On April 27, 2025 Washington State fully passed the Conference Budget, which includes changes that affect funding for several state aid programs.
Federal and institutional funding is not affected by the Washington State budget. For a breakdown of which financial aid programs are state, please visit our Grants and Waivers page.
At a Glance
Most notably for WSU students, the Washington Bridge Grant has been eliminated and the award range for Washington College Grant has changed, with new Median Family Income (MFI) requirements for the highest levels of funding. Passport to College maximum award levels have also been reduced to 2,000 dollars to accommodate the larger pool of qualifying Passport students.
Washington College Grant
Changes to Washington College Grant include:
- New award level requirements (MFI range) resulting in increased eligibility for some WCG students
College Bound
Changes to the College Bound award include:
- Students with Washington G.E.D.’s may now be eligible
- College Bound maximum time frame is changed to 6 years
For a full breakdown of the new state aid eligibility and requirements, please visit the Washington Student Achievement Council’s website. There you will find income-based award charts and further information regarding different Washington grants and how family size affects award levels.
What Does This Mean For Students?
Students receiving state aid may see different numbers than originally expected. If you have received state aid in the past through any of the affected programs, your aid package may have changed from your original award offer. For example, if in previous years you received the $500 Washington Bridge Grant, that award will no longer be available to you this year. College Bound-enrolled students may also be eligible for higher Washington College Grant funding based on the new MFI criteria.
To stay on top of any changes to your financial aid, you can check your current award offer through your myWSU account. Our office will also email you to notify you about any award changes.
Other Reasons Your Aid May Change
There are many factors that can affect your financial aid offer. Even if you are unaffected by these state aid changes, you may still notice changes in your award. For more information on what could cause a change to your aid offer, please visit our FAQ.
Additional Resources
While some students may see their aid increase due to these changes, others may see a decrease. If you are in need of further assistance, please visit our Financial Support Resources page for campus- and state-based resources. Programs like the Student Care Network (Tri-Cities), the Community Action Center (Pullman), and the Spokane Housing Authority (Spokane) are available to students and dedicated to assisting during times of financial stress.
Questions?
Please reach out to our office if you have any questions or concerns about your award package. You can reach us by phone, email, in-person appointment or virtual appointment.