What is the College Bound Scholarship?
https://readysetgrad.wa.gov/college/College-Bound-Scholarship
In 2007 the Washington State Legislature established the College Bound Scholarship. This program was created to provide state financial aid to low-income students who may not consider college a possibility due to the cost. The scholarship covers tuition (at comparable public college rates), some fees, and a small book allowance.
Eligibility for the scholarship is a two-part process. Students in 7th or 8th grade whose family meets the income requirements must submit and complete an application by June 30 of the student’s 8th-grade year. Then students must meet the College Bound Pledge requirements and income-eligibility as determined by the student’s financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA) in their senior year of high school.
In the years since the program’s inception, over 280,000 students have applied for the scholarship. Three-quarters of the students who signed up for the College Bound Scholarship by the end of their 8th-grade year in 2011 graduated from high school in 2015. In comparison, the 2015 four-year graduation rate for low-income students who were eligible for the program but didn’t sign up was 62 percent.
Note: Foster youth in grades 7–12 (up to age 21) who have not graduated from high school are automatically enrolled. They are considered to have a complete application for the College Bound Scholarship via a data exchange between the Washington Student Achievement Council and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
FAQs about the College Bound Scholarship
1. What are the College Bound Scholarship requirements?
- As part of the College Bound sign-up process, you pledge to:
Graduate from a Washington State high school with a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher.
Have no felony convictions.
Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) beginning your senior year of high school.
- In order to receive the scholarship, you must fulfill the pledge and:
- Be determined as income-eligible by your college with the information from your FAFSA or WASFA.
- Start attending college within one year of graduating from high school.
- In order to receive College Bound funds, you must attend an eligible college at www.readysetgrad.org/eligibleinstitutions
- Meet the program’s state residency standards for College Bound.
2. Do I have to graduate with my high school class to receive the College Bound Scholarship?
No. You may graduate earlier or later than your original high school class, but you must graduate. However, a GED may qualify if you were in foster care at any point between 7th grade and age 21. Please contact the College Bound Scholarship program staff to discuss your specific situation.
3. I am a Running Start student. I will receive my high school diploma from the college where I am taking classes. Do I meet the graduation requirement?
Yes. However, you will need to provide WSAC with a transcript to confirm that you have met the graduation requirement.
4. Do I have to enroll in college right after I graduate from high school to receive the scholarship?
No. However, you must start college no later than the fall term (as defined by the college) one academic year following high school graduation. For example, if you graduate high school by August 2019, you have until fall 2020 to enroll and earn college credit or have financial aid disbursed to you, whichever comes first. Be sure you meet all the college’s deadlines for class registration and financial aid to complete enrollment.
5. What are the income requirements to use the College Bound Scholarship?
College Bound Scholarship Family Income Eligibility Chart (2019-20) from Website. Family size & Annual income* (Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) + Nontaxable Income)
Family Size Gross Income
1 $32,500
2 $43,000
3 $53,000
4 $63,000
5 $73,000
6 $83,000
7 $85,000
8 $87,000
9 $88,500
10 $90,500
6. How do I know if I applied in Middle School and may be able to use the College Bound Scholarship?
Contact your School Counselor Jen Jennings and she can look it up for you.
jjennings@gfalls.wednet.edu
360-283-4014
