Washington college grants are led by the Washington College Grant (WA Grant), a need-based state grant run by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) that pays eligible residents at Washington colleges, technical colleges and approved apprenticeships. How much you get depends on your family income and size and on the school you attend. You apply with the FAFSA or, if you cannot or choose not to file the FAFSA, the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
WSAC says applications are open for both the 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years, so a current student and a high school senior can both apply now (WSAC, About Washington College Grant).
Who qualifies for the Washington College Grant
According to WSAC, you must:
- Be a Washington resident.
- Hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
- Meet the income requirements.
- Not already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Owe no repayment on any state financial aid program.
- Have applied to an eligible Washington college, or be an apprentice with an approved sponsor.
- Enroll in a financial-aid-eligible program.
WA Grant is broad by design. WSAC describes it as giving “eligible people more money for more types of education and training beyond high school” (WSAC, Washington College Grant). It is not limited to recent high school graduates, so adult learners returning for a certificate or degree can qualify too.
Washington College Grant income limits for 2026-27
For 2026-27, WSAC uses household income from your 2024 taxes, as reported on the FAFSA or WASFA. Your income and family size place you in one of five award levels, from A (full award) to E (10% of the full award). WSAC’s published 2026-27 chart for the first six family sizes:
| Family size | A: Full award | B: 60% | C: 50% | D: 24.5% | E: 10% (maximum income) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $43,500 | $47,000 | $50,500 | $54,500 | $72,500 |
| 2 | $57,000 | $61,500 | $66,500 | $71,000 | $94,500 |
| 3 | $70,000 | $76,000 | $82,000 | $88,000 | $117,000 |
| 4 | $83,500 | $90,500 | $97,500 | $104,500 | $139,500 |
| 5 | $97,000 | $105,000 | $113,000 | $121,000 | $161,500 |
| 6 | $110,500 | $119,500 | $128,500 | $138,000 | $184,000 |
Source: WSAC, About Washington College Grant, which links a separate 2026-27 chart covering family sizes up to 20. Read the dollar figures as the income for each award level in WSAC’s chart; the E column is the maximum income that still earns an award.
How much the WA Grant pays in 2026-27
The award level from the income chart is then applied to a maximum that depends on where you enroll. WSAC’s 2026-27 maximum annual awards for full-time students include:
| School | A (full) | B (60%) | C (50%) | D (24.5%) | E (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington | $13,203 | $7,992 | $6,602 | $3,235 | $1,320 |
| Washington State University | $12,700 | $7,620 | $6,350 | $3,111 | $1,270 |
| Western Washington University | $8,804 | $5,282 | $4,402 | $2,157 | $880 |
| Community and technical colleges | $5,095 | $3,057 | $2,548 | $1,248 | $510 |
| Non-college-based apprenticeship | $2,548 | $1,529 | $1,274 | $624 | $255 |
WSAC lists every institution type on the same page and notes that actual awards may vary by individual eligibility. Private for-profit institutions show $0 at every level. WSAC also says the $500 Bridge Grants paid from 2021-22 through 2024-25 are no longer available, so ignore older guides that mention them.
Estimating your own award
Because the award depends on three things (income, family size and school), the quickest way to an estimate is WSAC’s WA Grant calculator, linked from the program page. The calculator is an estimate; your college’s financial aid office sets the final amount after reviewing your FAFSA or WASFA.
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FAFSA or WASFA: which to file
Most students should file the FAFSA, because it also qualifies you for the Federal Pell Grant and federal loans. WSAC describes the WASFA as “state financial aid for undocumented individuals and others who choose not to submit a FAFSA.” Do not file both for the same year. Our guide on how to fill out the FAFSA covers each section of the federal form.
Washington College Grant deadlines
WSAC’s program page does not list a single statewide deadline. Instead, each college sets its own priority date, and state grant funds at some colleges are limited. File as early as you can after the application opens, then check your college’s financial aid page for its priority date. Our FAFSA deadlines guide explains why the college date usually matters most.
Your WA Grant checklist
- Confirm you are a Washington resident and do not already hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Gather your 2024 tax information if you are applying for 2026-27; the FAFSA or WASFA tells you which tax year to use for 2027-28.
- Choose the FAFSA or the WASFA, not both.
- List every Washington college you are considering.
- Use the WA Grant calculator to estimate your award level.
- Look up each college’s priority date and file before it.
- Answer any verification requests quickly.
How the WA Grant fits with federal aid
WA Grant is packaged together with the Federal Pell Grant. One federal change to know: for award years beginning on or after July 1, 2026, a student whose non-federal aid equals or exceeds the cost of attendance is not eligible for Pell, according to a June 4, 2026 Federal Student Aid electronic announcement. For most WA Grant recipients this changes nothing, because cost of attendance includes housing, food and books as well as tuition.
Questions families ask about the WA Grant
Do part-time students qualify?
WSAC’s maximum award table is for full-time students, and actual awards vary by individual eligibility. If you plan to enroll part time, ask your college’s aid office how it adjusts the WA Grant for your credit load before you register, so the number on your offer does not surprise you.
Can I use the WA Grant at an apprenticeship?
Yes, if the apprenticeship is approved. WSAC lists “WA Grant for Apprenticeship,” which helps “income-eligible apprentices pay for tuition, fees, and materials,” and its 2026-27 award table includes a separate line for non-college-based apprenticeships. College-based apprenticeships are paid through the college.
What if my family’s income changed after 2024?
The 2026-27 award uses 2024 income, which may not reflect a job loss, divorce or other change since. Ask your college’s financial aid office about a professional judgment review. Bring documents showing the change, such as a layoff notice or recent pay stubs. The office can adjust the information used to calculate your aid, but it is not required to.
Does a private college count?
Private nonprofit colleges appear on WSAC’s institution list with their own maximums. Private for-profit institutions show $0 at every level for 2026-27, so a student choosing a for-profit school should not expect a WA Grant there.
I already have an associate degree. Am I still eligible?
Yes, as long as you do not already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and you meet the other rules. Students transferring from a community college to a university keep their eligibility, and the university’s maximum award applies once they enroll there.
Where to go next
Compare Washington with other states in our guide to state grants for college, and use our free scholarship finder to look for awards that stack on top. WSAC’s Student Financial Assistance team answers WA Grant questions at [email protected] or 888-535-0747, option 3.