Starting in October, Yakima Valley College will host several virtual financial aid workshops to help students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).

Workshops will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on October 13 and 27, 2021; November 10 and 17, 2021; December 8, 2021; January 12 and 26, 2022; and February 9 and 23, 2022. Volunteers will be available to help answer questions and breakout rooms will be used to review personal information. These workshops are open to the community and free of charge. Preregistration required. Register online for the workshops.

FAFSA: The FAFSA is required to apply for federal financial assistance for higher education. Each year, the U.S. Department of Education provides more than $150 billion in grants, loans and work-study funds to students in need. In addition, many states and colleges use the FAFSA data to determine eligibility for state and institutional aid, and some private financial aid providers may use FAFSA information to determine whether students qualify for their aid.

WASFA: The Washington College Grant expanded eligibility to include low-income, non-citizen students who meet the program’s eligibility requirements and satisfy the following residency criteria:

  • Have graduated from a Washington high school or obtained a GED (or will do so before beginning college),
  • Have lived in Washington for three years prior to, and continuously since, earning the high school diploma or equivalent, and
  • Sign an affidavit to file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States when eligible to apply.

Whether considering a four-year university, community college, or vocational or technical school, these workshops can help students maximize the financial aid they receive. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend with their student. Students may attend alone; however, they will need to have as many of the parent/guardian items as possible.

Each student should have available:

  • Their Social Security number and/or card (if applicable)
  • DACA work authorization number and/or card (if applicable)
  • Driver’s license or state identification card (if applicable)
  • If born after January 1, 1999, bring both their parent(s) and their own 2020 income data (W-2s or year-end pay stub and/or 2020 tax return)
  • If born before January 1999, are married, have dependents they support or are active in or a veteran of the U.S. armed services, bring their 2020 income data (W-2s or 2020 tax return)
  • A valid email address for establishing Federal Student Aid ID (FSA-ID)
  • Their tax return & W-2s if employed in 2020

Parents/guardians should have available:

  • Their own Social Security numbers and/or cards and dates of birth (if applicable)
  • Income tax returns for 2020. If this is not available, students and families can estimate the information using 2021 year-to-date income information
  • A valid email address for establishing Federal Student Aid ID (FSA-ID)

These documents may not be available to all students, but do not let it discourage you from participating. Volunteers will be able to help get your FAFSA or WASFA application started with whatever information you can provide. All information and documents shared with volunteers will be kept private and confidential. Information will only be used to help students and families apply for financial aid.

For more information call YVC’s Financial Aid Office at 509.574.4701 or 509.834.4502; learn more about financial aid available from YVC online.

Some information provided by: http://readysetgrad.org/wasfa, and https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa.