Financial Aid

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The Financial Aid office helps students seeking financial assistance meet their educational expenses at LWTech. Students need not be low-income to qualify for some types of financial assistance. Students may apply for most types of financial aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid). Which application is the correct one for me?

Financial Aid Applications Status and Processing Times

Currently, emergency grants applications are taking an average of two weeks to process. Learn more about emergency grants below.

  • For Summer 2023 through Spring 2024, please complete your 2023/2024 financial aid application, if you have not already done so. See information below on which application to complete, and how to apply.
  • You can check the status of your 2023/2024 award on the LionsLink Student View Login.
  • Please check your status before contacting the Financial Aid Office office with any questions.

I Submitted All My Documents

  • If you turned in all your documents to the Financial Aid office, you just need to wait for your file to be processed.
  • Files are processed in the order students applied. The earlier you turned in your financial aid application, the earlier you will get your award.
  • When your aid is processed, it will be visible in LionsLink.
  • If more information is needed from you, we will email you at your LionsLink preferred email address. 
Tuition Deferral
  • For those who have applied and are waiting to have their financial aid file reviewed, we will automatically defer your tuition payment, as long as you have completed all required checklist items and have met satisfactory progress requirements. There will no longer be a form you need to sign.
  • Please note that a payment deferral is not a guarantee of aid eligibility. If found ineligible for aid, or if your aid offer doesn't fully cover the amount due, it is your responsibility to pay the balance owed.

I Am Not Sure if I Submitted All My Documents

If you are not sure that all your documents have been turned in, you can find that information in your LionsLink account.

Additional Information

Tip: Need to know terms? Visit the Student Services Glossary page.

What Is It? Why Is It Changing?

The biggest changes in 40 years will be happening in Financial Aid starting the 2024-2025 academic year. Are you ready? This webpage will be updated as the Financial Aid Office prepares for these changes, so you can stay informed about your Financial Aid resources, and the changes ahead.

The FAFSA Simplification Act represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid starting with the 2024-25 award year. Some changes have already gone into effect in prior academic years, but the largest changes are occurring in 2024-25. This includes changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, need analysis, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs. These changes will alter how it looks for students to apply for aid through the FAFSA® form and the methodology for determining what aid students may be eligible for.

What Does This Mean for You?

Your 2024-2025 FAFSA® process will be different, but the Financial Aid Office is here for you! This webpage will keep you updated with the most recent information.

What Is Changing?

  • 2024-2025 FAFSA Release Date

    • Usually, October 1st the new FAFSA® is launched; for 2024-2025, the FAFSA® opened the end of December 2023.

  • Changes to the FSA ID

    • All persons whose information is required on the FAFSA will need to create an FSA ID. This includes persons without a social security number.

    • Once you create your FSA ID, it may take up to three business days before you can use it to complete your FAFSA. The personal information you list for your FSA ID is verified during this waiting period.

  • Say goodbye to “EFC” (expected family contribution) and hello to “SAI” (student aid index)

    • This number measures the student and/or family's ability to pay for college. The new need analysis formula allows for a potential SAI as low as -1500 and implements a separate eligibility criterion for determining Federal Pell Grants.

  • Expanded Access to Federal Pell Grant

    • Expanded eligibility based on family size (not including number in college) and federal poverty level will allow for more students to receive Federal Pell Grants

    • Incarcerated students in federal and state penal facilities may be able to receive Federal Pell Grants

    • Federal Pell Grant lifetime eligibility will be restored to students whose school closed when they were enrolled or if the school is found to have misled the student

  • Streamlined FAFSA® Form

    • Fewer questions will be asked, and federal tax data will automatically be transferred from the IRS starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA®

  • New Terminology

    • With the 2024-2025 FAFSA® you will see and hear words such as contributor (anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA® like a parent or spouse) and consent (each required contributor will be required to consent to their information being included on the FAFSA®). 

Want More Information?

Watch what Federal Student Aid has to say about FAFSA Simplification in their YouTube video. 

How Can You Prepare?

  • See how the FAFSA Simplification changes impact what you may qualify for. Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to see what you may now be eligible for

  • Create your FSA ID now to allow time for your information to be verified. This will help you be prepared to complete the FAFSA once it opens. Any contributors (persons whose information must be on your FAFSA) should also create their FSA ID now.

  • Complete your 2024/2025 FAFSA or WASFA as soon as possible if you haven't done so already.

Check back here for the most recent updates!

Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)

How Is the WASFA Being Impacted?

  • The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) for 2024-2025, was also delayed and is now available.

  • This page will be updated with WASFA changes and how state aid is impacted.

  • Follow Washington Student Achievement Council's WASFA website as well for additional resources

Resources

  • Award information prior to 2022/2023 can still be found at the Student Portal Login.
  • You will need your social security number or taxpayer ID number or WASFA ID number to log-in.

 

Apply for Financial Aid Early

Because the FAFSA must be submitted each academic year (summer through spring), it is advised that students apply as soon as possible after October 1, before the year they will be attending LWTech (for example, October 1, 2022 for attending during the 2023-2024 academic year). The Application Process page has detailed information on how to apply for financial aid. 

Apply by or before the priority deadline date for the quarter you wish to attend.

See above for current processing times.

FAFSA Application

 

Additional Financial Aid Forms

The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for people who are non-citizen students unable to file for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

You must meet one of the two criteria listed below:

  • Completion of a high school diploma or GED or equivalent, and have lived in Washington State for one year prior to starting classes at LWTech and signed a residency affidavit in the WASFA application or Enrollment Services office and qualify for in-state tuition, or
  • DACA (whether status is current or expired) students who meet Washington State residency requirements

I don't know if I qualify for WASFA.

Apply for WASFA Today!

Note: if you have completed the FAFSA, you have already applied for federal and state financial aid and do not need to complete the WASFA unless your college asks you to.

LWTech is committed to your success, and we recognize emergencies can sometimes get in the way. In order to keep you on track to graduate, limited emergency funding may be available to registered students who have a current financial emergency (not projected costs for your program).

While emergency funds are available each quarter, the college generally runs out of funds within the first few weeks of each quarter. It is rare that applications in excess of $2,000 are approved.

Apply for an Emergency Grant

For ongoing education expenses, please apply for financial aid whenever possible. Workforce Development (WFD) may provide assistance with tuition, books, advising, and individualized support services for those who qualify.

 

Office Hours

Please check the status of your 2023/2024 award on the LionsLink Student View Login before attempting to contact the office with any questions. How-to-Training Guides can help you navigate LionsLink and view your financial aid status in our new system.

Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays

9 am – 4:30 pm in W209​

9 am – 11 am, 2 pm – 4 pm on Zoom (online or phone)​ 

Tuesdays

  • 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.* in W209
    • On the day before a holiday, the office closes at 4:30.
  • 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Zoom (link below)

Wednesdays

  • 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in W209
  • 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Zoom (link below)

Monday - Friday

  • Available by email (see message below)
    • 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Email

  • You may email financialaid@lwtech.edu with your question and we will respond to your question during business hours in the order in which it was received. We appreciate your patience during peak times as our response time may be delayed.
  • Please do not send duplicate messages as that may delay response times and slow down the processing time for financial aid awards.
  • Documents received will be posted within 5-7 business days; there is no need to email us to confirm receipt of documents.
  • For security and privacy reasons, we will only respond to e-mails that are from your preferred ctcLink e-mail address or your LWTech email address. There is no need to include your SID or SSN. 

First three days of the quarter

  • 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.* in W209
    • *W209 open until 6 p.m. on Tuesday
  • 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.** on Zoom (link below)
    • **Zoom open until 6 p.m. on Wednesday

Using Zoom

  • Zoom can be used on a computer, tablet, with the link above.
  • You can call in via phone at (253) 215-8782
  • Meeting ID: 880 0714 0958
  • Zoom does not require registering for an account.
  • Visit Zoom.us/resources or Zoom help and how-tos for more information and help videos. 
  • You are not required to have your camera on to participate in the Zoom session.
  • Once logged in, please be patient, as we may be assisting others who entered the waiting room ahead of you. Please don't leave the waiting room; otherwise, you will be dropped from the queue and lose your place in line.

 

FAFSA/WASFA Assistance

There are a few ways to receive assistance with your financial aid application:

  • The Financial Aid team can help you with your FAFSA or WASFA on Zoom on Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
  • Financial Aid Info Session and Completion Events
    • Presented by Northwest Education Access (NWEA), one of LWTech's community partners.
    • Contact Dafne Moreno for more info!
    • Support offered in English and Spanish.
    • NWEA can assist you with your financial aid application at events scheduled throughout the quarter. Stay tuned for more times during Spring 2024!
      • In-Person Sessions:
        • Tuesday, May 7th and June 11th, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 
          • Location: TBD
      • Virtual Follow-up Session:
        • Thursday, May 9th and June 13th, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    • Agenda Includes
      • Financial Aid Overview
      • FAFSA/WAFSA Walkthrough and Individual Support
      • Troubleshoot any challenges
      • Answering your questions

Meanwhile, if you need assistance with your financial aid application, feel free to contact the Federal Processing Center at (800) 4-FED-AID for help with the FAFSA, or the Washington Student Achievement Council at (360) 753-7800 for help with the WASFA.

Please note, that you only need to fill out one application (FAFSA or WASFA), not both.

Summer Quarter 2023 through Spring Quarter 2024:

  • 2021 tax return
  • 2021 W2s
  • Parents' tax information if dependent
  • Non-filers may need to report 2021 untaxed income totals; please bring documentation with you
  • Students who are permanent residents will need to reference their permanent resident card number

Please note: Before you can complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA application, each person whose information will be reported on the FAFSA (also known as a "contributor") will each need an established FSA ID to verify identity. For more information, please read more in the FAFSA Simplification Act section above.

Summer Quarter 2024 through Spring Quarter 2025:

  • 2022 tax return
  • 2022 W2s
  • Parents' tax information if dependent
  • Non-filers may need to report 2022 untaxed income totals; please bring documentation with you
  • Students who are permanent residents will need to reference their permanent resident card number

 There are also many helpful articles and/or videos that can also give you the information you need to complete your application.  

 

Email Notifications

Financial Aid sends notices and communications by email to your preferred e-mail address in LionsLink. If you want to opt out of electronic communications, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Financial Aid Office Information