Washington's main state aid is the Washington College Grant (WA Grant), one of the most generous need-based grants in the country. A family of four earning about $83,500 or less can receive a full award for 2026-27, and partial awards reach higher incomes. The grant amount varies by income, family size, and the cost of your school or program, and you apply by filing the FAFSA or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
If your student attends college in Washington and your family has financial need, the WA Grant can cover a large share of tuition on top of federal aid. Here is how it works for 2026-27.
What state financial aid does Washington offer?
Washington's primary program is the Washington College Grant, a need-based grant administered by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). It helps lower- and middle-income residents pay for college or approved apprenticeships, and the award follows the student to many types of programs. The state runs other aid programs too, but the WA Grant is the one most families use.
It works alongside federal aid like the Pell Grant. For how the federal pieces fit together, see our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide.
Who is eligible for the Washington College Grant?
The WA Grant is for Washington residents with financial need who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. You generally must be a Washington resident, have a high school diploma or equivalent, meet the income requirements, enroll in a financial aid eligible program at an approved Washington college or apprenticeship, and not owe a repayment to a state aid program. Eligibility is based on need, not grades.
Key eligibility points:
- Residency: you must be a Washington resident.
- Need: your income and family size must fall within the program's limits.
- No prior bachelor's degree: the grant is for students working toward their first degree.
How much is the WA Grant?
The award amount varies based on your family's income, your family size, and the cost of your school or program. For 2026-27, a family of four with income of about $83,500 or less can receive a full award, and partial awards are available at higher incomes up to the program's maximum. Because the amount is tailored to your situation, two families can receive very different grants.
WSAC publishes income and award tables and an estimator so you can preview your likely grant. Use the household income from your 2024 taxes, which is what the 2026-27 FAFSA or WASFA uses.
How do you apply for Washington state aid?
You apply by filing either the FAFSA or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA), and the state uses that application to determine your WA Grant. The WASFA is for students who are not eligible for federal aid, such as some undocumented students. There is no separate WA Grant form.
Your step-by-step path:
- File the FAFSA, or the WASFA through WSAC if you are not eligible for federal aid.
- Use the WSAC estimator to preview your likely WA Grant.
- Confirm your Washington residency and that your program is eligible.
- Track your college's own aid deadlines.
Your next step
The Washington College Grant can cover much of your tuition if your family has need, and the only step is filing the FAFSA or WASFA. Estimate your award at WSAC, confirm your residency, and file early. Read our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide for the federal side, then create your free CollegeLens plan to see your real cost at each Washington school.
You're doing the hard, smart work of claiming need-based aid your state offers. That is how Washington families make college more affordable.
-- Sravani at CollegeLens