Scholarships

• 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 newly eligible in 9th grade will be automatically enrolled in College Bound. This is through a partnership with OSPI and WSAC. OSPI identifies free and reduced price lunch eligible students via data from districts that is reported through CEDARS. Additionally, students in state foster care at any point from 7th grade through age 21 (or they graduate high school) will be automatically signed up. This is through a partnership with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and WSAC.  For full details on the requirements to receive College Bound, please go to the Eligibility to Receive the College Bound Scholarship section of this FAQ.

• No. For other ways to pay for a college education, visit wsac.wa.gov.

• If a student is enrolled in a private school or homeschool program in Washington, the parent/guardian can contact us 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.  

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

• A certificate will be mailed when we have an address on file. Please check the portal periodically to be sure all addresses are updated.

No – the certificate is not needed to receive the scholarship and does not guarantee receipt of the scholarship. Students must meet the pledge requirements found at collegebound.wa.gov to receive the scholarship.

• 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 their senior year of high school.
• In order to receive the scholarship, students must fulfill the pledge and: • Be income eligible, as determined by their college with the information from their FAFSA or WASFA.
• Be accepted to college and begin attending within one year of high school graduation. In order to receive College Bound funding, you must attend an eligible college: wsac.wa.gov/sfainstitutions.  
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and Washington resident, or meet the program’s state residency requirements. 

• 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 Scholarship 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. 

• Students can earn an approved certificate or degree at Washington’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.wa.gov/sfa-institutions. 11. What will the income requirement be to receive the scholarship when students graduate from high school? To receive the scholarship, the family’s income must fall within 65 percent of the state’s median family income. Eligibility will be determined by the college’s financial aid office when the student completes the FAFSA or WASFA when applying to college. The income chart is available here and below. Keep in mind that this number changes annually.