Grants and Work-study

What is a grant?

• A grant is gift aid that is generally based on financial need (income-based) and that does not need to be repaid.
• A grant can come from these sources: federal, state, institutional (college, university, career school), private, or nonprofit organizations 
• Basic rules:
  • Grants are tied to “satisfactory academic progress,” meaning you have to maintain certain academic standards.
  • If you withdraw from the school, you may have to repay the grant.

Commonly available federal grants

• Pell Grant
  • Can be used for most schools in most states.
  • Awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree; in some cases, students enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certification program may receive a Federal Pell grant
  • A student who meets certain requirements might be eligible for a larger Pell Grant if his or her parent died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan or in the line of duty as a public safety officer
  • Pell Grant lifetime eligibility is limited to 12 semesters or the equivalent
  • For the 23-24 school year, the maximum amount of money from a Pell grant was  $7,395
  • Apply by filling out a FAFSA

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
  • Awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree
  • Not all school participate in this program
  • Funds depend on availability at the school; check for the school’s deadline
  • For the 23-24 school year, the maximum amount of money from a FSEOG was $4,000
  • Apply by filling out a FAFSA

• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
  • For students whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of performing military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11
  • Must be ineligible for a Pell Grant due to having less financial need than is required to receive Pell Grant funds
  • Must have been younger than 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time at a college or career school at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death
  • For the 23-24 school year, the maximum amount of money from this grant was $7,395
  • Apply by filling out a FAFSA

Commonly available Washington state grants

• Washington College Grant
  • Can be used for most colleges in Washington State.
  • Award amounts vary based on income, family size, and the school or program attended.
  • Depending on eligibility, awards can cover your full tuition cost or partial tuition cost. See the Washington College Grant Eligibility & Awards page for more information.
  • See participating institutions in Washington
  • Apply by filling out a FAFSA or WAFSA

• Explore the Washington State Financial Aid Programs page to find more grants that you may qualify for.
• Explore the financial aid page of colleges or universities you’re interested in applying to.

Applying for grants

• FAFSA or WASFA: If you submitted a FAFSA or WASFA form, any grants and amounts that you’re eligible for would be included.
  • If you submitted a WASFA, you’re eligible for state and institutional aid only, not federal aid

When you may have to repay a grant

Here are some examples of why you might have to repay all or part of a federal grant:

• You withdrew early from the program for which the grant was given to you.
• Your enrollment status changed in a way that reduced your eligibility for your grant (for instance, if you switch from full-time enrollment to part-time, your grant amount will be reduced).
• You received outside scholarships or grants that reduced your need for federal student aid.
• You received Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

Additional learning resources for grants

• Federal Student Aid: Grants

What is a work-study?

• Work-study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses
• Available to part-time and full-time undergraduate, graduate, and professional students
• If you work on campus, you’ll usually work for your school. If you work off campus, your employer will usually be a private nonprofit organization or a public agency, and the work performed must be in the public interest
• At most schools, work-study money cannot be used to cover direct costs (like tuition, on-campus housing, and meal plans), because you must pay those bills before you earn the work-study funds

Types of work-study programs

• Federal Work-Study Program
  • The amount you earn can’t exceed your total Federal Work-Study award. When assigning work hours, your employer or your school’s financial aid office will consider your class schedule and your academic progress.

• Washington State Work-Study Program
  • While awards vary, students generally earn between $2,000 and $5,000 per year.

Applying for work-study

• Apply for aid early if you’re interested. Funds for work-study are limited.
• Check with the financial aid office if the school you’re applying to participates in the federal or Washington State Work-Study Programs
• FAFSA: If you submitted a FAFSA form, any work-study funds that you’re eligible for would be included for institutions you’re applying to nationwide.
• WASFA: If you submitted a WASFA form, any work-study funds that you’re eligible for would be included for institutions you’re applying to statewide