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Washington State College Bound Commitment

The College Bound Commitment is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who enroll in middle school and meet the pledge requirements. The College Bound Commitment covers the cost of tuition at public college rates, some fees, and a small book allowance at over 65 colleges, universities and technical schools in Washington state.

Students who meet one of the following requirements are automatically enrolled in College Bound:

  • Students who are in public school and eligible for free and reduced-price lunch in 7th, 8th or 9th grade.
  • Students who are in state foster care or a dependent of the state between 7th grade and high school graduation.

As a part of the College Bound Commitment sign-up process, students pledge to do the following:

  • Graduate from a Washington state high school or approved home school program with a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher.
  • Have no felony convictions.
  • Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) beginning their senior year.

College Success Foundation actively works with districts, schools and community-based organizations to support College Bound students and families statewide. We offer program outreach through our network of regional officers located in the nine Educational Service Districts (ESD) throughout the state. Our team can help provide strategies for signup success and support that fit with your school, district and community. Learn more about how we can help.

Auto Enrollment

Students who meet one of the following requirements are automatically enrolled in College Bound:

Students who are in public school and eligible for free and reduced-price lunch in 7th, 8th or 9th grade.
Students who are in state foster care or a dependent of the state between 7th grade and high school graduation.

Other Ways to Qualify

Some students do not fit into either scenario but are interested in applying for College Bound. Students and families can contact the College Bound program to apply if they meet one of the following criteria:

  • Attend a private school or homeschool program in Washington state and meet the income requirements.
  • Are in another type of foster care and not eligible for free and reduced-price lunch.
Household Size Annual Income Monthly Income Weekly Income
2 $32,227 $2,686 $620
3 $40,626 $3,386 $782
4 $49,025 $4,086 $943
5 $57,424 $4,786 $1,105
6 $65,823 $5,486 $1,266
Each additional household member add $8,399 $700 $162

As you reach the end of high school, it is important to understand how to access College Bound. Now is the time to review the program requirements and prepare yourself for what comes next.

The College Bound commitment ensures that eligible students will have the following costs covered by state financial aid:

  • tuition at public college rates
  • some fees
  • a small book allowance

Here’s what you’ll need to apply for the College Bound Commitment:

  • Meet the College Bound Commitment pledge requirements.
  • File the FAFSA or WASFA. You may file as early as October 1. Remember that each college has their own financial aid deadlines that you must follow.
  • List every college that you plan on applying to on your financial aid application.
  • Be admitted to and enroll in an eligible institution in Washington state within one year of high school graduation.

Here’s what your college will do for you:

  • Determine if your income meets the eligibility guidelines.
  • Calculate your financial aid award.
  • Send you an Award Letter (by mail or email) indicating how much financial aid you will receive.
    Disburse your financial aid, including your College Bound Scholarship, before classes begin.

The College Bound program will:

  • Match your financial aid application to your College Bound application.
  • Identify you as a College Bound student to the colleges you listed on the FAFSA or WASFA.

If you have questions about your financial aid award, eligibility, or the application process, please contact the financial aid office at your college. To verify if you have met the pledge requirements or check if your financial aid application matches your College Bound application, contact the College Bound program at 888-535-0747 option 1 or collegebound@wsac.wa.gov.

What are the College Bound Commitment requirements?

As part of the College Bound sign-up process, you pledge to:

  • Graduate from a Washington state high school or approved homeschool program with a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher.
  • Have no felony convictions.
  • Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) beginning your senior year of high school.

In order to receive this award, you must fulfill the pledge and:

  • Be determined as income-eligible by your college with the information from your FAFSA or WASFA.
  • Start attending college within one year of graduating from high school. In order to receive College Bound funds, you must attend an eligible college.
  • Meet the program’s state residency standards for College Bound.

How do I know if I have a complete College Bound application?

Beginning with the 2019-20 school year, free and reduced-price lunch eligible 7th, 8th and 9th graders will be automatically enrolled in College Bound. Before that, students needed to complete an application.

After your application is completed in middle school, you will receive a certificate in the mail. Your application will remain complete throughout high school and college. You can check with your high school counselor or contact us to see if you have a complete application.


Which financial aid application should I use?

You should use the FAFSA if you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the most common category of eligible non-citizen is that of a permanent resident (someone with a “green card”), but there are other categories as well. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

File the WASFA if you have DACA status or if you are ineligible for federal financial aid due to immigration status. Find more information here.

The FAFSA and WASFA will open in December 2023 for the 2024-2025 academic year. If you plan to attend college in the 2023-2024 academic year, you should complete the FAFSA or WASFA as soon as possible after October 1 and follow the specific deadlines of the college of your choice. This will ensure that you will receive the maximum award you are eligible for.

Finally, your college may have additional forms they require for financial aid. Be sure to ask!

Don’t forget, you cannot receive financial aid (including College Bound) without a financial aid application. You must file the FAFSA or WASFA every year you are in college.


How will the colleges know I am a College Bound student? Do I have to tell them?

No, you won’t need to tell them. Colleges have access to Washington Student Achievement Council’s secure portal to determine if you are a College Bound student. This will happen automatically. Be sure to list every college you are considering on the financial aid application.


How do I know if my family meets College Bound’s income requirement?

In order to meet College Bound’s income requirement, your family’s income must be less than 65 percent of the median family income (MFI). View the complete MFI chart with amounts for different family sizes, and keep in mind that this number changes annually.


What does the scholarship cover?

The College Bound Commitment is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students. It is based on three specific costs: tuition at public college rates, some fees, and a small book allowance.

The specific amount labeled “College Bound” on your financial aid package will look different at each college and for each student, but the costs listed above will be covered by state financial aid. Other forms of financial aid for college costs beyond tuition may be available. This additional aid may be federal grants, work-study, scholarships, and loans.

Other college costs such as room and board, transportation, personal expenses, etc. are the responsibility of the student and could be covered by a combination of federal grants, loans, scholarships, work-study and family funds.

The College Bound Commitment fills the gap after other state aid has been awarded.


Will I have to pay back the funds I receive for this award?

The College Bound Commitment is a Washington state grant and does not have to be paid back under normal circumstances. However, if you do not maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) or withdraw from your classes beyond the allowable withdrawal date as determined by your college, you may have to repay the funds you received from the scholarship. If you are in financial aid repayment to your college, you may also have to repay the funds you received for the scholarship.


I don’t understand my Award Letter. Where can I get help?

Check out your college’s financial aid web page for an explanation of the Award Letter and an explanation of your options.

Many colleges now use the “Shopping Sheet,” a standardized financial aid Award Letter.  View an example of a standardized shopping sheet.

As you make your decision about which college you will attend, comparing award letters is recommended. Use an online calculator here.

You should also contact the financial aid office at the college if you have more questions — they are the experts.

For more frequently asked questions for high school students, visit this document maintained by the Washington Student Achievement Council.

To use the College Bound Commitment, students must do the following:

  • Fulfill the College Bound pledge requirements and meet state residency requirements.
  • Complete a financial aid application in their senior year of high school and each year they are in college and be determined as income-eligible (see table below).
  • Be accepted to and attend an eligible college.
  • Be in good standing at their college. This could be measured by GPA or student code of conduct and is specific to each school.

Students can use College Bound at over 65 schools across Washington state. In order to access College Bound, a family’s income must be at or below the amount in the chart for their household size. It is important that students apply for financial aid every year they plan to attend college. Students must also meet the College Bound Scholarship Pledge requirements.

Students do not need to tell colleges they are a College Bound student. Colleges have access to Washington Student Achievement Council’s (WSAC) secure portal to determine if students are College Bound. This will happen automatically.

WSAC will match your original College Bound application with your FAFSA or WASFA. Once you’ve completed your financial aid application, the college(s) that you mark in the application then determine your eligibility and/or College Bound amount. You can contact the financial aid office at your college if you have any questions.

What are the requirements for students to be automatically enrolled in the College Bound program?

Beginning with the 2019-20 school year, students enrolled in public school who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch in 7th, 8th, or 9th grade will be automatically enrolled in College Bound. This is through a partnership with Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC).

OSPI identifies free and reduced price-lunch eligible students via data from districts that is reported through CEDARS. Students in state foster care at any point from 7th grade through age 21 (or when they graduate high school) will also be automatically signed up. This is through a partnership with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and WSAC.


If a family’s income is greater than the income requirement, can a student apply anyway?

No. For other ways to pay for a college education, visit WSAC’s website.


How do homeschool and private school students sign up?

If a student is enrolled in a private school or homeschool program in Washington state, the parent/guardian can contact WSAC at 888-535-0747, option 1 to start the application. The parent/guardian and student will then need to complete, sign, and return a form to complete the application.


Do students have to have a Social Security number to enroll in College Bound?

No, not initially. However, to receive the award, students must be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or meet the program’s state residency requirements when applying for financial aid.


How will students know they have been enrolled in the College Bound program?

A certificate will be mailed to the address WSAC has on file. Counselors must check the portal periodically to be sure all addresses are updated.


How much is the College Bound award?

The amount labeled “College Bound” will vary for each individual student depending on the school they attend and other state financial aid they receive. The College Bound award will combine with other state financial aid to cover tuition (at comparable public tuition rates) some fees, and a small book allowance.

Colleges may offer additional financial aid for expenses beyond these costs. This additional aid may be in the form of federal grants, work study, scholarships, and loans. Students will receive the scholarship through their college or university as part of their financial aid award.


Where can students use the College Bound award?

Students can earn an approved certificate or degree at Washington state’s two- or four-year public colleges, an approved independent college or university, or a private career school that participates in the Washington College Grant program. For a complete list, visit WSAC’s list of state financial aid participating institutions.

For answers to more questions, including eligibility, toolbox details, and general information, please visit the WSAC FAQ for Counselors.

College Knowledge Materials

Over the past two years, a team of organizations conducted student focus groups across the state to determine ways to support College Bound Commitment students in high school. Focus groups and surveys with over 800 primarily College Bound Commitment students from urban, suburban, and rural communities found that the College Bound Commitment and the steps to prepare for college are not well understood.

As a solution, the College Knowledge project emerged: 23 student tested and approved digital handouts that encompass six chapter topics: All About College & Career, Getting Ready, College Bound Commitment, Paying for College, Applying for College, and Enrolling in College. Each handout tackles a specific subtopic and can be used flexibly as an additional student resource to compliment your programming.

College Bound Portal

College Bound has an online portal called the Toolbox. The Toolbox allows school staff to track College Bound applications, update student information, and see which students have completed the FAFSA (high school access).

Email Washington Student Achievement Council with your name, title, school, district and office phone number to request access to the secure portal.

To access the Toolbox, log in to the WSAC Portal, then select Programs > College Bound > Toolbox.

Watch a College Bound Toolbox tour and overview video here.

Middle School Resources

Order College Bound materials and swag

Order free promotional College Bound items.

Middle school intro flyers

This one-page printable PDF walks students and families through the scholarship basics. Available in EnglishArabicChineseDari/FarsiKoreanMarshallesePashtoPunjabiRussianSomaliSpanishUkrainian, and Vietnamese.

Student and family College Bound Scholarship presentation

Use this presentation for student and family presentations. Available in English and Spanish.

Join our newsletter

Sign up for WSAC’s free email newsletter to receive advice on the College Bound Scholarship and college and career planning.

College Bound information for middle school students

Download this template with College Bound information for middle school students. Add your school logo, events, and contact information to customize and share on your school website.

High School Resources

Order College Bound materials and swag

Order free promotional College Bound items.

High school intro flyer

This one-page printable PDF walks students and families through the program basics. Available in EnglishArabicChineseDari/FarsiKoreanMarshallesePashtoPunjabiRussianSomaliSpanishUkrainian, and Vietnamese.

Accessing the award

This handout outlines the student, school and College Bound program roles and responsibilities. Available in English and Spanish.

Join Washington Student Achievement Council’s (WSAC) newsletter

Sign up for WSAC’s free email newsletter to receive advice on the College Bound Commitment and college and career planning.

College Bound myths

This handout covers the common myths and facts about College Bound. Available in five languages.

Why College Bound?

This handout explains how College Bound works with the Washington College Grant. Available in English.

Student and family CBS presentation

Use this presentation for student and family presentations. Available in English and Spanish.

College Bound Commitment information for high school students

Download this template with College Bound information for high school students. Add your school logo, events, and contact information to customize and share on your school website.

Financial aid toolkit

Access more resources to promote financial aid and college going in the financial aid toolkit.

We increase postsecondary success for students in Washington state by providing training, workshops and professional development for counselors, college access professionals, and all types of student advocates.

View our upcoming College Success Foundation events, including College Bound trainings and workshops.

Using a participatory model of facilitation and collaborative discussion, we increase the knowledge and skills of education professionals who work and advise students on their postsecondary plans. Trainings and workshops are delivered using an equity and inclusion framework and focus on strategies to help students from low-income backgrounds.

Whether you are a college access expert, a new professional in the field of education, or somewhere in between, our offerings will support and enhance your knowledge.

Other Trainings for School-Based Staff

WSAC Wednesdays: Join WSAC the first Wednesday of every month for an open Q&A about the College Bound Commitment and financial aid.

Aim Higher Washington Trainings and Strategy Sessions: Trainings are designed to address knowledge gaps and promote a better understanding of the financial aid process. Strategy sessions will aid participants in developing strategic efforts to support specific populations with financial aid completion. Each session will feature best practices and will include individual and group planning time.

Applicant Questions

For more information about the program and financial aid, visit the Washington State Achievement Council (WSAC) website or email WSAC.

You can also reach WSAC by phone at 888-535-0747, option 1.

School Staff Questions

Email us regarding the College Bound Scholarship!

Our team can:

  • Design and implement strategies to build awareness of the College Bound program
  • Help you ensure students with the College Bound Commitment stay on track through high school and graduate ready to access the scholarship and enroll in a postsecondary institution
  • Support professional growth in career and college work through individual, team and regional workshops
  • Launch student engagement initiatives that promote a school and community culture where all students commit to a postsecondary plan