12th Year Campaign
Junior/Senior
Student Workbook
How to Apply & Pay for Education
After High School
2
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 the following:
• bit.ly/JrSrWorkbook
Or use the QR Code:
To nd more post-high school pathways and
nancial aid information and resources, visit:
• bit.ly/12thYrStudent
• gearup.wa.gov/students-families
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Student Workbook
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 ...................................................................................................................... 10
Junior Checklist .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Senior Checklist ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
FAQs: Admissions Applications .................................................................................................................................................................. 15
College Counseling Resume ........................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Selection Criteria Chart ............................................................................................................................................................................... 23
College Application Tracking Chart .......................................................................................................................................................... 24
Application Personal Statement & Essay Tips ..........................................................................................................................................25
I Applied. Now What? ................................................................................................................................................................................. 26
How to Apply for Financial Aid .................................................................................................... 27
Information For Undocumented & Other Non-Citizen Students ...........................................................................................................30
Information for Youth in Foster Care ......................................................................................................................................................... 31
Before You Begin Filing the FAFSA... ........................................................................................................................................................ 32
Your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) ....................................................................................................................................................... 33
Understanding Your Award Letter ............................................................................................................................................................. 34
State Financial Aid: Washington College Grant ..................................................................................................................................... 28
College Bound Scholarship ......................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Glossary .......................................................................................................................................... 35
WSECU: Proud Supporter of the 12th Year Campaign .................................................................... 39
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Student Workbook
College & Career Pathways: You Have Options!
After high school, different paths lead
to different types of credentials. You may
need one (or several) of these credentials,
depending on your career interests and goals.
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. Students can continue earning
a bachelor’s degree at some colleges. 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
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Student Workbook
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.
• Visit and research apprenticeship
opportunities as 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 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, 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 will likely 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 “Programs by
County” report 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 with a Licensing/
Certication requirement in Washington State.
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Student Workbook
Technical & Specialty Colleges
If you are a student with a clear career goal
and would like to quickly get into the job
market, 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 elds 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.
For-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 consider.
• 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
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Student Workbook
Military Pathways
Reserve Ofcer 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, and 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, visit Today’s Military website to explore what enlisting means and which branch
you want to pursue.
1. You will need to take the ASVAB exam. 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. You would get
orders within a year if you enrolled in the delayed entry program.
Military Academies
There are ve federal United States service
academies, each with 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 score 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.
Benets of a College Experience through
the Military
ROTC & 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 spouse and 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 spouse and children).
• Guaranteed job placement after successful boot
camp and training experiences.
• Sense of honor, duty, service, patriotism, sought-
after skills, leadership, and experience.
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Student Workbook
Planner
NOTES
TO DO LIST
This workbook will guide you through the
process of applying to a two- or four-year
school.
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!
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Student Workbook
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Student Workbook
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 if
applicable. Free test preparation may
be available at schools, 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 if applicable. Ask your
counselor about taking an SAT subject test.
Ask your counselor about summer
opportunities on college campuses. It
is a great way to discover college life
and 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
visiting colleges near you, including large,
medium-sized, and small campuses.
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
you’re interested in and gather information
about academics, nancial aid, and
campus life.
Think about lining up a summer job or
internship.
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Student Workbook
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 for
scholarships.
Create an FSA ID or WASFA account.
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. Your parent could also
create an FSA ID if you are considered
dependent for nancial aid purposes.
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.
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Student Workbook
Preparing for College: Senior Checklist
August/September
Register for the SAT and/or ACT if
applicable. Your counselor can help you
with fee waivers if needed.
Take a look at some college applications
and consider all the different pieces of
information you will need to compile to
complete them.
Visit your school counselor to ensure
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 needed 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 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.
Remember, you should never pay for
scholarship searches or information.
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Student Workbook
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.
If applicable, ensure testing companies
(ACT/SAT) send your scores directly to
the colleges you apply 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
where you applied. At the end of the
school year, they will need to send your
nal transcripts to the college 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! Don’t slack in the classroom
even if you’ve already submitted most of
your applications. 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 decided,
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 send your nal transcript to your
college.
If a college waitlists you, you want to
attend, visit, call, and write. Ask how to
strengthen your application and clarify
your interest to the admissions ofce.
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Student Workbook
Summer
Summer jobs can help pay some of your
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 can 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 must 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
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Student Workbook
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 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 you are most
interested in, 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 in college, no
matter what you put in this section.
Address:
Can I list a Post Ofce Box?
You must 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
this guide’s undocumented & other non-citizen
students section.
School Information:
If your high school can submit your transcripts
electronically, you 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 through
college course enrollment (Running Start,
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Student Workbook
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 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 Specic 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 applications.
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Student Workbook
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
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Student Workbook
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
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Student Workbook
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) cours-
es with exams, Running Start, College in the High School (CHS), and Career and Technical Educa-
tion (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
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Student Workbook
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
Section 2: Academics/School
Which subjects do you like?
In which subjects have you done the best?
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Student Workbook
•
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 youIn which profession(s) do you see yourself
working?
22
Student Workbook
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.
23
Student Workbook
Selection Criteria Chart
Use this chart to compare different colleges based on the selection criteria that are most important
to you. You should 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 have experienced foster care or unaccompanied homelessness, are
LGBTQ+, or have other unique considerations, please see bit.ly/12thYrStudent
to learn how to nd the right t and best aid possible.
24
Student Workbook
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)
25
Student Workbook
Application Personal Statement & Essay Tips
Choose A Topic That Will Highlight You.
Don’t focus on the great aspects of a particular
college, the dedication it takes to be a doctor,
or the number of extracurricular activities 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 not 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
they think 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 people have
used often. 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;
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.
26
Student Workbook
I Applied. Now What?
Applying is one of the rst steps on your path to attending college. Remember 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 you’ve turned in everything you need for the college to consider you 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 prepare.
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
must 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.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) determines the amount of
aid a student is eligible for. If your SAI 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 SAI will stay the same,
your eligibility for nancial assistance 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) -
STUDENT AID INDEX (SAI) =
NEED FOR FINANCIAL AID
27
Student Workbook
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 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 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 various 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.
28
Student Workbook
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. WA Grant
award amounts vary based on income, family
size, and school or program cost. For example,
in 2023, an eligible student from a family of
four with an income of $64,500 or less per
year would get a total 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 $107,000 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, for
example, in 2023-24 was $11,705— will
cover full tuition at any in-state public college
or university, including community or technical
colleges, approved apprenticeship programs,
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 who are 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.
Students eligible for free and reduced-price
lunch in 7th or 8th grade or newly eligible in
9th grade were automatically enrolled.
29
Student Workbook
What is the student commitment or College Bound Pledge?
• Graduate from a Washington State high school or homeschool program - conrm with your school if
your district requires a certain GPA to graduate. Students must graduate with a cumulative 2.0 GPA
if they plan to attend a four-year public or private college.
• There are no GPA requirements for students who plan to attend a community college or technical
school as of autumn 2023.
• Get accepted to and attend one of the over 65 participating colleges, universities, or programs
within one year of graduating high school.
• Have no felony convictions.
• Be income eligible, as determined by your college, using your FAFSA or WASFA information.
•
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, so 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.unigo.com
• www.scholarships360.org
• www.fastweb.com
• www.scholarships.com
30
Student Workbook
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,
income, nd 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 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
31
Student Workbook
Information for Youth in Foster Care
If you have experienced foster care or
unaccompanied homelessness, 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 you
and your foster family with information about
post-high school education and training
opportunities.
• Extended Foster Care Program. This program
allows you, at age 18, to voluntarily agree
to continue receiving foster care services,
including placement services. At the same
time, 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-Specic 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
to eligible students on a rst-come, rst-served
basis. ETV can help pay 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
32
Student Workbook
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
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 allow 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.
NOTE: Each student needs an FSA ID. If FAFSA
requires parent information, one parent will
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.
Tips For Creating An FSA ID
• Be sure to enter your information
accurately. The Social Security
Administration will verify your information.
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 can 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
you will continue using.
• 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.
• Your FSA ID has to be veried by the
Social Security Administration before
you can use it to apply for nancial
aid. This process can take between 1-3
days.
33
Student Workbook
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 make
an FSA ID using your personal information and
for your 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.
Enter your name exactly as it is listed on your
social security card. Social Security matches are
conrmed within 1 to 3 days. Errors can cause
delays in starting your FAFSA.
Student Information
Email Address
Username
Password
Phone Number
Backup Code
Answers To Challenge Questions
(Answers are case sensitive)
Challenge Question Answer 1:
Challenge Question Answer 2:
Challenge Question Answer 3:
Challenge Question Answer 4:
34
Student Workbook
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 amount will differ at
each institution and for each student, but state
nancial aid programs, such as Washington
College Grant, will cover the abovementioned
costs. 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!
35
Student Workbook
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
36
Student Workbook
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
student aid index 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
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.
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Student Workbook
• 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:
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.
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Student Workbook
• 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 CTCs, 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
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.
39
Student Workbook
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,
investing, and credit can help you meet your
nancial goals and fulll your dreams.
WSECU aims 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 its members
own. This local credit union is conveniently
located all across Washington State. Whether
you live, work, or attend school in this great
state, you can 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 invite 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 a 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.
The 12th Year Campaign is administered by the Washington Student
Achievement Council (WSAC) with support from WSECU.
