Through the generous Washington College Grant (WA Grant), eligible College Bound students who fulfill the pledge get free public college tuition, or an equivalent amount for an approved private college or career school. Students must apply for financial aid and attend a participating college in Washington.
This page contains information for students, families, counselors, and anyone interested in the College Bound program.
NEW - Understand the College Bound Program with our Short Animated Videos: Available in English and Spanish, these videos provide clear, accessible information on College Bound, its benefits, and how to leverage this opportunity for post-high school education or training. Use the Video Student Learning Outcomes and Discussion Questions to actively engage your College Bound students.
We've gathered the most important information about the College Bound program to share with our students and families in Washington State. View the tabs below to find out about applying, eligibility, the College Bound pledge, and more.
Students who meet one of the following requirements are automatically enrolled in College Bound:
Some students do not fit into either scenario but are interested in applying for College Bound. Students and families can contact the College Bound program to apply if they meet one of the following criteria:
*Household income must be less than or equal to this amount.
**For each additional household member, add that dollar amount
As a part of the College Bound sign-up process, students pledge to do the following:
Materials for the 2024-25 school year are currently being updated. Please check back soon for updates.
To earn College Bound funding through Washington College Grant, students must do the following:
In order to access College Bound, a family’s income must be at or below the amount in the chart for their household size. This chart changes each year. It is important that students apply for financial aid every year they plan to attend college. Students must also meet the CB Pledge requirements.
| Household size | Annual Income* |
|---|---|
| 1 | $40,500 |
| 2 | $53,000 |
| 3 | $65,500 |
| 4 | $78,500 |
| 5 | $91,000 |
| 6 | $103,500 |
| 7 | $105,500 |
| 8 | $108,000 |
*Household income must be less than or equal to this amount. Note: A CB Scholar could be eligible for College Bound funding for some years, and not eligible for others, if the family’s MFI level exceeded 65 percent in one or more years.
If a student is a homeschooled senior in an approved Washington state program, they need to send extra documents to qualify for College Bound funds because we don't get their transcripts automatically like we do for public school students. They need to send:
Once these documents are received, the request will be reviewed and approved.
If the student is a resident and finished high school in another state, they must meet Washington State residency requirements. They should contact College Bound staff at collegebound@wsac.wa.gov to check their situation.
If a student is a senior at a private school in Washington, they need to send:
Students can send an unofficial copy of their high school transcript and supporting documents in one of the following ways:
The College Bound program provides ample resources and guidance for counselors and practitioners working with College Bound students. In addition to the resources on this page, school and nonprofit organization staff can order free promotional materials to assist students and their families.
School and nonprofit organization staff can use the tools and resources below to inform students and their families about how to maintain eligibility, meet program requirements, and access College Bound. Many resources are available in multiple languages.
College Bound has an online portal called the Toolbox. The Toolbox allows school staff to track College Bound applications, update student information, and see which students have completed the FAFSA (high school access). Email us with your name, title, school, district and office phone number to request access to the secure portal.
RCW 28B.118
The College Bound Scholarship is designed to inspire and encourage Washington middle school students from low-income families to prepare for and pursue postsecondary education. The early commitment of state funding for tuition is intended to alleviate the financial barriers preventing students from considering college as a possibility.
WAC 250-84
Outlines the program parameters, including student identification, eligibility, scholarship award amounts, and the roles of the Agency and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
The Washington College Access Network (WCAN) is the college access arm of the College Success Foundation, with the mission to increase postsecondary enrollment for all Washington State students particularly among students experiencing poverty, first-generation college-going students, and students of color. WCAN is a key partner in supporting College Bound outreach and regional support. The team assists in College Bound training, financial aid completion support, and college access efforts across the state. Visit their website to find regional contacts.
This workbook walks students through how to plan and prepare for college. It is outlined by grade and subject area and available in multiple languages. Visit the 12th Year Campaign site to download these materials or to order hard copies.
