There are four main types of Financial Aid funding, Federal, State, Institutional, and Private Scholarships.  Within each category are individual funds, each with their own eligibility requirements, award amounts, and criteria for maintaining eligibility. 

Students can receive financial aid assistance when taking as few as 1 credit, however the majority of financial aid requires at least 6 or more credits, with some grants and scholarships requiring full time enrollment of 12 or more credits. If your plan to enroll at less than full time (12 credits) complete our Enrollment Change notice in the Financial Aid Forms tab to the left.

Below is a list of the most common funds of financial aid available at South Seattle College.  They have been broken up by type, so you have a better understanding of where the money is coming from. Please note most forms of funding require students to be in an eligible program of study pursuing courses towards that program. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for any of these types of funding, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a financial aid coach.

Federal

Federal Financial Aid is determined by the completion of a FAFSA.

Pell Grant

Enrollment Level Range: 1 or more credit
Annual Award Amount Range: $0-$5,920
Need Based Aid: Yes, for low-income students only
Subject to Return of Title IV: Yes

Pell Grants are the foundation of Financial Aid.  It is a need-based grant that only the students with the highest need qualify for.  The Pell Grant is awarded on a complex matrix related to a student’s Cost of Attendance, enrollment level, and Student Aid Index (SAI).

A student’s Pell grant is subject to proration based upon their enrollment and eligibility is determined by the submission of a FAFSA.

FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

Enrollment Level Range: 1 or more credit
Annual Award Amount Range: $0-$900
Need Based Aid: Yes, for students with a 0 SAI and Pell Grant
Subject to Return of Title IV: Yes

This funding is extremely limited and is exhausted quickly. A student’s FSEOG grant is subject to proration based upon their enrollment and eligibility is determined by the submission of a FAFSA.

Federal Work Study

Enrollment Level Range: 6 or more credit
Annual Award Amount Range: $0-$6,000
Need Based Aid: Yes
Subject to Return of Title IV: No but the student must stop work immediately if they drop below 6 credits.

Federal Work Study is often considered the self-help portion of a financial aid offer letter. If a student is eligible for work study, it will reflect on their financial aid offer letter. You may view an updated list of eligible Work Study positions across campus under the tab Work Study Job Listings on the menu on the left.  Students should apply for positions they are interested in and will go through an interview process like any job. If the student is hired, and if Work Study funds are still available, the hiring manager will contact the Financial Aid Office directly.

Direct Student Loans

Enrollment Level Range: 6 or more credit
Annual Award Amount Range: $100-$12,500
Need Based Aid: Yes for Subsidized Loans, No for Unsubsidized Loans
Subject to Return of Title IV: Yes

Direct Student Loans are available at South Seattle College. Students who are not eligible to receive any other types of financial aid are invited to apply for a loan, however all students eligible to receive federal financial aid may apply.

These loans have a low interest rate, and are guaranteed by the US Department of Education, so a student cannot be turned away due to bad credit.  However, students have a lifetime limit of which they can borrow student loans, and South does not encourage any transfer student to borrow loans except under very specific circumstances.

If you would like to learn more about student loans you should Schedule an Appointment to speak with a member of your Financial Aid Team.

State

State financial aid is determined by the submission of a FAFSA or a WASFA. Verify which application aligns with your current status by meeting with a financial aid coach.

Washington College Grant

Enrollment Level Range: 3 or more credit
Annual Award Amount Range: $492-$7,865
Need Based Aid: Yes
May be Subject to Return if Student Drops 100% of Their Quarter Classes

The Washington College Grant is financial aid funding for low-middle class income students. WA Grant is one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country. The amount you receive depends on family size, income, and the cost of your school or program. 

A student’s Washington College grant is subject to proration based upon their enrollment and eligibility is determined by the submission of a FAFSA or WASFA.

Washington Grant-Apprenticeship

Enrollment Level Range: 3 or more credit
Need Based Aid: Yes
Subject to Return if Student Drops 100% of Their Quarter Classes: Yes

WA Grant isn’t only for traditional college students. WA Grant for Apprenticeship includes funding for qualified apprentices in a variety of programs at South and at Georgetown. Eligible apprentices can receive money to cover costs associated with their apprenticeship  program. The Grant requires a specific application found at https://portal.wsac.wa.gov/a/apprentice-application/. 

College Bound

Enrollment Level Range: 3 or more credit
Annual Award Amount: Typically $500
Need Based Aid: Yes
May be Subject to Return if Student Drops 100% of Their Quarter Classes

To qualify for College Bound Scholarships, students had to enroll in the College Bound program in high school and meet certain requirements.

The College Bound Scholarship offers additional funding for those students who qualify for the Washington College Grant.

State Work Study

Enrollment Level Range: 6 or more credit
Annual Award Amount Range: $0-$6,000
Need Based Aid: Yes
Subject to Return of Title IV: No but the student must stop work immediately if they drop below 6 credits.

State Work Study is often considered the self-help portion of a financial aid offer letter. If a student seems eligible for work study it will reflect on their financial aid offer letter, however, please note you must be eligible to work in the US. You may view an updated list of eligible Work Study positions across campus under the tab Work Study Job Listings on the menu on the left.  Students should for positions they are interested in and will go through an interview process like any position. If the student is hired, and if Work Study funds are still available, the hiring manager will contact the Financial Aid Office directly.

Passport to College

Enrollment Level Range: 3 or more credit
Annual Award Amount Range: Generally $666 per quarter up to $2,000
Need Based Aid: Yes
Subject to Return if Student Drops 100% of Their Quarter Classes: Yes

The Passport to Careers program supports former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth prepare for and succeed in college and apprenticeship programs. Students must meet extremely specific guidelines as outlined by the State. Questions regarding your eligibility for this program may be directed to the Financial Aid office.

Private Scholarship

Enrollment Level Range: Varies by Donor
Annual Award Amount Range: Varies by Donor
Need Based Aid: Varies by Donor
Subject to Return if Student Drops 100% of Their Quarter Classes: Varies by Donor

Private or Outside Scholarships are those awarded to a student from an outside organization.  Each donor designates specific eligibility criteria and funding ranges, along with what the student has to do to continue receiving the scholarship.

If no criteria are established by the donor, South will consider the scholarship non-need based, but will return any amount over the Cost of Attendance to the donor.  South will award the scholarship at any enrollment level, but will divide the scholarship evenly between all quarters the student attended for the year.  

Explore scholarships opportunites by visiting the Scholarships Tab on the left.