Application Process

Financial aid assistance is available to most students meeting basic eligibility requirements. Due to the number of applicants and the information that must be reviewed in the application process, processing a financial aid application takes several months from the date the aid application is complete, so it's important that you apply as early as possible! Please see the main Financial Aid page for current processing times. 

Please review the following checklist and financial aid information carefully. You are responsible for keeping informed of application procedures and meeting all priority dates when applying.

Financial Aid Checklist

New students must apply for admission into an eligible degree or certificate program. Current students must be pursuing a program that grants a degree or eligible certificate at Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) to receive financial aid.

FAFSA

• To apply for the 2023-2024 academic year (Summer quarter 2023 through Spring quarter 2024) and complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA. you will need your 2021 tax/income information. 
  • The application for 2024-2025 is not published yet, but is scheduled to open late December 2023. More information about this can be found in the FAFSA Simplication Act section on our main Financial Aid page.
• LWTech's federal school code is 005373. It is recommended that you complete a FAFSA application electronically. This is the fastest method, and you will be able to receive your Student Aid Report much quicker.
• Paper FAFSA applications can be obtained online or by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID. Once the federal processor confirms your FAFSA has been processed, you will receive a Student Aid Report at your home address or email address if provided.
• If you have listed Lake Washington Institute of Technology on your FAFSA, LWTech's Financial Aid office will receive your electronic Student Aid Report.
• Non-citizen students unable to file a FAFSA due to immigration status may be eligible to complete a Washington Application for State 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, and signed a residency affidavit in the WASFA application or Enrollment Services office, or
  • DACA status (whether status is current or expired) and meeting Washington State residency requirements
• At the end of the FAFSA, the student (and the dependent student's parent) signs electronically using his or her FSA ID.
  • A student or parent without an FSA ID has the option to apply for a FSA ID, receive it instantly, and immediately use it to sign the FAFSA.
  • If the student or parent chooses not to use an FSA ID to sign, he or she should print, sign, and mail a signature page to the Central Processing System. The student should be sure to submit the FAFSA after printing the signature page.
  • If the student does not sign (either electronically or with a signature page) within 14 days of submitting the application, he or she will receive a Student Aid Report in the mail requesting the appropriate signatures. The student (and parent, if appropriate) must sign the Student Aid Report and return it to the FAFSA processor before the application can be processed and an Expected Family Contribution calculated.

Need help completing your financial aid application? Get more information about our FAFSA/WASFA workshops.

Ability to Benefit

A high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED certificate, is generally required to receive aid; however, students without a high school diploma or GED certificate may receive aid under certain conditions if they meet "Ability to Benefit" requirements. (Examples are passing scores on an ability to benefit test or completion of at least six regular program credits). Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Verification Documentation

If noted on your Student Aid Report that you were selected for verification, you will need to submit a Verification Worksheet. (The office will notify you regarding which Worksheet is required.) You may also need to provide a signed copy of your tax returns (provide the same year's tax return that was required for your application) and all W-2s for yourself, your spouse (if you are married), and your parents (if your parents' information was required on the FAFSA). Some students and parents may be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA website in lieu of providing a Tax Return and W-2s. (The Verification Worksheet is still required.)

The Verification Worksheets are available online. In some cases, additional documentation may be needed due to federal requirements. Contact the Financial Aid office for more information.

Additional Documentation

If noted on your Student Aid Report, you must clarify citizenship, selective service registration, defaulted loan status, etc. The Financial Aid office may also request further documentation.

File Review

• During the file review process, additional information may be needed to determine eligibility. If so, students will be notified by email or letter. It is important that any required information be submitted in a timely manner, as files may not be processed until they are complete. Completed files are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Awards will be based on available funding and the student's eligibility at the time the student's file is complete and correct. 
• Due to federal and state regulations, the Financial Aid office cannot offer any aid until all required forms and documentation are received. If there is conflicting information, or if a student is selected for verification, the necessary documentation needed to resolve the conflicting information or to complete verification must be received before aid can be offered. It is important that students apply as early as possible to avoid any delays in receiving aid.
• TO AVOID DELAYS in processing or notification, students must NOTIFY THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE promptly of any CHANGES in mailing address, phone number or e-mail address.

Check your status

• See our Checking Your Status section on our main Financial Aid page.

Financial Aid Offer Letter

When eligibility and need are determined, the Financial Aid office will attempt to meet the student's need based on the student's enrollment level and available funding. When awarded, students are emailed a financial aid offer letter to their ctcLink preferred email address which indicates the financial aid program and the amount awarded quarter by quarter. It is important that students read all of the information on the financial aid offer letter. Students ineligible to receive grant aid will be notified by email. 

A student has the right to accept or decline any portion of a financial aid offer. If a student wishes to decline or cancel an offered award, they may submit a written statement to the Financial Aid office indicating the award(s) they wish to decline.