How to Apply and Pay for
Education After High School
12th Year Campaign
Junior/Senior
Student
Workbook
The contents of this publicaon were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Educaon. However, the content does not
necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Educaon, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
Find Resources
To nd the URLs or links to the resources featured
in this workbook, visit:
• bit.ly/JrSrWorkbook
Or use QR Code:
To nd more post-high school pathway and
nancial aid information and resources, visit:
• bit.ly/12thYrStudent
• gearup.wa.gov/students-families
Contents
College & Career Pathways : .............................................................................................. 4
You Have Options! ...................................................................................................................................4
How To Become An Apprentice .............................................................................................................5
Technical & Specialty Colleges
.............................................................................................................6
Military Pathways
....................................................................................................................................7
Preparing for College .......................................................................................................... 9
Preparing for College: Junior Checklist ............................................................................................... 9
Find Resources .........................................................................................................................................10
Preparing for College: Senior Checklist ..............................................................................................11
FAQs: Admissions Applications .............................................................................................................14
College Counseling Resume ...................................................................................................................19
Selection Criteria Chart ..........................................................................................................................22
College Application Tracking Chart ..................................................................................................... 23
Application Personal Statement & Essay Tips ....................................................................................24
I Applied. Now What? ............................................................................................................................ 25
How to Apply for Financial Aid ........................................................................................ 26
Information For Undocumented & Other Non-Citizen Students ......................................................29
Information for Youth in Foster Care ....................................................................................................30
Before You Begin Filing the FAFSA... ...................................................................................................31
Your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) ..................................................................................................32
Understanding Your Award Letter ........................................................................................................33
Glossary .............................................................................................................................. 34
WSECU: Proud Supporter of the 12th Year Campaign ........................................................ 39
PAGE 4
College & Career Pathways: You Have Options!
After high school, different paths lead to
different types of credentials. Depending on
your career interests and goals, you may need
one (or several) of these credentials.
Workplace
People who go straight into the workplace
usually do not have formal credentials beyond
a high school diploma. However, some people
on this path might complete an apprenticeship
or other on-the-job training.
• Certicate for completion of training
• Apprenticeship
CTE (Technical) College
Most technical colleges award a certicate to
show completion of a program of study. Some
also award associate degrees.
• Certicate or certication for completion
of a program (one year or less)
• Associate degree (two years)
Traditional Two-Year College
Most community colleges award certicates or
associate degrees, depending on the program.
On average, an associate degree takes two
years to complete for students who can go full-
time. At some colleges, students can continue
on to earn a bachelor’s degree. In two years,
students typically earn an associate degree.
• Associate degree
Traditional Four-Year College
Most four-year colleges award bachelor’s
degrees. On average, a bachelor’s degree
takes four years to complete for students who
can go full-time. The two most common types
of bachelor’s degrees are a B.S. (Bachelor of
Science) or a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)
• Bachelor’s degree
Graduate School
Many careers require specialized training
and education beyond a bachelor’s degree.
Students attend graduate or professional
school to receive this training and earn
a graduate or advanced degree. Some
advanced degrees include:
• Master’s degree: most common are M.S.
(Science) or M.A. (Arts)
• Business degree (M.B.A. for Master of
Business Arts)
• Medical degree (M.D. for Medical Doctor
• Law degree (J.D. for Juris Doctor)
• Doctorate degree (Ph.D. for Doctor of
Philosophy)
National Service
• Military Options: ROTC, Military
Academies, or Enlistment
• AmeriCorps
PAGE 5
How To Become An Apprentice
Get Ready!
Apprenticeships can follow graduation, or you
can opt for a two-year college program that
leads directly to an apprenticeship. If you are
a junior or younger, prepare for this pathway
by taking the following actions:
• Ask about career exploration activities and/
or skill-building opportunities. Be sure to take
courses (usually STEM) that prepare you.
• Join a program that allows you to earn
college credit during high school, e.g., Running
Start or Career & Technical Education Dual
Credit (also known as Tech Prep).
• Visit and research apprenticeship
opportunities like you would do for any two-
or four-year college or university. Be sure to
pursue multiple options and create a backup
plan. Programs are usually competitive.
• You may also be able to take part in a pre-
apprenticeship program during or after high
school. These programs can help you improve
basic skills and learn more about different
careers.
Find a Program!
In some cases, you apply directly to an
apprenticeship program; in others, you join an
apprenticeship program through a community/
technical college or an employer. To
participate, you must be at least 18 years of
age, pass a drug test (including no marijuana
even if legal in WA), and be physically able to
perform the work.
• Each program and its application are
different. Decide if you want to apply directly
for an apprenticeship before/after high
school graduation OR enroll in a two-year
college program that leads directly to an
apprenticeship.
• Find out when the program is accepting
applications. Be sure to ask if you are
required to in person. Travel may be
necessary.
• You most likely will be required to submit a
transcript and resume.
• You may need to take a test at a community
or technical college. Many programs
have prerequisites for math and reading
comprehension.
• A committee interviews most applicants. You
should prepare for an interview.
• Review individual program information
through WA State Department of Labor
& Industries (L&I). Find programs in your
area that take applications through the
Apprenticeship Registration and Tracking
System (ARTS) on the L&I website.
Apply!
Most programs accept applications regularly.
To determine whether or not a program
accepts applications, you need to contact
them directly. To nd Active Apprenticeship
Programs:
1. Go to the online Apprentice Registration and
Tracking System (ARTS). Run a Report of
“Programs by County” for the county where
you live or work to see all the programs in that
county, sorted by occupation.
2. Go through the entire list and select the
appropriate program(s), which will give you the
contact information for that program.
3. Contact the program directly to inquire if they
are accepting applications. If the program is
accepting applications, follow their directions
for applying.
Once you have applied and are accepted,
the program will register you with Labor &
Industries as a registered apprentice.
NOTE: You will need to obtain the appropriate
license or trainee card if you are accepted into
an occupation that has a Licensing/Certication
requirement in Washington State.
PAGE 6
Technical & Specialty Colleges
If you are the kind of student who already has
a particular, clear-cut career goal and would
like to quickly get into the job market, you may
want to consider technical or other specialty
programs.
Technical colleges vary widely in majors, length
of programs, cost, and other characteristics, but
they have one thing in common: an emphasis on
hands-on training for a specic career.
Typical fields of study include:
• Health care (practical nursing, home health
aide).
• Computers, technology (electronics, auto
mechanics, plumbing, heating, and air
conditioning).
• Culinary arts.
• Business.
• And more.
The specic degree or certicate may vary
depending on your eld, but two-year
associate degrees are common. You should visit
the campus and research it as any other option.
There are public/non-prot technical and
specialty colleges and for-prot schools. Both
of these have aspects that you should factor
into your decision-making.
Key Considerations
Public/Non-Prot Schools
• Requires careful consideration. Financial
aid is sometimes limited. Because of the
specialized nature of technical programs,
it may be difcult (or even impossible) to
change majors without starting over.
• You should do as much research as
possible.
• For example, read about career elds,
shadow someone in a chosen eld, speak
with local employers, etc.
Public/Non-Prot Schools
• Be a savvy shopper.
• Some technical schools are for-prot
colleges and have been the subject
of federal investigations for improper
recruiting and nancial aid practices. You
are encouraged to research the reputation
and nancial stability of any technical
college you are considering.
• Check out this resource from the U.S.
Department of Education for advice on
how to nd the perfect career college or
technical school:
bit.ly/12thYrStudent
PAGE 7
PAGE 6
Military Pathways
Reserve Officer Training Corps
ROTC is a military ofcer training program offered at 1,700 colleges nationwide. Cadets agree to serve in the
military post-college (usually 4-5 years) in exchange for potentially signicant nancial aid for their college
education and a guaranteed post-college career. Explore branch(es) of interest to learn the application process
(including Army ROTC, Navy-option ROTC, Air Force ROTC, Marine-option ROTC). NOTE: The ROTC scholarship
application is in addition to the college application. It has its own
deadline.
Enlisting
If you are interested in enlisting, you should visit Today’s Military website to explore what enlisting means and
which branch you would like to pursue.
1. You will need to take the ASVAB exam. You should prepare by visiting their website to learn more about this
test and get help with test preparation.
2. Meet with a recruiter. Visit the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) website for more information. You
will report to MEPS if you decide to enlist. You will spend the day at a military processing station (MEPS).
That is where you will take the ASVAB, have a physical exam, and meet with a career counselor. If you are
accepted, you will take the oath of enlistment.
3. Finally, you will await orders for basic training. You should receive orders within a few weeks. If you enrolled
in the delayed entry program, you would get orders within a year.
Military Academies
There are ve federal United States service academies,
and each have its own application and process. Visit each
academy’s website for details:
• The United States Military Academy (USMA).
• The United States Naval Academy (USNA).
• The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA).
• The United States Merchant Marine Academy
(USMMA).
• The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA).
This application process is rigorous. Be early and thorough.
The process must begin during your junior year of high
school. You will be required to take the ACT or SAT. Prepare
by:
1. Retake exams if you scored below 540 (SAT) or 26
(ACT) on any section.
2. Get help from your local mentor.
3. Schedule your medical exam EARLY.
4. Train for your Candidate Fitness Exam.
5. Treat the nomination interview like a job interview.
Benefits of a College Experience
through the Military
ROTC and Academies
• Student graduates as an ofcer (higher salary
and leadership skills).
• Signicant/All costs paid.
• Focus on academic and physical development.
• Long-standing tradition and honor.
• The GI Bill helps pay for future education (can
be transferred to children).
Enlisting
• The military pays for needed training/
education and provides a place to live
• The GI Bill helps pay for future education (can
be transferred to children).
• Guaranteed job placement after successful
boot camp and training experiences.
• Sense of honor, duty, service, and patriotism
along with sought-after skills, leadership and
experience.
This workbook will guide you through the process
of applying to a two- or four-year school.
The FAFSA guidance in this workbook relates
to the 2022-2023 FAFSA application. NOTE: The
FAFSA Simplification Act will change the process
and instructions for future applications. Federal
Student Aid expects the changes to occur on Oct. 1,
2023, for the 2024-25 award year.
Planning to pursue an apprenticeship, a career
school, or the military? Learn how to prepare for
other post-high school options at:
bit.ly/12thYrStudent
Confused by the vocabulary? Check out the
glossary at the back of this guide!
PAGE 8
PAGE 9
Preparing for College: Junior Checklist
October/November/December
� Talk to the school counselor about the
year ahead. Conrm that your courses
will put you on track for your graduation
pathway. Ask about ASVAB, ASPIRE, PSAT,
ACT, and/or SAT test dates. You’ll need to
register up to six weeks ahead of time.
� Start developing a resume of your
accomplishments, activities, and work
experiences. It will be an essential part of
your college application.
� If you haven’t participated in many
activities outside of class, now is the
time to start. Consider school clubs, team
sports, leadership roles, or involvement in
religious or civic community groups.
� Take the PSAT. Taking it as a junior
will qualify you for some scholarship
consideration and identify you as a
potential college applicant. Review the
results to learn more about your strengths
and weaknesses. Discuss the results with
your family and school counselor.
� Begin to prepare for the ACT or SAT.
Free test preparation may be available
at school, local community colleges, or
community-based programs. There are
free online resources. Plan to take at least
one of these tests in the spring and again
in the fall of senior year. There are test
fees, but fee waivers are available. Ask
your counselor if you qualify.
January/February
� Meet with your school counselor to
develop your schedule for senior year.
Consider enrolling in the most challenging
courses, like dual credit courses, for which
you qualify.
� Register for a spring offering of the SAT
and/or ACT. Ask your counselor about
taking an SAT subject test.
� Ask your counselor about summer
opportunities on college campuses. It can
be a great way to nd out what college
life is like and may make you a stronger
candidate for college admissions. Some
programs have scholarships or can assist
with costs.
March/April
� Begin taking a more serious look at
colleges and universities. Go to college
fairs and open houses and research
options online.
� Begin planning college visits. Spring
break is an excellent time to visit. Try to
visit colleges near you, including a large, a
medium-sized, and a small campus.
� Develop a preliminary list of colleges
that interest you. Write or email to
request a viewbook and additional
information. Make a le for each college
that you’re interested in and gather
information about academics, nancial
aid, and campus life.
� Think about lining up a summer job or
internship.
PAGE 10
MAY
� Make a list of teachers, counselors,
employers, and other adults you might
ask to write letters of recommendation.
� Make a prole on TheWashBoard and
begin searching for and applying to
scholarships.
� Create an FSA ID. An FSA ID gives you
access to Federal Student Aid’s online
systems and can serve as your legal
signature. You must have an FSA ID to
apply for the FAFSA. You can use the FSA
ID worksheet located in this workbook.
If you are considered dependent for
nancial aid purposes, your parent could
also create an FSA ID.
SUMMER
� Continue investigating colleges.
� Begin thinking about your applications.
Generally, colleges will have their
applications online by the beginning of
August. Work on the essay(s) before you
return to school.
Find Resources
bit.ly/JrSrWorkbook
Junior & Senior Resources
• ACT Prole
• College Board’s Big Future
• College Board CSS Financial Aid Prole
• College Bound Scholarship
• College & Career Compass
• Federal Student Aid
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA)
• Free Essay Review by Get Schooled
• FSA ID
• Passport to Careers Program
• SwiftStudent
• The Washboard Scholarship Search
• WA Application for State Financial Aid
(WASFA)
• WA State Financial Aid Calculator
• WA State GEAR UP
Free Test Preparation Tools
• ACCUPLACER (For community & technical
colleges)
• ACT (For 4-year colleges)
• ASVAB (For the military)
• SAT (For 4-year colleges)
Free Texting Support Tools
Otterbot is a free texting service created to
support high school seniors who have signed up
for the College Bound Scholarship. Otter sends
nancial aid info and reminders to College
Bound seniors. Students can access Otterbot
via text message 24 hours a day, seven days a
week by texting “Hi Otter” to 360-928-7281.
PAGE 11
Preparing for College: Senior Checklist
August/September
� Register for the SAT and/or ACT. Your
counselor can help you with fee waivers if
needed.
� Take a look at some college applications
and consider all of the different pieces
of information you will need to compile to
complete them.
� Visit your school counselor to make sure
you are on-track to graduate and fulll
college admission requirements.
� Take every opportunity to get to
know colleges. Meet with college
representatives who visit your high school
in the fall, attend local college fairs, and
visit campuses if possible.
� Narrow down your list of potential
colleges and begin to consider “reach,”
“target,” and “safety” schools. Make sure
you have the application and nancial aid
information for each school.
� Create a checklist and calendar to
chart: a) Standardized test dates,
registration deadlines, and fees. b)
College application due dates. c) Financial
aid application forms and deadlines. d)
Other materials you’ll need for college
applications (recommendations, transcripts,
essays, etc.).
� Some colleges and universities require
the CSS/Financial Aid Prole. Ask the
colleges to which you are applying for
their CSS Prole deadlines. Register as
early as September. See your school
counselor about CSS Prole fee waivers.
October
� File the FAFSA (Free Application
for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA
(Washington Application for State
Financial Aid). The sooner you complete
your nancial aid application, the more
aid you could potentially receive from
colleges. Students ineligible for federal
aid due to immigration status can get more
information and apply for the WASFA.
� Some colleges will have application
deadlines as early as this month. Look
up the deadlines for the schools to which
you want to apply.
� Ask your counselor to help you request
a fee waiver if you cannot afford the
application fees that many colleges
charge. If you had a waiver for SAT/
ACT, you would qualify for a college
application fee waiver.
� Finalize your college essay. Many schools
require that you submit at least one essay
with your application.
� Request personal recommendations from
non-family members such as teachers,
school counselors, or employers. Provide
a stamped, addressed envelope, the
appropriate college forms, and an
outline of your academic record and
extracurricular activities to each person
writing you a recommendation.
� Research scholarships. Ask your
counselor, colleges, and religious and civic
groups about scholarship opportunities.
Keep your WashBoard prole updated
and keep applying for scholarships.
PAGE 12
Remember, you should never pay for
scholarship searches or information.
November
� Finalize and send applications due this
month. Have a parent, teacher, counselor,
or another adult review the application
before submitting it.
� Every college will require a copy of your
transcripts from your high school. Follow
your high school’s procedure for sending
transcripts.
� Make sure testing companies (ACT or
SAT) sent your scores directly to the
colleges you are applying to.
December
� Many popular or selective colleges
have application deadlines as early as
January 1. Others have deadlines later
in January and February. Keep track of
and observe deadlines for sending in all
required fees and paperwork.
� Register for the January SAT (if needed).
It is the last one most colleges will consider
for a senior.
January
� If necessary, register for the February
ACT.
� Ask your high school in January to send
rst semester transcripts to the colleges
to which you applied. At the end of the
school year, they will need to send your
nal transcripts to the college that you will
attend.
� Apply for scholarships. Ask your
counselor, colleges, and religious and civic
groups about scholarship opportunities.
Keep your WashBoard prole updated
and keep applying for scholarships.
Remember, you should never pay for
scholarship searches or information.
February/March/April
� No Senioritis! Even if you’ve already
submitted most of your applications, don’t
slack in the classroom. The college you
choose to attend will want to see your
second-semester transcript.
� Acceptance letters and nancial aid
offers will start to arrive. Be sure to check
your email. Colleges will communicate with
you via email. Review your acceptances,
compare nancial aid packages, and visit
your nal choices, especially if you haven’t
already.
May
� In most cases, the college you plan
to attend requires a commitment
and deposit by May 1. When you’ve
made your college decision, notify your
counselor and the college. Accept your
chosen nancial aid package, and follow
their instructions. Notify any colleges you
decline of your decision.
� Make sure that you request your high
school sends your nal transcript to your
college.
� If you are waitlisted by a college you
want to attend, visit, call, and write. Ask
how you can strengthen your application
and clarify your interest to the admissions
ofce.
Summer
� Summer jobs can help pay some of your
PAGE 13
college expenses and give you great
career preparation.
� If you are going to live on campus,
make a list of what you will need for
your dorm room. Check your college’s
“Housing” or “Residence Life” web page
for further information. You will most
likely get a roommate assignment from
your college. Call, write, or email to get
acquainted.
� Some colleges offer a summer
orientation/registration. Attend to meet
fellow students and other people on
campus and familiarize yourself with your
new school. Orientation is usually when
you will sign up for your fall courses.
� If commuting, nd out how to get
a parking permit if needed. After
registering, you may want to map out your
courses to nd the nearest parking lot.
Did Your Financial
Circumstances
Change?
You might be experiencing a
change in income from what
you reported on the nancial
aid application or what
your previous year’s taxes
reected. You will need to
connect with the nancial aid
department of the colleges
where you applied.
SwiftStudent is a free
tool that helps students
understand appeals and
provides templates for
writing a nancial aid appeal
letter. This tool does not
share user data with third
parties.
Learn more:
bit.ly/12thYrStudent
PAGE 14
FAQs: Admissions Applications
What is my “entering term” and
what is my “year?”
Most students will select the fall “term”
following senior year; however, choose the
summer option if you plan to attend summer
school before to fall enrollment.
What is my entrance status?
The following are denitions for each status.
• First-year/Freshman: First-year/Freshman
will be the rst college you enroll in
after graduating high school (most high
school seniors will have this status). Check
this status even if you have Advanced
Placement credit, College in the High
School credit, Running Start credit, or have
earned any college credits.
• Transfer: A transfer student is a student
who starts at one college, and then
decides to attend another.
• Non-Degree: You want to take college
course(s) but are not seeking a degree.
What is my desired major?
A major is an academic area in which you
are most interested, like math, English, or
biomedical engineering. Under “First Choice,”
you can choose your rst choice of majors.
You may check “Undecided;” however, some
colleges want you to declare a major upon
applying. You can change your major once
you’re in college, no matter what you put in this
section.
Address: Can I list a Post Office
Box?
You will need to include a physical address
even if you use a Post Ofce Box for your
mailing address. Make sure this information is
correct. The date that the address became your
permanent mailing address is the month and
year you moved to this location (which may
even be your date of birth).
Personal Information: What types
of personal information will I
need to provide?
Typically, applications ask for your nine-digit
Social Security Number. The college will use
this number to determine your residency for
tuition purposes. If you do not have a nine-digit
Social Security Number, enter all zeros in the
application. You may learn more information in
the undocumented & other non-citizen students
section of this guide.
School Information
If your high school can submit your transcripts
electronically, you will need the high school
code to put on the application. To nd your
school code, visit: bit.ly/JrSrWorkbook
College Information
What should I list for current college courses in
progress or planned, including the term (to be)
taken, course subject and number (example:
BIO 1001), credit hours, and college/
university? You may add dual credit programs
PAGE 15
through college course enrollment (Running
Start, College in the High School) here;
however, do not list AP courses.
Family Information: What family
information am I required to
submit?
You may need to answer the following required
question: Are your father and/or mother living?
If applicable, provide the same information
requested for a father and/or a mother for
any legal guardians that may have. You may
be required to provide an emergency contact,
too.
You might be considered an independent
student on your nancial aid application if:
• your parents are deceased,
• you are unaccompanied,
• at risk of homelessness,
• self-supporting; or
• you live with legal guardians or foster
parents.
See your school counselor for guidance or visit:
bit.ly/JrSrWorkbook
Activities and Interests: Do
I have to list all my activities
and interests for each college
application?
Colleges are more likely to accept students
who have been involved in their school and
community, so it is to your advantage to list
them. Remember to include both school and
non-school activities and interests. If you have
a signicant number of activities and interests
that you wish to include, you might consider
listing them in a Word document or an email
so you can copy and paste the list into your
applications.
Campus Specific Information:
What additional information will
I need to include for each college
application?
This information varies by school. You can nd
more information by looking at the campus
website. For this reason, it’s a good idea to
look at each school’s actual application before
sitting down to complete it.
Miscellaneous Information: What
types of questions do schools ask
about past criminal activity?
Most schools require students to answer
questions about legal infractions. Answering
“yes” to one or more questions will not
necessarily preclude your admittance. However,
your failure to provide complete, accurate,
and truthful information can be grounds to
deny or withdraw your admission, dismiss you,
or subject you to disciplinary sanctions after
enrollment. Some campuses have a process
for conducting criminal background checks
on applicants, which may or may not happen
regarding your application. Schools expect
complete honesty on your applications.
PAGE 16
College Application Checklist
If possible, work with your family to complete this checklist. You will need this information to complete a
college application. Keep this information secure.
Student Information
Application Usernames & Passwords:
Full Name (First, Middle, Last)
Permanent Address (Include a mailing address, too, if different than the permanent) City, State, Zip
Home Phone Number, Cell Number
Email Address
Social Security Number, Driver’s License Number & Date Issued
Date of Birth, Place of Birth (City, State, Country)
Academic Area of Study
Parent/Guardian Information
First Parent/Guardian Full Name (First, Middle, Last)
Permanent Address (Include a mailing address, too, if different than the permanent), City, State, Zip
Home Phone Number, Cell Number, Email Address
Second Parent/Guardian Full Name (First, Middle, Last)
Permanent Address (Include a mailing address, too, if different than the permanent), City, State, Zip
Home Phone Number, Cell Number, Email Address
High School Information
Name of Current High School, Phone Number
Mailing Address, City, State, Zip
Date You Entered High School, Expected Graduation Date
Counselor Name, Counselor Contact Information
Previous High School Information (if applicable)
High School Name (Use full name), Phone Number
Mailing Address
Dates of Attendance
Counselor Name, Counselor Contact Information
PAGE 17
PAGE 18
Previous Colleges & College Credit Earned
List any colleges you have attended for which you expect to receive college credit.
College Name
City, State
Dates of Attendance
List any dual credit programs you are taking during your senior year. Please indicate whether they
are Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge International (CI), International Baccalaureate (IB) courses
with exams, Running Start, College in the High School (CHS), and Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Dual Credit. These tests or courses may result in college course credit.
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
List any other courses (summer school, online, etc.)
SAT Test Date (month/year), Math Score, Reading/Writing Score, Essay (Optional) Score
ACT Test Date (month/year), Composite Score
PAGE 18
College Counseling Resume
Use this worksheet to reect on your individual goals and accomplishments. This information can help you nd a college
that is a good match.
Note: Family makeup varies. Complete or modify the chart below with information that best
reects your circumstances.
Section 1: Family
Parent/Guardian 1
Name
Educational Background
Occupation
Parent/Guardian 2
Name
Educational Background
Occupation
Siblings
Name
Educational Background
Occupation
PAGE 19
PAGE 20
Section 2: Academics/School
Which subjects do you like?
In which subjects have you done the best?
Which subjects are more difcult for you?
How would you describe your academic record? Are your grades above, below, or consistent with your
ability? Why?
Describe your nest academic moment.
Section 3: Activities
List the activities in which you have participated. Make sure to note any leadership positions that
you have held.
Clubs & Organizations
Athletics (List sport & level)
Community Service
Jobs & Summer Activities
Section 4: College/Career Interests
List the college majors or subject areas that most interest you
In which profession(s) do you see yourself working?
Section 5: Factors Affecting Your College Choices
1. Besides getting an education and preparing for a career, why are you going to college?
2. What type of college environment will challenge you to grow the most academically and
personally?
3. What are your top four to six criteria in selecting a college?
4. In college, what extracurricular activities do you want to continue or begin?
5. What pressures, if any, are you feeling from yourself or others about going to college?
6. What are your main concerns about attending college?
7. Check your preferred college type(s):
Two-year Four-year Private Public Career or Technical School
8. In what regions or specic states are you interested in attending college?
9. Check all types of communities in which you might be interested in attending college:
Small town Large town City Rural Near the mountains
Near the coast Undecided No preference
10. College size – check all that apply:
Under 1,000 students 1,000 – 2,000 2,000 – 5,000 5,000 – 10,000
More than 10,000 No preference
11. If there is anything else you would like to share about yourself on a college application,
note it here.
PAGE 21
PAGE 22
Selection Criteria Chart
Use this chart to compare different colleges based on the selection criteria that are most important
to you. You may want to refer to Section 5 on the College Counseling Resume to determine what is
most important to you in choosing the colleges you wish to apply to.
Your
Criteria
College 1: College 2: College 3: College 4: College 5:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
You may wish to consider the following factors as selection criteria:
• Type of College: Public or private Two-year Four-year Technical
• Location: Urban or rural Size of nearest city State
• Size: Physical enrollment/Size of the student body Physical size of the campus
• Environment: Co-ed Single sex
• Academics: Majors Accreditation Student-faculty ratio Typical class size
• Admission Prole: Average test scores GPA
• College Expenses: Cost of attendance Scholarships In-state/out-of-state tuition
• Housing: Residence halls Food plan On- or off-campus
• Facilities: Academic Recreational
• Activities: Clubs, organizations Greek life Athletic
If you are an unaccompanied homeless youth, currently
in or have been in foster care, are LGBTQ+, or have other
unique considerations, please see bit.ly/12thYrStudent
to learn how to find the right fit and best aid possible.
College Application Tracking Chart
Use this chart to track what you’ve done and what you have left to do on your college
applications.
Section 1: List application deadlines and required application materials.
College Application
Deadline
Application
Fee Amount
SAT or ACT
Required?
Recommen-
dation Letter
Required?
Financial Aid
Deadline
Section 2:
Use this chart to track what parts you have completed and what you have left to complete.
College
Transcript Sent
(Date)
Test Scores
Sent (Date)
Recommen-
dation Letters
Sent (Date)
Financial Aid
Forms Filed
(Date)
Application
Submitted
(Date)
PAGE 23
PAGE 24
Application Personal Statement & Essay Tips
Choose A Topic That Will Highlight You.
Don’t focus on the great aspects of a particular
college, the amount of dedication it takes to
be a doctor, or the number of extracurricular
activities that you participated in during school.
Do share your personal story and thoughts,
take a creative approach and highlight
areas you do not cover in other parts of the
application.
Keep Your Focus Narrow and Personal.
Don’t try to cover too many topics. It will
make the essay sound like a résumé and won’t
provide any additional details about you.
Do focus on one aspect of yourself so the
readers can learn more about who you are.
Remember that the readers must be able
to nd your main idea and follow it from
beginning to end. Ask a parent or teacher to
read just your introduction and tell you what he
or she thinks your essay is about.
Show. Don’t Tell.
Don’t simply state a fact to get an idea across,
such as “I like to surround myself with people
with various backgrounds and interests.”
Do include specic details, examples, and
reasons to develop your ideas. For the
example above, describe a situation when
you were surrounded by various types of
people. What were you doing? Whom did you
talk with? What did you take away from the
experience?
Use Your Own Voice.
Don’t rely on phrases or ideas that people
have used many times before. These could
include statements like, “There is so much
suffering in the world that I feel I have to help
people.” Avoid overly formal or business-like
language, and don’t use unnecessary words.
Do write in your own voice. For the above
example, you could write about an authentic
experience and how it made you feel you had
to act.
Ask A Teacher Or Parent To Proofread.
Don’t turn your essay in without proofreading
it, and don’t rely only on your computer’s spell
check to catch mistakes. A spell-check program
will miss typos like these:
“After I graduate form high school, I plan to
get a summer job.”
“From that day on, Daniel was my best fried.”
Do ask a teacher or parent to proofread your
essay to catch mistakes. You should also ask
the person who proofreads your essay if the
writing sounds like you.
PAGE 25
I Applied. Now What?
Applying is one of the rst steps on your path attending college. Keep in mind that it may take a couple
of months for the college or university to get back to you. Once you’ve submitted your application,
ensure that you’ve turned in everything you need for the college to consider you as a potential student.
Have you:
• Submitted your application fee or fee waiver (if the college charges a fee)?
• Asked your high school counselor to send your transcript to the college?
• Submitted your letters of recommendation (if required by the college)?
• Submitted your essay (if required by the college)?
• Sent any college transcripts you might have (from dual-credit courses)?
• Sent your AP or IB scores (if applicable)?
• Conrmed that the college received everything?
Even after a college acceptance, there’s still a lot of work to make your nal decision and get ready.
You’ll want to consider what nancial aid is available to you at the colleges you’re considering, and
you’ll want to decide if you want to live on campus or commute. Once you decide on a college, you’ll
need to register as a new student and enroll in classes. Some colleges offer a summer orientation/
registration.
Qualifying for Financial Aid
Financial aid is money to help pay for college. It comes from the federal and state governments,
colleges and universities, banks, and organizations. Applying for nancial aid is separate from
applying for admission to a college. You have to do both. To receive nancial aid, you must apply
for it using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are ineligible for federal aid
due to immigration status, you should le the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
Colleges use the results of the FAFSA or WASFA to create a nancial aid package specic to you.
If your EFC is not enough to cover the cost of attending a particular school, you will be offered federal
and state need-based nancial aid. Although your EFC
will stay the same, your nancial aid eligibility may
increase when you apply to higher-priced colleges.
There are virtual and in-person events statewide
throughout the year if you need help ling nancial aid. Ask your school counselor for more information
on events or assistance.
COST OF ATTENDANCE (COA) – EXPECTED
FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC) = FINANCIAL NEED
PAGE 26
How to Apply for Financial Aid
You must apply to qualify for nancial aid. All federal nancial aid programs, most programs offered by the
State of Washington, and many college programs require you to complete and submit the FAFSA. If you are
undocumented, have DACA, or are otherwise ineligible for federal nancial aid due to immigration status, you
should complete the WASFA instead of the FAFSA for consideration for state aid.
You should aim to complete either the FAFSA or WASFA as close to October 1 as possible because nancial aid
dollars are limited and often are awarded on a rst-come, rst-served basis.
Important FAFSA Facts
• If you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or a FAFSA-eligible non-citizen, you should complete the FAFSA
for federal and state aid consideration.
• Make sure you visit the ofcial FAFSA web page. It is FREE to le the FAFSA! Do not apply through websites
that require you to pay a fee. You can complete, submit, and track your application. However, if you do not
have Internet access, you can get a paper copy by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (433-3243).
• There is an online chat function to answer any questions students or parents might have.
• You should le the FAFSA every year you attend school.
Important WASFA Facts
• If you are an undocumented student in Washington State or you are not eligible for the FAFSA due to
immigration status, you may qualify for some state nancial aid.
• Make sure you visit the ofcial WASFA web page. It is FREE to le the WASFA! You should le the WASFA
for every year you end school.
• You and your parents will report income from two years prior to the current year.
Types of Aid
Very few students get all their nancial aid for college from one source. When searching for nancial
aid, consider a wide variety of options and apply to as many programs as possible.
Grants
Grants do not have to be repaid if you successfully complete the courses you were enrolled in. They are given
to students who have high nancial need. Most grants come from the federal and state governments.
Scholarships
Scholarships do not have to be repaid if you successfully complete your coursework. Most scholarships come
from organizations and colleges for good grades, cultural or religious background, sports, and/or unique
talents.
Work Study
Work study helps you earn money to pay for your education by working a part-time job offered through
college. There are federal, state, and institutional work study programs.
Loans
Loans for students have lower interest rates than most other types of loans. Unlike grants or scholarships, loans
must be repaid with interest when you nish college, even if you do not graduate. Banks, colleges, and other
institutions offer student loans.
PAGE 27
PAGE 26
State Financial Aid:
Washington College Grant
The new Washington College Grant (WCG)
gives more money to more students for more
types of education after high school. It makes
education and training beyond high school
affordable. WCG includes more programs and
types of credentials, and more families are
eligible.
Who is eligible?
WCG is open to students right out of high
school, as well as to adult students. An eligible
student from a family of four making $56,000
or less per year would receive a full award.
Undocumented and other immigrant students
may also be eligible. Partial grants are
available for families making up to the state’s
median family income, around $102,000
for a family of four. Recipients must meet
WCG program requirements and attend an
approved college or training program.
What does it cover?
The maximum award amount—which in 2022-
23 ranged from about $2,823 to $11,705—
will cover full tuition at any in-state public
college or university, including community or
technical colleges, or provide a comparable
amount toward tuition and other education-
related costs at an approved private college
or career training program. Amounts vary
based on income, family size, and the school or
program attended.
How do I apply?
There is no separate application for the
Washington College Grant. Students should
complete a federal or state nancial aid
application (FAFSA or WASFA), which colleges
will use to determine eligibility and make
awards. Students can now apply for nancial
aid for the following school year.
For more information about the types of aid,
FAFSA, and WASFA, visit bit.ly/JrSrWorkbook,
talk to your high school counselor, or contact
the college nancial aid ofce.
College Bound
Scholarship
The scholarship is available to 7th- and 8th-
grade students whose family income meets the
guidelines, or in foster care. Some 9th-grade
students may have been able to apply if they
met specic requirements. The scholarship
covers tuition (at comparable public colleges),
some fees, and a small book allowance. Foster
youth in 7th-12th-grade, up to age 21, who
have not graduated from high school, are
automatically enrolled in the College Bound
Scholarship.
Beginning in 2020, students who were eligible
for free and reduced price lunch in 7th or 8th
grade, or were newly eligible in 9th grade
were automatically enrolled. In earlier years,
students had to apply in 7th or 8th grade.
PAGE 27
PAGE 28
What is the student commitment or College Bound Pledge?
• Graduate from a Washington State high school with a 2.0 GPA or better.
• Have no felony convictions.
• Be income-eligible, determined by the college with information from the FAFSA or WASFA.
• Enroll in college within one year of high school graduation.
If you have questions about your College Bound application, please contact the program at 888-535-
0747 Option 1. Visit www.collegebound.wa.gov for more information and award amounts.
Scholarships
TheWashboard.org
TheWashboard.org is a free web-based resource for Washington students attending college in and
outside of Washington. It helps students quickly identify scholarships for which they are eligible by
showing only those scholarship opportunities that match their prole data. Students’ private information
is kept condential.
Scholarships are diverse and support a wide variety of student interests and accomplishments.
• One-third of listed scholarships require a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Financial need is not a basis for more than half of scholarships.
• Many scholarships are renewable, which means you may be eligible for continued scholarship
funding.
Scholarship Search Engines and Databases
• www.gearup.wa.gov/students-families
• www.getschooled.com/journey/get-to-college/scholarships-for-college
• www.scholarshipjunkies.org/
• www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
• www.unigo.com
• www.scholarships360.org
• www.fastweb.com
• www.scholarships.com
PAGE 29
Information For Undocumented & Other Non-Citizen
Students
Resident Tuition
At public colleges and universities in
Washington State, students who are
undocumented or non-citizens may be eligible
for lower in-state tuition rates instead of the
more expensive non-resident tuition rates.
Undocumented Students
There are three criteria you must meet to
qualify for in-state tuition:
1. Graduate from high school (or earn a GED
or equivalent).
2. Maintain a primary residence in
Washington for at least 12 consecutive
months immediately before their rst term
at the college determining residency.
Note: The Washington residence must
be for purposes other than college. If
students take any courses at another
Washington college during the prior
12 months, they cannot have taken
more than six credits in any given term.
Students exceeding that limit must prove
that they have a Washington residence
for non-college reasons.
3. Sign an afdavit (written promise)
afrming eligibility and promising to
become a U.S. permanent resident when
eligible to apply. The afdavit is part of
the WASFA nancial aid application.
Other Non-citizen Students
Many other non-citizens, including permanent
residents, refugees, asylees, and certain visa
types, may be eligible for resident tuition
through the criteria above or through other
ways.
State Financial Aid
Undocumented and non-citizen students who
meet resident tuition requirements may also
qualify for Washington State nancial aid
programs, even if they are ineligible for
federal nancial aid due to immigration status.
Students must meet individual program
and income requirements and residency
requirements for the Washington College
Grant, the College Bound Scholarship, State
Work Study, and Passport to Careers.
How to Apply
• Undocumented Students: Undocumented
students use the free WASFA (Washington
Application for State Financial Aid) to
apply for state nancial aid.
• Other Non-citizen Students: U.S.
permanent residents (those with a green
card), refugees, asylees, and a few other
non-citizen students apply for aid using the
FAFSA. The FAFSA also requires students
to have a valid Social Security Number.
Check the Federal Student Aid website to
see if you are eligible. Non-citizen students
who do not qualify for federal aid apply
for state aid using the WASFA. Students
who don’t know which application to le
can use the WASFA questionnaire to nd
out at: wsac.wa.gov/wasfa
Confused? That is ok and normal. Find a
virtual or an in-person 12th Year Campaign
event to help you le: bit.ly/12thYrStudent
For more information on any of these topics,
please visit: wsac.wa.gov/immigrants
PAGE 30
Information for Youth in Foster Care
If you have been in foster care after age 13,
money and resources are available to help you
go to college – including vocational training,
two- and 4-year options - for most Washington
State schools.
College Preparation Programs
• Supplemental Education Transition Planning
Program (SETuP). SETuP can provide
information about post-high school education
and training opportunities to you and your
foster family.
• Extended Foster Care Program. This program
provides an opportunity for you at age 18 to
voluntarily agree to continue receiving foster
care services, including placement services,
while you complete high school or a post-high
school academic or vocational program, or
participate in a program or activity designed
to promote employment.
Foster Care-Specific Financial Aid
Programs
• College Bound Scholarship. The College
Bound Scholarship is a state-funded program
managed by the Washington Student
Achievement Council. It is an early promise of
state nancial aid to help pay for education
after high school. The scholarship combines
with other state nancial aid to cover college
tuition at similar public college rates, some
fees, and some money for books. If you have
been in foster care at any time from grade 7
to age 21, you are automatically enrolled in
the College Bound Scholarship program. You
will still need to apply for nancial aid with a
FAFSA or a WASFA at the beginning of your
senior year.
• Passport to Careers Program. This program
helps foster youth and unaccompanied
homeless youth prepare for and succeed
in college, apprenticeships, or pre-
apprenticeship programs. Students receive
a scholarship that helps with the cost
of attending college, support services,
and priority consideration for the State
Work Study program. The Passport to
Apprenticeship Opportunities program assists
students in registered apprenticeship or pre-
apprenticeship programs with occupational-
specic costs.
• Education and Training Voucher (ETV)
Program. This national program offers
nancial assistance to eligible youth to attend
an approved college, university, vocational or
technical college. You may receive funding for
qualied school-related expenses, including
Running Start. Funding is limited and available
on a rst-come, rst-served basis to eligible
students. ETV can help pay for expenses
such as tuition, fees, books, housing, food,
transportation, and other educational costs.
• Washington State Governors’ Scholarship for
Foster Youth. This scholarship helps youth in
foster care continue their education and earn
a college degree. Scholarship amounts vary
depending on the college that you attend. It
is available for up to ve years. You must be
enrolled full-time and maintain satisfactory
grades to renew the scholarship each year.
Find more information about these nancial aid
programs, their updates, and their eligibility
requirements at bit.ly/12thYrStudent
PAGE 31
Before You Begin Filing the FAFSA...
You and your parents will use your completed
tax information from two years ago to submit
the FAFSA. You can save time by using the IRS
Data Retrieval Tool, which automatically takes
information from your tax return and lls in the
required information on the FAFSA form.
Create an FSA ID. This username and password
allows you to gain entry to certain U.S.
Department of Education websites. This FSA
ID also acts as your online signature, which
enables you to submit your FAFSA once you
have completed it online. This ID will let you
check your FAFSA status later and le again
next year.
Steps To Create An FSA ID
1. Visit Federal Student Aid.
2. Create a username and password, and enter
your email address.
3. Enter your name, date of birth, Social Security
number, contact information, and challenge
questions and answers.
4. Review your information, read and accept the
terms and conditions.
5. Conrm your email address using the secure
code, which will be sent to the email address
you entered when you created your FSA ID.
You can use your FSA ID immediately to le
and sign the FAFSA even if you aren’t able to
conrm your email with the secure code.
NOTE: Each student needs an FSA ID. If FAFSA requires
parent information, one parent will also need an FSA
ID to sign the student’s FAFSA. Each student and parent
must create their FSA ID separately. Your parents can
use their FSA ID for both FAFSA applications if you have
siblings. If your parent does not have a Social Security
Number, they will not be able to get an FSA ID. Your
parent will print, sign, and mail in a paper signature
page.
Tips For Creating An FSA ID
• Be sure to enter your information accurately.
Your information will be veried by the Social
Security Administration. Making a mistake,
especially with your social security number,
birth date, or name, will cause delays.
• Remember that an email address can only
be associated with one FSA ID. Students and
parents cannot use the same email address.
• If you have an email address other than
your high school one, use that alternate
email address. You may even want to create
one specically for nancial aid and college
application purposes. Your high school email
access will likely expire after you graduate.
You will need to use your FSA ID for years,
so link it to an email address that you will
continue to use.
• It is crucial to access your email when
creating your FSA ID. Federal Student Aid
will email you a secure code. You will need to
retrieve it when creating your FSA ID. Entering
this secure code will conrm your email
address, which is very important if you forget
your username or password. It will allow
Federal Student Aid to communicate with you
electronically.
• You can use your FSA ID immediately to
access and sign the FAFSA. However, you
won’t be able to use it to update or correct
the FAFSA or enter any other FSA websites
until the Social Security Administration (one to
three days) veries it.
PAGE 32
Your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)
Creating an FSA ID is the rst step to
completing your FAFSA. Your parents may need
to create their own FSA ID. An FSA ID gives you
access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems
and serves as your legal signature. Only create
an FSA ID using your own personal information
and for your own exclusive use.
To create an FSA ID, go to Federal Student
Aid. Complete this form to keep track of
important information related to your FSA ID.
This information should be kept condential
and stored in a secure location. Please bring
this document to your 12th Year Campaign
event.
There are virtual and in-person events
statewide throughout the year if you need help
ling nancial aid. Ask your school counselor
for more information on events or assistance.
Student Information
Email Address
Username
Password
Answers To Challenge Questions
(Answers are case sensitive)
Challenge Question Answer 1:
Challenge Question Answer 2:
Challenge Question Answer 3:
Challenge Question Answer 4:
PAGE 33
Understanding Your Award Letter
After you submit a Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application
for State Financial Aid (WASFA), you will
receive a nancial aid award letter from each
school that accepts you. Every college’s award
letter is a little different, but will summarize the
cost of full-time enrollment for one year plus
your nancial aid package. Find award letter
worksheets to compare your costs, available
aid, including loans, and resources for paying
for college at bit.ly/JrSrWorkbook
Things To Consider When
Comparing Award Letters
Determine your total actual costs.
Remember, colleges do not bill for indirect
costs. When considering what costs you need
to have covered, include the direct and indirect
costs you need. Questions to consider:
• Will you be commuting or traveling to
and from campus a lot? How much do you
anticipate needing for the academic year?
• Can you buy used books or supplies?
Borrow them from the library? Does your
degree program require many textbooks
or supplies? Ask the admissions ofce for
more information if needed.
• What types of personal expenses do you
anticipate having during the year?
Is your aid renewable (meaning can you use
it for more than one year)?
Some scholarships require you to maintain
a certain GPA to make them renewable.
Some grants require that you meet income
requirements each year. Check with the
nancial aid ofce if a specic scholarship,
grant, etc., does not say if it is renewable.
Which aid is best to accept?
If you have nancial aid options, the rule is gift
aid money rst (scholarships and grants), then
earned money (work study), then borrowed
money (federal student loans).
Are you a College Bound student?
Remember, the College Bound Scholarship is
an early commitment of state nancial aid
for eligible students that covers three specic
costs: tuition at public college rates, some fees,
and a small book allowance. The particular
amount will differ at each institution and for
each student, but state nancial aid programs,
such as Washington College Grant, will cover
the costs listed above. You must meet income
eligibility requirements when applying for
nancial aid. It will be determined by the
nancial aid ofce when you apply with the
FAFSA or WASFA. You will also need to meet
the College Bound pledge.
Need help understanding your award letter?
Contact the nancial aid or admissions ofce at
the college with any questions!
PAGE 34
Glossary
• Academic Advising: Helps you understand
the college’s academic systems, choose
and apply to a major and access campus
resources.
• Academic Support: Services on campus that
support academic success, such as tutoring,
advising, etc.
• Accreditation: The ofcial certication that
a school or course has met standards set by
external regulators.
• Admissions Counselors: College
representatives (sometimes called admissions
advisors) who can provide you with
information about the college and review
student applications.
• Advanced Placement (AP): A program that
allows students to take rigorous college-level
courses while still in high school. Students
may earn college credit and/or advanced
placement into upper-level college courses
by taking AP exams. Many colleges and
universities recognize AP courses when making
admissions decisions.
• Application: A form that you must ll out in
order to apply for colleges, scholarships, or
nancial aid.
• Apprenticeship: A program that allows you
to learn a specic skill while you work in the
related eld and earn money.
• Associate’s Degree: This kind of degree
indicates the completion of a two-year college
program. Many students earn an associate’s
degree and then transfer to a 4-year college.
• Award Letter: An offer from a college or
career school that states the type (loans,
institutional aid, grants, scholarships, and
work-study) and amount of nancial aid the
school is willing to provide if you accept
admission and register to take classes at that
school.
• Bachelor’s Degree: This kind of degree
indicates the completion of a four-year
program.
• Cambridge International: A dual-credit
program that allows students the opportunity
to earn high school and college credit
simulataneously.
• Campus: Property that is part of the college,
such as buildings and land.
• Campus Size: This is the number of students
enrolled in the college.
• Certicate: A certicate is awarded to
indicate knowledge of a certain subject or
skill.
• Class Size: This is the average number of
students in a class.
• College: A technical, vocational, 2-year or
4-year private or public college or university.
• College Budget: The amount of money that
you can pay for college expenses.
• College Expenses: The cost for living on
campus, food, books and supplies, personal
expenses, and transportation.
• College Fairs: Events where college and
university representatives provide information
about their school and answer questions. A
fairs is a great way to learn about different
college options.
• Community and Technical Colleges (CTC):
CTCs is the name most commonly used to
describe Washington’s public 2-year colleges.
These schools offer associate’s degrees and
certicates, as well as prepare students
for specic trades. Many students earn an
associate’s degree and then transfer to a
4-year college. Washington state has 34
public CTCs.
• Cost of Attendance (COA): The total amount
it will cost you to go to college each year. This
can include tuition and fees, on-campus room
and board (or a housing and food allowance
for off-campus students), books, supplies, and
PAGE 35
transportation.
• Credits: You typically earn one credit for
successfully completing a single course in
high school. Washington requires students
to complete a minimum number of credits
to graduate. College credit is measured
differently than in high school.
• CTE Dual Credit: Classes that help students
transition from high school into postsecondary
professional technical programs and careers.
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
(DACA): Program to protect eligible
individuals from deportation.
• Degree: A degree indicates the completion of
a two- or four-year program at a college or
university. The two most common degrees are
associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree.
• Disburse: The payment of nancial aid to a
student.
• Extracurricular Activities: Any activity you
do outside of the classroom, such as athletics,
clubs, community service, etc.
• FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student
Aid, the standard form students must complete
to apply for federal and state need-based
assistance/and programs and, in some
circumstances, campus-based assistance/aid.
• Financial Need: Amount calculated by taking
the cost of attendance at a college minus your
expected family contribution as calculated by
the FAFSA or WASFA.
• Federal Loan: A loan is money that you
borrow and must pay back with interest. Loans
made by the federal government, called
federal student loans usually offer borrowers
lower interest rates and have more exible
repayment options than loans from banks or
other private sources.
• Fees: Money you pay to access school
activities, tness centers, libraries, and student
centers. Every college has different fees.
• Fee Waiver: If paying an application or
testing fee would cause a nancial hardship,
you can receive a fee waiver to remove
payment.
• Felony Convictions: (more serious crimes)
conviction records are checked, just like all
pledge requirements, prior to awarding the
College Bound Scholarship to you.
• Financial Aid: Any grant, scholarship, loan,
or work- study (paid employment) offered to
help you meet your college expenses.
• Financial Aid Ofce: Helps you understand
your nancial aid award, provides information
on additional funding resources and helps you
search and apply for scholarships.
• Full-Time Enrollment: To be considered a full-
time student, you must enroll in 12 quarter or
semester credits each term.
• Grade Point Average (GPA): A way to
transfer letter grades into a numerical scale.
The grades received in classes are averaged
together to arrive at one cumulative grade.
You can nd your GPA on your high school
transcript.
• Grants: A form of gift aid, usually based on
nancial need. A grant does not need to be
repaid, unless, for example, you withdraw
from a school and owe a refund.
• High School and Beyond Plan: A tool to
help guide you through high school. Plans are
personalized and designed to help students
think about their future and choose coursework
that prepares them for goals after high school.
It is also a graduation requirement.
• Immigration Status: The legal position of
people who permanently live in a country
without citizenship.
• Income: The amount of money that you earn.
• International Baccalaureate (IB): A program
that offers challenging, rigorous courses of
study. Students who take IB exams have the
chance to earn college credit or advanced
placement, or both, within upper-level college
PAGE 36
courses. Many colleges and universities
recognize IB courses as they make admissions
decisions.
• Internship: An opportunity to work at an
organization or corporation to develop work
experience. Some internships are unpaid, but
some are paid.
• Job Requirements: Certain jobs require
specic education, training, or skills to be
qualied for the position.
• Job Shadow: An opportunity to accompany
a professional to experience what their job is
like.
• Letter of Recommendation: Letters that can
speak to your qualities, characteristics and
capabilities. These letters typically come
from teachers, counselors, community or faith
leaders, employers, and other individuals
outside your family.
• Major: A specic subject that you choose to
commit to studying. A large number of classes
you take may be related to your major.
• Ofcial Transcript: Most colleges require
your high school transcript, which is a student’s
academic record that includes a Registrar’s
signature and the issue date. An ofcial
transcript is delivered in a sealed envelope. If
you have earned college credit, you will also
need to submit your college transcript.
• Online College Portal: Some colleges have
their own website, which you can use to check
admission decisions, nancial aid, grades, etc.
• On-The-Job Training (OTJ): Job training that
is completed in the actual workplace.
• Orientation: Most colleges require new
students to attend an orientation, where
you learn about campus resources and the
registration process and meet your peers.
Some college orientations are in-person,
and others are online. Attend an in-person
orientation if you can! Students may also be
invited to attend a summer transition program
focused on preparing you for your rst
quarter.
• Otterbot: A free texting service created to
support high school seniors who have signed
up for the College Bound Scholarship. Otter
sends nancial aid info and reminders to
College Bound seniors. Students can access
Otterbot via text message 24 hours a day,
seven days a week by texting “Hi Otter” to
360-928-7281.
• Personal Statement: A way for the college to
get to know you and why you are interested
in the school.
• Placement Test: Some colleges will require
you to take a placement test to determine
some of the classes you can take. Based on
this test, you may need to take an entry-
level class before you can take another class
required by your program.
• Priority Deadlines: A date that you need
to le an admissions application or a
nancial aid application to receive priority
consideration.
• Private 2-Year Colleges: These schools tend to
focus on specic trades or vocations and are
not publicly funded.
• Private 4-Year Colleges: These schools offer
bachelor’s and may also offer master’s
degrees but are independent and are not
publicly funded. These colleges or universities
often have smaller class sizes.
• Professor: The common way to address a
teacher in college.
• Professor’s Ofce Hours: Times when
professors are available to answer any
questions you might have about class
• Public 2-Year Colleges: These schools offer
associate’s degrees and certicates, as well
as prepare students for specic trades. Many
students earn an associate’s degree and then
transfer to a 4-year college.
• Public 4-Year Comprehensive Colleges:
PAGE 37
These schools tend to be smaller, more
regionally based, and offer bachelor’s and
master’s degrees.
• Public 4-Year Research Colleges: These
schools engage in extensive research activities
and offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate
degrees.
• Reach: A school that you might not be
accepted to; however, it is still worth applying
to because it’s your dream school.
• Renewable: A scholarship that can be
received for more than one year as long as all
eligibility requirements are met.
• Room and Board: The costs associated with
living on- or off-campus, including meal plans.
• Running Start: A program that provides you
the option of attending certain institutions of
higher education while simultaneously earning
high school and college/university credit.
Students in grades 11 and 12 are allowed to
take college courses at Central Washington
University, Eastern Washington University,
Northwest Indian College, and Washington
State University. Running Start is one way to
earn college credit while in high school.
• Safety: A school where you will denitely get
accepted; however, it is a backup in case the
others don’t work out.
• Salary: The amount of money that you earn
from work. Some jobs pay a xed salary, and
others offer an hourly wage.
• SAT or ACT: Entrance exams are used by
some colleges as a part of the admission
decision. You may need to submit exam scores
online through the testing agency’s website.
• Scholarship: Money awarded to you based
on criteria such as academics, athletics,
community service, or nancial need to help
pay for education expenses. Scholarships
generally do not have to be repaid.
• Selectivity: A measure of how difcult it is
for you to be accepted into a college. This
is measured by the percentage of students
accepted annually. The lower the acceptance
rate, the more selective the school is.
• Service Learning: An opportunity to
participate in community service activities and
then apply the experience to your academic
and personal growth.
• Short Answer Responses: Additional
questions you may need to write an
answer for, focusing on specic concepts
such as diversity, culture, and examples of
persistence/overcoming adversities.
• Solid: A school that you will likely be
accepted to because you are a competitive
applicant.
• State Financial Aid: Financial assistance/aid
programs funded and administered by the
state to help pay college costs.
• State Assessments: English, math, and science
tests taken in high school to assess your
progress in high school.
• Trade: A skilled job, typically one requiring
manual skills and special training, such as
pipe-tter, carpenter, mechanic, or electrician.
• Trade Unions: A labor union that advocates
for members’ rights and also offers
apprenticeship opportunities.
• Transfer: A transfer occurs when you switch
to a different school. Typically, community
colleges offer 2-year degrees with a path to
transfer to a 4-year school.
• Tuition: The price colleges or universities
charge for credits/classes. It pays for things
like the instructor and classroom space. Every
college has different tuition costs.
• Undergraduate: A college student who is
working to obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s
degree.
• Unmet Need: The difference between the cost
of a full year of college and what grants and
scholarships that you are provided. This may
also be referred to as out of pocket expenses
PAGE 38
which is money the student and their family
will be responsible for paying.
• Vocational: Also referred to as a trade
school, these colleges offer specialized
training, skills, or education for specic elds,
such as plumbing, carpentry, etc.
• Wage Gap: The difference between how much
college-educated and less-educated young
professionals earn.
• Washington College Grant: WCG is one of
the most generous nancial aid programs
in the country. Recent high school graduates
and working-age adults from many low- and
middle-income families can qualify to receive
money for college or career training.
• WASFA: Washington Application for State
Financial Aid, the application available to
eligible undocumented students for state
nancial aid such as the Washington College
Grant and the College Bound Scholarship.
PAGE 39
WSECU: Proud Supporter of the 12th Year Campaign
Education Pays
Education is an investment that pays off in the
future. It gives you choices and more control
over the path you choose. Education comes
in many forms, including nancial education.
Knowing the basics about budgeting, saving
and investing, and credit can help you meet
your nancial goals and fulll your dreams.
WSECU’s goal is to arm you with the facts and
information needed to be nancially savvy.
They are committed to giving, sharing, and
supporting communities in Washington. WSECU
is proud to support students in reaching their
aspirations. As a credit union, WSECU is a not-
for-prot nancial cooperative owned by its
members. This local credit union is conveniently
located all across Washington State. Whether
you live, work or go to school in this great
state, you’re welcome to open an account and
become a member.
Smart Option Student Loan
If you’re faced with college expenses not
covered by scholarships and federal loans,
WSECU has partnered with Sallie Mae to
bring you the Smart Option Student Loan®
with great repayment options and competitive
rates for borrowers attending degree-granting
institutions.
Features & Benets
• Multiple repayment options.
• A choice of competitive xed and variable
interest rates.
• No origination fees and no prepayment
penalty.
• Rewards and interest rate reductions are
available.
• Rates that reward credit-worthy
borrowers.
• A credit-worthy cosigner may help you
qualify and/or receive a lower rate.
Scholarships
WSECU focuses on helping its members achieve
their higher education goals. If you’re a
member, you can nd nancial help at WSECU.
Every year, they extend an invitation to their
members who are beginning or continuing their
higher education to apply for a scholarship.
This year, WSECU will award $100,000 in
scholarship funds.
The application period runs annually from
December through February. Recipients are
selected and notied in the spring. WSECU
members of all ages are welcome to apply.
Awards include $1,500 for two-year college/
vocational school. $2,500 for four-year
undergraduate and graduate programs. Learn
more: wsecu.org/scholarships
Financial Tips
• Create a personal budget or spending
plan based on your estimated income and
expenses.
• Keep copies of all your nancial,
insurance, and personal information
(like your birth certicate). Keep these
documents secure or shredded when no
longer needed.
• Research purchases before you buy.
• When you open a checking or savings
account, make sure you know about
withdrawal fees for using the ATM,
overdraft fees, minimum balance
requirements, or other fees you may incur.
• Track spending when using debit cards
and avoid overdraft fees.
• Pay the balance on a credit card every
month.
• Protect yourself from identity theft. Pay
attention to your bank and credit card
statements. Check them for unauthorized
or suspicious activity.
