FAFSA & WASFA
To be considered for financial aid, all students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Free Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). The applications open October 1 each year.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form students must fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. Many states and colleges also rely on the FAFSA to determine which students get financial aid and how much they’ll get.
The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for students in Washington state who are undocumented or do not qualify for federal financial aid because of their immigration status. The WASFA can also be used in limited circumstances by other select applicants who cannot or choose not to file a FAFSA.
Download our 2026-27 FAFSA and WASFA guides
Presentation
This presentation is for students and families who are preparing to fill out either the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid). By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:
- identify which financial aid form to complete
- know which documents you will need
- review the FAFSA and WASFA
- address special circumstances
- prepare for next steps
Handouts and Tools
FAFSA and WASFA cheat sheet
This FAFSA/WASFA cheat sheet is a companion piece to our presentation recording. Use this guide to follow along with the presentation and record your answers. To use the links embedded on the handout, please download the file for optimal use.
Download the FAFSA/WASFA cheat sheet
Download the FAFSA/WASFA cheat sheet (for print)
Documents required to file the FAFSA
You can start preparing for this year’s FAFSA by compiling these documents below:
Documents you will need to file the 2022-23 FAFSA
Documents required to file the WASFA
You can start preparing for this year’s WASFA by compiling these documents below:
Documents you will need to file the 2022-23 WASFA
FAFSA application guide
This resource is a step-by-step guide to the FAFSA application. Learn more about the FAFSA and answer any questions you may have about a particular section.
Download the FAFSA application guide
WASFA application guide
This resource is a step-by-step guide to the WASFA application. Learn more about the WASFA and answer any questions you may have about a particular section.
Download the WASFA application guide
Signing the FAFSA
This step-by-step guide will walk you through how to sign the FAFSA for dependent students.
Download the guide to signing the FAFSA
Answering FAFSA student education questions
What will your college grade level be when you begin the 2022-23 school year?
Download a guide to answering the grade level question on the FAFSA
What college degree or certificate will you be working on in the 2022-23 school year?
Download a guide to answering the degree or certificate question on the FAFSA
Who needs an FSA ID?
Filing a FAFSA?
Download a guide on who needs an FSA ID
Who needs a WASFA account?
Filing a WASFA?
Download the guide on who needs a WASFA account
WSAC Financial Aid Calculator
Use this tool to receive an estimate of your Washington College Grant eligibility at various institutions in Washington state.
Access the WSAC financial aid calculator
Tax Transcript Decoder
This handout shows you where to look on your 2020 tax return when filling out the student and parent financial sections of the FAFSA or WASFA.
Download the 2022-23 tax transcript decoder
Federal Student Aid Calculator
This free tool helps you quickly calculate the amount of financial aid you may be eligible to receive.