit your FAFSA or WASFA every year for the upcoming school year. For example, this year you will file the FAFSA or WASFA for 2023-2024
Need help with your FAFSA/ WASFA? OtterBot can help! Text, "Hi Otter" to 360-928-7281.
If you're on Twitter, check out @FAFSA for information and tips.
FAFSA vs WASFA
Need-Based Vs Merit-Based Financial Aid
Need-based scholarships are awarded based on financial need. They are eligible for each year of enrollment. By contrast, scholarships based on merit are granted to students who illustrate academic or athletic achievement, along with a range of other talents and criteria. Schools will use your GPA and sometimes other factors (community/school involvement) to determine your merit award. Many private scholarships are also merit-based.
Did you know? Ivy League schools and other similar colleges and universities do not offer merit scholarships. However, many offer generous need-based aid.
Check out this article about how to get need-based aid: How Do You Qualify?
Resources - Net Price Calculators, the WUE, Federal Loans
- 15 Financial Aid Myths You Can't Afford to Believe (yes, ALL seniors should fill out their FAFSA or WASFA!)
- 7 Things You Need Before Filling Out the FAFSA.
- 8 Steps To Completing the FAFSA.
Check out the Career Center’s “Funding Your Education” webpage. The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has valuable information and resources! I highly suggest visiting the WSAC website as well.
Take advantage of the Washington State 12th Year Campaign's online Financial Aid Events.
Upcoming events include explaining different types of loans, how to interpret Financial Aid Award Letters and more.
Curious about what a year of college might actually cost you? Get an estimate using the
Net Price Calculator or WSAC’s Financial Aid Calculator.
Looking out of state? See if the schools you are interested in participate in the WUE program! WUE stands for the Western Undergraduate Exchange. 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide steep nonresident tuition savings for students in western states.
Need student loans? Learn the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans by visiting the Studentaid.gov website for all the details.
Scholarships? Yes, Please!
Be sure to visit the Career Center Scholarship Webpage weekly! During the year I will add local scholarships to the website as they become available. Local means Yelm, Thurston/Pierce Counties, Washington state. The Yelm community has amazing scholarship opportunities for our students!
Check the site often! There are many scholarships already accepting applications.
You will also find popular nationwide scholarships on the webpage as well.
Be sure to check out the scholarship search engines websites that are listed on the webpage. Start with Washboard.org - it was created just for Washington students!
Strategy tip: Start Local! Yelm, Thurston, WA, national.
Considering 4-Year Washington Colleges and Universities?
Check out my Newsletter featuring Washington Schools!
In Case You Missed It!
College & Career Center
Email: Nicole_Mathis@ycs.wednet.edu
Website: www.ycs.wednet.edu/careercenter
Phone: (360) 458-6413