Passport to Careers (Passport to College Promise Scholarship and Passport to Apprenticeship Opportunities)
Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Up to $2,000 a year plus campus support for former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth in college, apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship.
- How much
- up to $2,000 per academic year (Passport to College, 2026-27 maximum); apprenticeship pathway covers program costs
- Who qualifies
- former foster youth (state, tribal or federal unaccompanied refugee minor foster care after age 13) or unaccompanied homeless youth
- Enroll at least half-time in an eligible Washington college or registered (pre-)apprenticeship by your 21st birthday; Washington residency; college track: certificate, associate or first bachelor's degree (not theology), satisfactory academic progress.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- US citizen, eligible noncitizen or DACA; others may qualify with a WA high school diploma/GED, 3+ years' WA residence before it, and an affidavit
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Apply any time Ongoing; FAFSA/WASFA open October 1 each year — apply early; must enroll at least half-time by age 21
- How to apply
- Join by submitting the Passport Consent Form (age 13+), or as a high school senior the Washington ETV application or the FAFSA/WASFA (answering the foster care/homelessness questions)
- File the FAFSA or WASFA every year and tell your college's financial aid office you are a Passport student
- Apprenticeship pathways outside a college apply to WSAC's contracted organization instead of filing a FAFSA/WASFA
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (wsac.wa.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Two pathways. Passport to College Promise Scholarship: a scholarship (2026-27 maximum $2,000) for tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation and some personal expenses, plus designated support staff on campus and priority for Washington College Grant and State Work Study; administered by the college financial aid office. Passport to Apprenticeship Opportunities: helps with tuition, fees, work clothes, boots and tools in registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs, administered by a WSAC-appointed organization or a college. Former foster youth must have been in qualifying (state, tribal or federal refugee) foster care after age 13; unaccompanied homeless youth must have been homeless without a parent/guardian during the prior academic year.
More money from Washington
- Washington College Grant (WA Grant)up to full tuition; 2026-27 maximum $13,203/yr (University of Washington), $5,095 at community and technical colleges; partial awards (60%, 50%, 24.5%, 10%) at higher incomes
- WSOS Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS)$2,500 per year until accepted into the major, then $5,000, $7,500 and $5,000 in the following years
- WA Grant for Apprenticeship (WG-A)up to $2,548 (2026-27 maximum); based on family income, may be prorated
- College Bound (formerly College Bound Scholarship)free public-college tuition when combined with WA Grant; 2026-27 maximum combined awards from $5,595 (community/technical colleges) to $13,703 (University of Washington)
- Opportunity Granttuition and fees for up to 45 credits, plus up to $1,000 for books and supplies
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Idaho, Oregon
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.