Washington financial aid centers on the Washington College Grant (WA Grant). It's guaranteed to anyone who qualifies, with no GPA requirement. A family of four earning $83,500 or less gets a full award, which typically makes public college tuition free: up to $13,203 at the University of Washington in 2026-27. Families of four earning up to $139,500 still get a partial award. You apply by filing the FAFSA or WASFA.
The details below are from the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), which runs the WA Grant and College Bound programs, and each university's own admissions pages.
The WA Grant at a glance
| 2026-27 | |
|---|---|
| Full award, UW | $13,203 |
| Full award, WSU | $12,700 |
| Full award, regional universities | $8,035-$8,804 |
| Full award, community and technical colleges | $5,095 |
| Full award, private nonprofit four-year | $6,476 |
| Full-award income limit (family of four) | $83,500 |
| Any-award income limit (family of four) | $139,500 |
| Apply | FAFSA or WASFA, sent to your college |
Source: Washington Student Achievement Council, WA Grant "How Much Money Can I Get?" (2026-27 tables). Income is from 2024 taxes for 2026-27.
WSAC says half of Washington families qualify. The grant works for full-time and part-time students, and for certificates, job training and apprenticeships as well as degrees. Immigration status doesn't affect eligibility: undocumented Washington residents can apply through the WASFA.
See WA Grant income limits and award amounts for every family size and college.
College Bound: the middle-school promise
Students from families eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 7th or 8th grade (or newly eligible in 9th), and students in foster care, are automatically enrolled in College Bound. If they graduate with at least a 2.0 GPA (for four-year colleges), stay income-eligible, and file the FAFSA or WASFA, College Bound combined with the WA Grant covers public college tuition: up to $13,703 at UW in 2026-27. See College Bound requirements.
Getting in
- University of Washington: applications due Nov. 15. UW's three-year average admit rate is 47% for Washington residents vs. 39% for non-residents.
- Western Washington: guaranteed admission with a 2.75 GPA from any Washington high school, starting with fall 2027 applicants; Early Action Nov. 1.
- Washington State: apply by Jan. 31 for Top Scholars consideration; test scores aren't used.
See UW, WSU and Western admissions for Washington residents and Washington's guaranteed admission program.
What this means for you
- File the FAFSA or WASFA and send it to every Washington college you're considering. That's the entire WA Grant application.
- Check the income table, not a general sense of "too much money": a family of six can earn up to $184,000 and still get some WA Grant.
- Meet your college's priority date, often Jan. 31, for its own aid.
- College Bound student? Keep a 2.0 GPA and apply for aid every year.