Students who are residents of Washington state may qualify for additional need-based financial aid. To be considered a resident of Washington for this purpose, a student must have begun living in the state at least one calendar-year prior to their first day of attendance at any WA institution of higher education and must provide documentation to confirm they meet residency criteria.
Exceptions exist for specific circumstances, contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
Eligibility for WA Student Financial Aid requires students to complete the FAFSA. Students who are WA State residents but are not eligible to complete a FAFSA may still qualify and should complete the WASFA Application. For a full list of eligibility requirements and detailed information about the programs below, visit digipen.edu/financial-aid.
Washington State College Grant Program (WSCG)
The Washington State College Grant helps the state’s lowest-income undergraduate students pursue degrees, hone their skills, or retrain for new careers. Like the Pell Grant, this grant is dependent on the student’s financial need. All eligible students who complete the FAFSA will be considered for this grant.
College Bound Scholarship
Students may use a Washington State College Bound Scholarship at DigiPen, if they applied for it in grades 7 and 8 and high school. The scholarship amount is predetermined by the state.
Opportunity Grant (Washington State)
The Opportunity Grant helps low-income adults reach the educational tipping point and beyond in high-wage, high-demand careers. This grant can be applied to tuition, fees, and allows a reimbursement of up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies. To qualify for this one-time grant, students must demonstrate financial need based on their FAFSA and submit a separate Opportunity Grant application. Funds are limited and eligible students are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Assistance from Other States
There may be state grant availability to students who are residents of other states. Please check your state’s local authorizing agency.