Financial Aid

CONTACTS

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, see information below).

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. 

Please note that the 2024/2025 FAFSA will not be available until later in the year. It is scheduled to be released in December 2023.

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

Ready Set GradThe 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.

Customer Service Hours and FAFSA/WASFA Assistance

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.

Customer Service Availability for week of 9/25/2023

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. 

Monday

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

Tuesday

  • Virtual via Zoom (link below)
    • 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
    • 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • In-person services at the Financial Aid Office (West Building, W209)
    • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday

  • Virtual via Zoom (link below)
    • 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
    • 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • In-person services at the Financial Aid Office (West Building, W209)
    • 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thursday

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

Friday

  • Virtual via Zoom (link below)
    • 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
    • 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • In-person services at the Financial Aid Office (West Building, W209)
    • 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

Zoom Information

Financial Aid Zoom Link (see hours above)

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.

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.
  • Northwest Education Access (NWEA) 
    • November 14, 2023 (in-person), 10-11:30 a.m., Room T320
    • November 15, 2023 (virtual), 6-7:30 p.m., Via Zoom
    • November 16, 2023 (virtual), 2-3:30 p.m., Via Zoom
    • December 12, 2023 (in-person), 10-11:30 a.m., Room W113
    • December 13, 2023 (virtual), 6-7:30 p.m., Via Zoom
    • December 14, 2023 (virtual), 2-3:30 p.m., Via Zoom

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.

2023-2024 Application - What You Need

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

Financial Aid Application Resources

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.