Types of Financial Aid

Everett Community College offers a variety of financial aid options to help you pay for college, including but not limited to grants, scholarships, loans, work study and AmeriCorps awards.

What's the difference between scholarships and grants?

Both scholarships and grants are forms of gift aid, which is money for college that does not need to be earned or repaid. Although people often use the terms scholarships and grants interchangeably, there are important differences.

  • Grants, like the Federal Pell Grant, are usually awarded based on the student’s demonstrated financial need. Such need-based grants are usually awarded by the federal government, state governments and colleges and universities. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards to receive grant aid.
  • Scholarships are usually awarded based on merit, such as academic, athletic or artistic talent. Some scholarships may involve a need-based component, such as the Gates Millennium Scholars program, but the predominant selection criteria are merit-based. Private scholarships are usually awarded by private foundations, community foundations, philanthropists, unions, non-profit organizations and for-profit corporations. Each of these organizations may have their own requirements to establish "need" or academic progress requirements.

Grants 

Eligibility for grants depends on financial need as determined by your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) which is calculated by completing the FAFSA. Award amounts are also determined by financial need. Grants are applied directly to tuition, and may or may not be enough to cover your tuition. Check you Awards in the Financial Aid Portal to verify your total grant aid. If you need funds to cover books and other expenses, you may want to consider applying for federal student loans.

Grants and waivers are awarded to eligible Everett Community College students based on a determination of financial need, after a complete review of your financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA). Award Letter Notifications are emailed to the address you reported on your FAFSA or WASFA. 

  • Grants do not need to be repaid, providing you complete your classes. Funds can come from Everett Community College, the State of Washington, or the federal government.
  • Waivers are discounts applied directly to your tuition. Your total amount of waivers and tuition-specific aid cannot exceed the amount you have been charged for tuition.

Upon being admitted to Everett Community College and successfully completing your FAFSA (or the WASFA, for undocumented students), you will automatically be considered for the grants and waivers administered by the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Grants:
EvCC participates in the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant programs. Resident and non-resident may qualify for these federal grants. These grants are considered “gift aid” and do not require repayment, providing that you complete your courses. Eligibility for these grants is determined by the Financial Aid Office after you have completed the financial aid application process. Note: you may be required to repay a portion or all of the Pell Grant funds disbursed to you if your enrollment level drops by the 10th day of the quarter census, referred to as the Pell Recalculation Date.

Federal Pell Grant (FPELL): Awarded based on financial need to eligible undergraduate students (those who have not earned a bachelor's degree or graduate degree). This is the largest federal student grant program. Eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Financial Aid Office. Students may receive the Pell Grant for a maximum of three (3) full-time (12 credits or more) quarters per academic year (students attending summer quarter may qualify for an additional quarter of Pell Grant). The grant is prorated for less than full-time enrollment. The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds you may receive over your lifetime is limited by federal law to the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant Funding. Once you reach 600% Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU), you will not be eligible for Pell Grant. 

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG):  Awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need—those with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) numbers. Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority for FSEOG awards. The amount of the award is determined by the Financial Aid Office. Unlike Pell Grants, the amount of FSEOG you receive depends not only on your financial need but also on the amount of other aid you get and the availability of funds.

State Grants:
The Washington College Grant (WCG) is another form of “gift aid” that doesn’t have to be repaid, providing you complete your courses.  This grant is available to you if you’re a Washington State resident with high financial need, enrolled in a minimum of 3 credits, and if funds are available. Eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office after you’ve completed the financial aid application process. Funds are awarded to eligible Washington State residents up to the cost of tuition. Eligibility is limited to a maximum of 15 full-time quarters or 10 semesters.        

College Bound Scholarship (CBS) is another form of “gift aid” that does not have to be repaid, providing you complete your courses.  The scholarship is available to students who sign up in the 7th or 8th grade and meet specific eligibility requirements. The scholarship is available for up to five years following high school graduation, and eligibility is limited to 12 full-time quarters or 8 semesters. Eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office after you’ve completed the financial aid application process.  The Washington Student Achievement Council will notify EvCC if you should be considered for the College Bound Scholarship. You must be enrolled in a minimum 3 credits. College Bound Scholarship funds are awarded in combination with other state financial aid to cover the average cost of tuition, fees, and a partial book allowance. Additional Information is available online at www.wsac.wa.gov/college-bound. 

The Dreamers Grant is The Washington College Grant  (WCG) for students who are not able to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status and who meet the program’s eligibility requirements and satisfy the residency criteria below, and is another form of “gift aid” that does not have to be repaid, provided you complete your courses. Students apply by completing the Washignton Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). The Washington College Grant is awarded in combination with Everett Community College Grant to cover the average cost of tuition, fees, and a partial book allowance. Student apply by completing the Washington State

  • Have graduated from a Washington high school or obtained a GED® (or will do so before beginning college).
  • Have lived in Washington for three years prior to, and continuously since, earning the high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Sign an affidavit (written promise) to file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States when eligible to apply.

Institutional Aid:
Everett Community College reserves a percentage of tuition revenue and offers these funds to Washington resident students in the form of institutional grants and tuition waivers. EvCC offers the following institutional grants and waivers:             

Everett Community College Grant (ECC)
The ECC Grant is another form of “gift aid” that does not have to be repaid.  This grant is a limited funding option if you’re a Washington State resident with financial need, enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits, and if funds are available. Eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid office after you’ve completed the financial aid process.

Everett Community College Tuition Waiver (TW)
The EvCC Waiver is a limited funding option that does not have to be repaid. The waiver is available to you if you’re a Washington State resident with financial need enrolled a minimum of 6 credits and it can only cover the cost of state tuition. Eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid office after you have completed the financial aid process. 

Former Foster Youth Funding Sources:

Passport to College Promise:  A funding resource from the state of Washington for foster youth who are under age 27 and enroll in an eligible institution prior to age 22. This program is designed to encourage you to prepare for and succeed in college. You may be eligible to receive the following:

  • A scholarship, along with other assistance, that will go toward your tuition and living expenses for up to five years of higher education. The maximum need-based scholarship amount is currently $6,000 per year. 
  • Guidance from college academic and financial aid counselors.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) will determine eligibility for this funding source. 
For more information, please call  360-992-2039 or visit: 

Education & Training Voucher Program (ETV): The Education & Training Voucher Program (ETV) is a national program for youth who qualify and are likely to age out of the foster care system. Awarding of funds is not done through the Financial Aid Office.

ETV offers financial help to current and former foster youth to attend colleges, universities, vocational or technical programs. The ETV program helps students in their own efforts to secure financial aid to enroll in postsecondary programs.

The ETV program has up to $5,000 in funds available to eligible students. ETV awards can help fund tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation and other school-related costs.

For more information, please call  360-992-2307 or visit http://independence.wa.gov/programs/etv-program     

Washington State Governors' Scholarship: The Washington State Governors' Scholarship for Foster Youth was established to assist Washington youth who will emancipate from state or federally recognized foster, group or kinship care to enroll in and complete degrees or certificates at eligible colleges in Washington. The College Success Foundation manages the Governors' Scholarship program.

  • Approximately thirty new scholars are chosen each year.
  • Scholarship award amounts range from $2000 to $4000 depending on the college of attendance.
  • Scholarships can be used up to five years until completion of the student's program of study. Students must be enroll full time and maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to renew scholarships each year.

For more information, please call 360-992-2582.

Scholarships

Each year, EvCC awards privately funded scholarships from the community. Scholarship awards range from $100 - $5,000. There are scholarships for incoming and returning students, as well as transfer students. More about scholarships.

The General Scholarship Application can be obtained from the On Campus Scholarships page of the EvCC website. EvCC scholarship deadlines are typically in late April/early May. We also have information on free scholarship Internet search sites. Many private scholarship searches charge a fee to provide lists of sources of financial assistance for which you may apply.

If you decide to use one of these services, you may check its reputation by contacting the Better Business Bureau or state attorney general's office.

Loans

EvCC participates in the Direct Loan Program. Student Loans are financial obligations that must be repaid and are awarded on request to students who demonstrate financial need and are attending at least 6 credits of classes (half-time enrollment). Please see our Student Loan Guide for helpful information and tips.

Pay careful attention to the terms and conditions of any loan you accept to help pay for school. Do not borrow more than you need or can repay comfortably after leaving school. Additional information regarding loan programs and repayment is available, please contact our office to request this information.

Federal Student Loans: Students may receive both Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans for the same academic period. You may have up to 10 years to repay the loan(s). Please contact the Department of Education regarding repaying your loan(s).

  • Federal Subsidized Loans - Interest is deferred while the student is enrolled in school on at least a half-time basis and during the grace period
  • Federal Unsubsidized Loans - Interest begins to accrue when the loan is disbursed

Federal PLUS Loans: PLUS loans are federal loans that parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for college.

Alternative/Private loans: Students may also apply for private loans (www.elmselect.com ). Private loans do not require financial aid eligibility, but must not exceed the cost of attendance. Most lenders require Satisfactory Academic Progress. Please refer to Basic Expenses to Attend EvCC.

Please also refer to our Important Dates regarding last date of certification. Any students who do not meet our quarterly deadline are not guaranteed file evaluation prior to the end of the quarter. Students who then only request a one-quarter loan and DID NOT meet the quarterly deadline, may not qualify for a loan since the last date of certification is the published last date of the quarter.

Work Study

The Federal Work Study program and state-sponsored Washington State Work Study Programs give you the opportunity to work part-time while going to school and enrolled in 6 or more program credits. The student's wages are subsidized by federal or state funds. Work Study students can therefore find jobs and may be able to keep their loan debt down by earning part of their aid eligibility, rather than borrowing more loans. Jobs may be located on or off campus with government agencies, non-profit organizations or private corporations. Many offer career-related and/or community service experience. A student may work up to 16 hours per week and pay rates are the same as for comparable, non Work Study jobs. No job pays less than prevailing minimum wage. In addition, the America Reads/America Counts program offers reading and math tutoring jobs. More about work study.

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards are a post-service benefit received by AmeriCorps members, including those supported through VISTA and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). More about this award.