Financial Aid

• For Summer 2024 through Spring 2025, please complete your 2024/2025 financial aid application, if you have not already done so. See information below on which application to complete, and how to apply.
  • The 2025/2026 application is also now available for summer 2025 through spring 2026.
• You can check the status of your award on the LionsLink Student View Login.
• Please check your status before contacting the Financial Aid Office office with any questions.

I Submitted All My Documents

• If you turned in all your documents to the Financial Aid office, you just need to wait for your file to be processed.
• Files are processed in the order students applied. The earlier you turned in your financial aid application, the earlier you will get your award.
• When your aid is processed, it will be visible in LionsLink.
• If more information is needed from you, we will email you at your LionsLink preferred email address. 

Tuition Deferral

• For those who have applied and are waiting to have their financial aid file reviewed, we will automatically defer your tuition payment, as long as you have completed all required checklist items and have met satisfactory progress requirements. If you have received a deferrment, it will appear under the "holds" section in the General Tab in your LionsLink account.
• Please note that a tuition payment hold is not a guarantee of aid eligibility. If found ineligible for aid, or if your aid offer doesn't fully cover the amount due, it is your responsibility to pay the balance owed.
  • For more information about aid eligibility, please see our Financial Aid Policies webpage.

I Am Not Sure if I Submitted All My Documents

If you are not sure that all your documents have been turned in, you can find that information in your LionsLink account.

• How to find Financial Aid Information in LionsLink

Additional Information

• Learn more about Financial Aid by using online resources.
• Financial Aid Policies
• Deadlines and Important Dates
• Financial Aid Literacy
• Forms, including Student Emergency Grant application.

Tip: Need to know terms? Visit the Student Services Glossary page.

What Is It? Why Is It Changing?

The biggest changes in 40 years will be happening in Financial Aid starting the 2024-2025 academic year. Are you ready? This webpage will be updated as the Financial Aid Office prepares for these changes, so you can stay informed about your Financial Aid resources, and the changes ahead.

The FAFSA Simplification Act represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid starting with the 2024-25 award year. Some changes have already gone into effect in prior academic years, but the largest changes are occurring in 2024-25. This includes changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, need analysis, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs. These changes will alter how it looks for students to apply for aid through the FAFSA® form and the methodology for determining what aid students may be eligible for.

What Does This Mean for You?

Your 2024-2025 FAFSA® process will be different, but the Financial Aid Office is here for you! This webpage will keep you updated with the most recent information.

What Is Changing?

• 2024-2025 FAFSA Release Date

  • Usually, October 1^st the new FAFSA® is launched; for 2024-2025, the FAFSA® opened the end of December 2023.

• Changes to the FSA ID

  • All persons whose information is required on the FAFSA will need to create an FSA ID. This includes persons without a social security number.

  • Once you create your FSA ID, it may take up to three business days before you can use it to complete your FAFSA. The personal information you list for your FSA ID is verified during this waiting period.

• Say goodbye to “EFC” (expected family contribution) and hello to “SAI” (student aid index)

  • This number measures the student and/or family's ability to pay for college. The new need analysis formula allows for a potential SAI as low as -1500 and implements a separate eligibility criterion for determining Federal Pell Grants.

• Expanded Access to Federal Pell Grant

  • Expanded eligibility based on family size (not including number in college) and federal poverty level will allow for more students to receive Federal Pell Grants

  • Incarcerated students in federal and state penal facilities may be able to receive Federal Pell Grants

  • Federal Pell Grant lifetime eligibility will be restored to students whose school closed when they were enrolled or if the school is found to have misled the student

• Streamlined FAFSA® Form

  • Fewer questions will be asked, and federal tax data will automatically be transferred from the IRS starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA®

• New Terminology

  • With the 2024-2025 FAFSA® you will see and hear words such as contributor (anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA® like a parent or spouse) and consent (each required contributor will be required to consent to their information being included on the FAFSA®). 

Want More Information?

Watch what Federal Student Aid has to say about FAFSA Simplification in their YouTube video. 

How Can You Prepare?

• See how the FAFSA Simplification changes impact what you may qualify for. Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to see what you may now be eligible for

• Create your FSA ID now to allow time for your information to be verified. This will help you be prepared to complete the FAFSA once it opens. Any contributors (persons whose information must be on your FAFSA) should also create their FSA ID now.

• Complete your 2024/2025 FAFSA or WASFA as soon as possible if you haven't done so already.

Check back here for the most recent updates!

Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)

How Is the WASFA Being Impacted?

• The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) for 2024-2025, was also delayed and is now available.

• This page will be updated with WASFA changes and how state aid is impacted.

• Follow Washington Student Achievement Council's WASFA website as well for additional resources

Resources

• What is the FAFSA Simplification Act by Federal Student Aid
• Better FAFSA Better Future Roadmap
• Key Terms, Definitions, and Systems Related to FAFSA Simplification
• Better FAFSA Better Future Timeline
• Better FAFSA Better Future YouTube Video

• Award information prior to 2022/2023 can still be found at the Student Portal Login.
• You will need your social security number or taxpayer ID number or WASFA ID number to log-in.

The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for people who are non-citizen students unable to file for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

You must meet one of the two criteria listed below:

• Completion of a high school diploma or GED or equivalent, and have lived in Washington State for one year prior to starting classes at LWTech and signed a residency affidavit in the WASFA application or Enrollment Services office and qualify for in-state tuition, or
• DACA (whether status is current or expired) students who meet Washington State residency requirements
  

I don't know if I qualify for WASFA.

Apply for WASFA Today!

Note: if you have completed the FAFSA, you have already applied for federal and state financial aid and do not need to complete the WASFA unless your college asks you to.

LWTech is committed to your success, and we recognize emergencies can sometimes get in the way. In order to keep you on track to graduate, limited emergency funding may be available to registered students who have a current financial emergency (not projected costs for your program).

While emergency funds are available each quarter, the college generally runs out of funds within the first few weeks of each quarter. It is rare that applications in excess of $2,000 are approved.

Apply for an Emergency Grant

For ongoing education expenses, please apply for financial aid whenever possible. Workforce Development (WFD) may provide assistance with tuition, books, advising, and individualized support services for those who qualify.

• Complete the WFD Funding Eligibility Survey-Application to find out more!
• It may also be helpful to explore community resources while you are waiting.

First three days of the quarter

• 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.* in room W209
  • *W209 open until 6 p.m. on Tuesday
• 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.** on Zoom (link below)
  • **Zoom open until 6 p.m. on Wednesday

Using Zoom

Zoom Link (see hours)

• Zoom can be used on a computer, tablet, with the link above.
• You can call in via phone at (253) 215-8782
  • Meeting ID: 880 0714 0958
• Zoom does not require registering for an account.
• Visit Zoom.us/resources or Zoom help and how-tos for more information and help videos. 
• You are not required to have your camera on to participate in the Zoom session.
• Once logged in, please be patient, as we may be assisting others who entered the waiting room ahead of you. Please don't leave the waiting room; otherwise, you will be dropped from the queue and lose your place in line.

Please note: Before you can complete the FAFSA application, each person whose information will be reported on the FAFSA (also known as a "contributor") will each need an established FSA ID to verify identity. For more information, please read more in the FAFSA Simplification Act section above.

What you will need to complete the 2024-2025 application (Summer Quarter 2024 through Spring Quarter 2025):

• 2022 tax return
• 2022 W2s
• Parents' tax information if dependent
• Non-filers may need to report 2022 untaxed income totals; please bring documentation with you
• Students who are permanent residents will need to reference their permanent resident card number

What you will need to complete the 2025-2026 application (Summer Quarter 2025 through Spring Quarter 2026):

• 2023 tax return
• 2023 W2s
• Parents' tax information if dependent
• Non-filers may need to report 2023 untaxed income totals; please bring documentation with you
• Students who are permanent residents will need to reference their permanent resident card number

 There are also many helpful articles and/or videos that can also give you the information you need to complete your application.  

• FAFSA Tips
• How to Fill Out the FAFSA Form
• How to Complete the WASFA