Financial Aid
We are again open to serve students in person on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only. We're also available Mondays and Thursdays remotely. Please see our hours of availability below.
Financial Aid Applications Processing Time
Files are reviewed in order that they are complete. The file completion date is the date the application was submitted, as long as all required paperwork was submitted within three weeks of notification. If required paperwork is submitted after the three-week window, the file completion date is the date the last required document was received. For 2021-2022, we are currently processing files for currently registered students who completed their files in October, November, and December 2020. For those registered for Fall quarter and who have a complete file, we will be offering a payment deferral for tuition. Please check your LWTech email for this letter and contact us if you have questions.
Check Your Application Status
Please check the status of your award at the Student Portal Login before attempting to contact the office with any questions. You will need your social security number or taxpayer ID number or WAFSA ID number to log-in.
Emergency Grant Applications Processing Time
Currently, emergency grants applications are taking an average of 1 week to process.
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).
Virtual Financial Aid Lobby via Zoom
Current and prospective students will have the opportunity to speak with a Financial Aid Specialist without an appointment during virtual drop-in Lobby Hours held on Zoom. This is designed for questions that can be addressed in 15 minutes or less. Examples of questions appropriate for Zoom sessions are as follows:
- Help with navigating our webpage or companion webpages (i.e., Studentaid.gov)
- Assistance or clarification on completing forms
- Single item FAFSA or WASFA help (please note that due to the length of the FAFSA/WASFA application, we are unable to assist with the entire application process).
For current students, please view the How to Use the Financial aid Student Portal video before joining a Zoom session.
Customer Service Hours
Mondays:
- Phones from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Zoom from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesdays:
- We are open to see you in person at our office from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (no phone availability)
Wednesdays:
- We are open to see you in person at our office from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (no phone availability)
- Zoom from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursdays:
- Zoom from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Phones from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- No customer service available from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. due to weekly department staff meeting
Fridays:
- Customer service not available on Fridays due to preparation for LionsLink
Zoom Information
Using Zoom
- Zoom can be used on a computer, tablet, or smartphone or you can call in.
- Zoom does not require registering for an account.
- Visit Zoom.us/resources or Zoom help and how-tos for more information and help videos.
Apply 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, 2020 for attending during the 2021-2022 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.
Supporting Documentation
If a Financial Aid staff member asked for additional paperwork to process your application, you can submit that documentation here. You will be asked to login using your LWTech email and password.
Email Notifications
Financial Aid sends notices and communications by email to your LWTech e-mail address. If you want to opt out of electronic communications, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Workshops
FAFSA/WASFA Online Workshop
PLEASE NOTE: While we are operating remotely, we will be unable to have the FAFSA/WASFA workshops. Workshops will resume after we reopen. More information will be posted as soon as possible. Meanwhile, if you need assistance with your financial aid application, feel free to contact us by phone or email. You can also contact the Federal Processing Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID for help with the FAFSA, or the Washington Student Achievement Council at (360) 753-7800 for help with the WASFA.
2021-22 Application - What You Need
2021 Summer Quarter through 2022 Spring Quarter:
- 2019 tax return
- 2019 W2s
- Parents' tax information if dependent
- Non-filers may need to report 2019 untaxed income totals; please bring documentation with you
- Students who are permanent residents will need to bring their permanent resident card.
Non-citizen students unable to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), due to immigration status may be eligible to complete a Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) if they 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
Readysetgrad.org is a project of the Washington Student Achievement Council. For more on financial aid and college readiness, visit readysetgrad.org, your resource to find, pay for, and complete the educational path that’s right for you.
Financial Aid FAQs
Please refer to the Aid Disbursement for more information.
If your projected income for last year will be substantially reduced as compared to your income from the previous year, you may submit a Request for Reevaluation for the current academic year, along with supporting documentation noted on the form.
The federal government and the Department of Education determine the process used to calculate a student's eligibility. The student's and their spouse's income (or parent's income, if the student is considered a dependent student by federal guidelines) from 2019 (for the 2021/2020 year) is used as the basis for determining a student's "EFC" or Expected Family Contribution. This figure helps determine the need and amount of aid a student may receive. If a student feels their financial circumstances have changed significantly from the preceding year (i.e. loss of job, etc.) the student should contact the Financial Aid office.
Tax Credit Eligibility
The federal government allows you to claim tax credits for certain educational expenses through programs known as the Lifetime Learning tax credit and the American Opportunity tax credit. After the end of each tax year, Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) sends the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form 1098-T to students who may qualify for federal tax credits. The form lists out-of-pocket tuition and related expenses.
It is the responsibility of the student or other taxpayer to determine actual eligibility for tax credits.
As a college, we cannot provide you with tax advice. You may wish to find out if you might be eligible by reading information on these websites:
- IRS Frequently Asked Questions for Child Care Credit/other Credits
- IRS Frequently Asked Tax Questions and Answers
- IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education
You may also wish to consult the IRS or a tax accountant for help. Your own check receipts, credit card statements, or copies of receipts showing tuition and fees paid at the time you registered may support your claim.
Verifying the Amount of Your Qualifying Expenses
You can view your IRS form 1098-T statement [student ID and PIN required] online starting at the end of January each year.
However, the form that is printed and mailed to you may not reflect up-to-date information on student loans or other data.
Therefore, we strongly encourage you to double-check the dollar amount on the 1098-T form.
Some students may be eligible for emergency funding if an unexpected circumstance or event financially makes it difficult to attend classes. Please visit the Financial Aid form webpage to apply.
