Washington benefits for college students
What Washington students can get beyond financial aid: Basic Food food assistance, Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) health coverage, child care help, phone and internet discounts and tax credits, with each program's own rules and application. Each section links to the full rules.
Checked against official sources October 11, 2026. Some details were still changing when we checked, so confirm on the official page.
Food assistance: Basic Food
Washington's name for SNAP, run by Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). If you are enrolled at least half-time, you need a student exemption to qualify, such as working 20 hours a week, work-study or caring for a young child. If you are enrolled less than half-time, the student rule does not apply and only the regular SNAP rules do. See every exemption →
Washington's rule (WAC 388-482-0005) bars students enrolled at least half-time in higher education unless they meet an exemption: age 17 or younger or 50 or older; unfit to work; paid work averaging 20+ hours a week (or self-employment earning the equivalent at federal minimum wage); approved state or federal work study you expect to work during the term; caring for a dependent age 5 or younger (or 6-11 when adequate child care isn't available); a single full-time student caring for their own child 11 or younger; in WorkFirst or receiving TANF/SFA; or attending school through WIOA/WIA, the Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) program, an approved state or local employment and training program, or Trade Act section 236.
Health coverage: Washington Apple Health (Medicaid)
Washington has expanded Medicaid, so adults with low incomes, students included, can qualify based on income. All your health coverage options →
From Jan. 1, 2027, Apple Health for Adults enrollees must meet new federal work requirements (80 hours a month of work, work program, community service, or a mix, or $580/month income) and renew every 6 months. Enrolling in an educational program at least half-time counts as meeting the requirement.
Child care help: Working Connections Child Care (WCCC)
Going to college or training can count, with limits. Approved activities include: full-time attendance at a community, vocational, technical, or tribal college to earn an associate or vocational degree; part-time attendance at such a college toward an associate or vocational degree while working at least 20 hours a week; high school or equivalency programs (parents 21 or younger); and WorkFirst or BFET plans. The page does not list bachelor's or graduate study at a four-year university. Household income must be below 60% of State Median Income at application.
Apply for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →
Phone and internet: Lifeline
We found no extra state Lifeline discount on Washington's official pages, so the federal discount applies. Who qualifies →
Taxes
Washington's own version of the EITC, paid as a refund by the Department of Revenue to residents who file a federal return and qualify for the federal EITC (or would but file with an ITIN); you must be at least 25 and under 65 or have a qualifying child, and you apply separately to the state.
Working Families Tax Credit · Free state filing · Federal education tax credits → · Free federal filing →
Keep looking
We explain programs; Washington's agencies decide who gets them. Spot something wrong? Tell us.