How to Apply for Aid
The U.S. Department of Education governs eligibility, conditions, and terms for federal grants, student loans, and federal work study. The State of Washington governs eligibility, conditions, and terms for state grants and state work study.
To get started in the application process for grants, student loans or work study, you must fill out a financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA). The application is the first step in determining your aid eligibility.
If you are a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are a WA state resident, and ineligible for federal aid because of immigration status, complete the (free) Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). If you are unsure about which application to complete, view this questionnaire and you will be directed to the appropriate application for you.
Once you have completed and the school receives your FAFSA/WASFA record and you have applied for and been admitted to the college, additional documents and information may be requested before the financial aid office will determine your eligibility for aid. If it is determined that you are not eligible for grants, or if you receive a grant but it does not cover your estimated college costs, you can then apply for a student loan. The loan amount that you are eligible for may be reduced by the amount of any additional funds you receive.
|
How to Do It |
1. Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the financial aid priority deadline (see the Academic Calendar). If you miss the annual priority deadline, you can still apply, but see Eligibility and Conditions. Grants (except Pell Grants), are awarded only as long as funds are available each year. See Grants. |
Go to the FAFSA website and follow the instructions. Use the Cascadia school code: 034835. To apply for an Opportunity Grant, see Grants. If you know that you will not qualify for a grant, go on to step 5, below, as soon as you fill out the FAFSA. |
2. Once you have completed and the school receives your FAFSA/WAFSA record and you have applied for and been admitted to the college, additional documents and information may be requested before the financial aid office determines your eligibility for aid. Check your ctcLink account for additional documents to submit.
|
If you are awarded a grant or other type of financial aid, Cascadia will: E-mail you an award notification. You can then check the status of your award at your ctcLink account.
|