Financial Aid - International Community School

Soft Launch of the 2024–25 FAFSA® & Delayed WASFA!
The 2024–25 FAFSA® form is available periodically as part of a "soft launch" and will be available for short periods of time while they monitor site performance and form functionality. They will initiate pauses for site maintenance and to make technical updates as needed. The 2024-25 WASFA will become available in January 2024.

Seniors Don't Delay! Be Prepared! Get your FSA ID Today!

The 2024-25 FAFSA & WASFA may not be available until sometime in December, but that does not mean you cannot start the process of getting your FSA ID now so when the FAFSA/WASFA is live, you can immediately start the process.

Note: You only complete the FAFSA OR the WASFA, not both. See information on this page to learn more about what application to apply with. Click here to download the worksheet to help create your account for the FAFSA or WASFA.

Who needs an FSA ID?

Student
All contributors (whose information will need to be included on the form.

What number should you use for the FAFSA?

Use SSN
If contributor doesn't have SSN: Those without an SSN will be able to create an FSA ID in Dec.

What number should you use for the WASFA?

Use your SSN, DACA, or ITIN, if you have one. If you don't, leave blank.

Contributors:

All MUST provide consent.
Need different email addresses and phone numbers.
If multiple children or parent is a student, parents can use same FSA ID Account

2024-25 FAFSA Prototype Now Available!

Non-U.S. Citizen Eligibility FAQs

I am a non-U.S. citizen. Can I get federal student aid?

You are considered an “eligible noncitizen” if you fall into certain categories, such as the ones listed below:

You are a
- U.S. national (includes natives of American Samoa or Swains Island) or
- U.S. permanent resident with a Form I-551, I-151, or I-551C (Permanent Resident Card, Resident Alien Card, or Alien Registration Receipt Card), also known as a "green card."
You have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) showing, Refugee, Asylum Granted, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, Conditional Entrant” (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980)
To view additional eligible non-U.S. citizens qualifications, visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements/non-us-citizens

If I have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), am I eligible for federal student aid?

What if the expiration date on my documents has passed?

If your green card has expired, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your status as a legal permanent resident has expired. You might just need to renew the card. Be sure to do so promptly! If your permanent residence status has in fact expired, you are no longer eligible for federal student aid. To learn more visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements/non-us-citizens#document-expiration

I do not qualify for federal financial aid due to my immigration status, can I apply for state aid?

Undocumented students, including DACA recipients, are not eligible for federal student aid, but you may still be eligible for state or college aid, in addition to private scholarships.

The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for people who don’t file a federal FAFSA application. A person should complete the WASFA if they 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.

People who complete a WASFA are applying only for state aid. If you are eligible for federal aid, you should complete the FAFSA in order to maximize financial aid awards.

If you are unsure if you should complete a FAFSA or a WASFA, complete the WASFA Eligibility Questionnaire.

Check with your college or career school’s financial aid office for more information.

Eligible Non-U.S. Citizen FAQs

How should an eligible noncitizen student fill out the FAFSA?

On the 2024–25 FAFSA® form, an eligible noncitizen student should select the "Eligible noncitizen" option under the "Student Citizenship Status" section.

If the student identifies as an eligible noncitizen and reports an A-number on the FAFSA form, that information is checked against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's database. If the match doesn't confirm the student is an eligible noncitizen, the student will have to submit immigration documentation to the college or career school they plan to attend for review. A student is not eligible for federal student aid until the student's status as an eligible noncitizen is resolved.

Does the student's parents' U.S. citizenship or immigration status matter?

Does the parent need an SSN for the student's FAFSA® form?

No, the parent doesn't need a Social Security number (SSN) for the student's FAFSA form. Once the 24-25 FAFSA is available (December 2023), parents will be able to get an FSA ID (account username and password) without having an SSN to access and complete their section of the 2024–25 FAFSA form.

On the 2024–25 FAFSA form, if the parent is completing their own section and doesn't have an SSN, the SSN will be blank and disabled. If the parent has an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), they should add it to the FAFSA form. If they don't have an ITIN, they should leave that question blank.

How should the student fill out the FAFSA® form if the family lives outside the United States?

Sources

Financial aid can come from several sources:

Federal: Funded by the U.S. Department of Education and can be used at most colleges in the U.S.
State: Funded by States for their residents to attend colleges in their state.
College: Funded by colleges in the form of scholarships/grants for students at their school.
Private Organizations: These tend to be scholarships or private loans.

State Aid

Even if you're not eligible for federal aid, you might be eligible for financial aid from your state.

Washington state financial aid is for residents to attend colleges in WA. They do not necessarily have to be public colleges, but they have to be able to receive state financial aid.

Below are examples of state financial aid programs that WA residents who are eligible can use at eligible colleges in Washington:

Washington College Grant (formerly the State Need Grant) - Largest, income-based grant. The amount depends on what type of school you attend.
College Bound Scholarship: This is an early commitment of state financial aid to cover certain college costs. Students must have signed up in middle school.
State Work-Study: Similar to the federal program but the funding comes from Washington State versus the federal government.
Passport to Careers: a program that provides additional resources for both former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth.
Opportunity Grant: to attend a 2-year community or technical college.
American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES): helps students who have close social and cultural ties to an American Indian community in the state of Washington and demonstrate financial need.

College/University Aid

Many schools offer financial aid from their own funds. Find out what might be available to you:

Visit your college's financial aid page on its website or ask someone in the financial aid office.
Ask the department that offers your course of study; they might have a scholarship for students in your major.
Fill out any applications the school requires for its own aid and meet the deadlines.

Federal Aid

There are several types of federal financial aid. Students need to be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens (i.e. permanent residents with a Green Card as an example) to apply.

Pell Grant: Need based. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2023–24 award year. Does not have to be repaid.
Work-Study: Need based. Students can work on or off campus.
Student Loans: Need based & non-need-based loans taken out by the student.
Parent Loans: Non-need based. Taken out by the parent to pay for the student’s expenses.

Private Aid

Types

There are four types of Aid that can come from several sources:

Grants: income-based, that can federal, and state.
Scholarships: merit and income-based, from public, private, and nonprofit sources.
Loans: income-based, that can come from federal, and private sources.
Work-Study: income-based, federal, and state.

Loans

Types of Federal Loans:

Direct Subsidized Loan: Need based. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan
while the student is in school at least half-time, for the first six months after the student leaves school, and during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).
Direct Unsubsidized Loan: Non-need Based: Student pays interest during all periods.
Direct PLUS Loan: Non-need based. Parent is responsible for paying principal. and interest.

Work Study

Work-Study is a need-based program that helps builds students’ skills, increases their earnings, and reduces reliance on student loans.

Federal Work-Study - provides part-time employment while the student is enrolled in school to help pay his or her education expenses. The student must seek out and apply for work-study jobs at their school or with approved off-campus employers. The student will be paid directly for the hours he or she works and the amount he or she earns cannot exceed the total amount awarded by the school for the award year. The availability of work-study jobs varies by school.
State Work-Study - qualifying students to get an approved job, on- or off-campus, to support their education. The state contributes to the wages of work-study employees, so participating employers' benefit from educated, motivated workers at a lower cost. Many employers hire work-study employees on a permanent basis after graduation.

Scholarships

Scholarships don't need to be repaid.

There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.
Students are encouraged to apply for local, state, and community scholarships.
Scholarships are awarded based on merit, ethnic background, community service, leadership, and personal interests regardless of financial need.
Students should be searching and applying for scholarships while they are applying to colleges.
Most colleges have scholarship money that they give out on a first come, first-serve basis for students who meet specific academic requirements. Check with the colleges you are applying to for specific institutional scholarships.
Learn more information about local scholarship opportunities and application tips on the EHS scholarship page here!

Washington State Scholarships include:

Grants

A grant is a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund, or you receive a TEACH Grant and don’t complete your service obligation).

A variety of federal grants are available, including:

Washington State grants include:

Applying

In Washington, there are two different applications for financial aid, but you only need to complete one:

Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) if you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
Complete the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) if you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status, defaulted federal loans, or other issues with federal aid.
Complete the CSS Profile for the schools that require it.

Click on the title below to learn more.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Apply for federal student aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. And remember, the first F in “FAFSA” stands for “free”.

All students must fill out the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) to qualify for the four types of federal aid: grants, loans (both parent and student loans), work-study positions, and need-based scholarships. You are encouraged to fill out the form regardless of family income level and apply as soon after October 1st as possible to take advantage of state and federal monies given on a first come first serve basis.

NEED HELP?

Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC):

Email: studentaid@ed.gov
Call: 1-800-4-FED-AID or 1-800-730-8913 (TTY) for the deaf or hard of hearing.

Washington Student Achievement Council's (WSAC) Otterbot:

Otterbot is 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, 7/days a week by texting "Hi Otter" to 360-928-7281.

For more information go to: https://wsac.wa.gov/otterbot

Washington Application for Financial Aid (WASFA)

The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for people who don’t file a federal FAFSA application. People who complete a WASFA are applying for state aid. There are various reasons to complete a WASFA instead of a FAFSA:

A person may not be eligible for federal aid due to:

Citizenship or immigration status, including being undocumented.
Defaulted federal student loans.
Repayments owed on federal grants.

A person may choose not to apply for federal aid due to:

Family members who do not want to file the FAFSA.
Other personal reasons.

After you complete the WASFA, the college(s) or program(s) you choose will determine whether you meet state residency requirements and state financial aid eligibility. State financial aid could include Washington College Grant, the College Bound Scholarship, Passport to Careers, National Guard Grant, or State Work Study.

To confirm that the WASFA is the correct application for you click here.

NEED HELP?

Student Financial Assistance at the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC):

Email: finaid@wsac.wa.gov
Call: 888.535.0747 (option 3)
Website: https://wsac.wa.gov/financial-aid.

Washington Student Achievement Council's (WSAC) Otterbot:

Otterbot is 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, 7/days a week by texting "Hi Otter" to 360-928-7281.
For more information go to: https://wsac.wa.gov/otterbot

CSS Profile

The College Board’s CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® is an online application that collects information used by almost 400 colleges, universities, professional schools, and scholarship programs to award financial aid from sources outside of the federal government. After you submit your application, the College Board sends it to the colleges and scholarship programs you have chosen.

Click HERE to find out more about the CSS Profile and to submit an application.

Who must submit the Profile Application?

Not all colleges and scholarship programs require the application.
Check the websites of the colleges you are interested in to see if they require it.

Federal Financial AiD (US DePt. of ED)

Financial Aid Info (WSAC)

Federal Student Aid EstimatORClick on the button above to use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to see how much federal student aid you may be eligible for in the 2024–25 award year. Note: This tool estimates the Student Aid Index (SAI) for the 2024–25 award year