Passport to Careers supports young people who have experienced foster care or unaccompanied homelessness. Washington combines financial help with guidance: one path leads to college or a certificate, while another supports registered pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship. It is not a general low-income grant; eligibility depends on foster-care or housing history and state residency rules.
The Passport to College path can help with tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, and some personal expenses. The published 2026–27 maximum is $2,000 and is coordinated with Washington College Grant, work-study, and other aid; the college verifies the final amount and may adjust it based on remaining need.
Age matters: the guide requires enrollment at least half-time at an eligible institution or apprenticeship before age 21, with additional continuation rules depending on the pathway. College students must pursue a certificate, associate degree, or first bachelor’s and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Check the separate former-foster-youth and homelessness criteria; they are not identical.
To start, submit the Passport consent form and the relevant verification for your circumstances; some high-school seniors can use the ETV application or FAFSA/WASFA to document eligibility. Then tell the campus financial-aid office: eligibility may not appear automatically on your bill. The program offers dedicated support at 888-535-0747, option 3.
Before accepting, request an individual estimate showing aid applied first, residual tuition, mandatory fees, and indirect costs. Confirm residency, credits, renewal, deadlines, and documents with the official program office; keep a copy and submission confirmation. If your situation is unclear, get a written answer from the campus before committing to tuition or housing.
Read the program profile and official FAFSA guide; ask the college for an individual balance review.
About Passport to Careers — Washington Student Achievement Council.
Applying to Passport to Careers — Washington Student Achievement Council.
Checked October 13, 2026 against official sources. Eligibility, award amounts, funding, and dates can change by year and budget. A scholarship may cover only tuition or specified fees, not housing, meals, books, or transportation. File the FAFSA when applicable, confirm your balance with the financial-aid office, and do not pay third parties to apply.
Compare net cost and excluded charges before committing; the financial-aid office confirms eligibility and the final balance.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Washington Passport to Careers
Passport to Careers supports young people who have experienced foster care or unaccompanied homelessness. Washington combines financial help with guidance: one path leads to college or a certificate, while another supports registered pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship. It is not a general low-income grant; eligibility depends on foster-care or housing history and state residency rules. The Passport to College path can help with tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation,
College financial-aid program
Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education
The agency sets rates, eligibility, and caps; the college certifies need, cost, and the individual amount within those limits.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Washington Student Achievement Council · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Washington Student Achievement Council · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Washington Student Achievement Council · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Washington Passport to Careers ↗
Primary source
Washington Student Achievement Council · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.