To be considered for federal, state or institutional student financial aid, individuals must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must reapply each year. Applications may be filed after October 1 of each year for the following academic year. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA application online.
For students who do not have legal status in the United States including legal residency in Washington, they can use the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) to file an alternative to the FAFSA to be considered for state financial aid, more information at https://wsac.wa.gov/wasfa.
Applicants seeking further information and deadline dates should contact the Financial Aid Office at one of the colleges or visit the college financial aid web site:
Many students who want to attend CCS need financial assistance to meet college costs. Grant assistance for eligible students is available through the Federal Pell Grant, Washington College Grant, and State Institutional Grant programs. A number of tuition waiver programs exist for individuals meeting specific criteria. There are employment opportunities through federal, state and institutional work-study employment programs. Students may apply for Ford Federal Direct Loans (need or non-need based) and the Parent Loan (PLUS) through the Financial Aid Office.
Many sources of financial aid are available from public and private agencies, including the Veterans Administration, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Indian Affairs/Tribal Education Offices, and Department of Labor and Industries. Contact these agencies directly for eligibility requirements.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
To be eligible for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Satisfactory Academic Progress will be evaluated each year at the time of the initial financial aid award and each quarter the student is enrolled. Satisfactory Academic Progress will be evaluated for the most recent quarters attended at SCC, SFCC, or both. This policy applies to ALL periods of enrollment whether or not the student previously received financial aid. No provision will be granted for grade forgiveness. Transfer credits and credits attempted while enrolled in Running Start will be included.
There are three required elements of Satisfactory Academic Progress measurement:
- Credits
- Grade Point Average
- Pace of Progression
Students must meet all three requirements to receive financial aid. Remedial credits (courses below the 100 level) are included in the cumulative credits attempted. Remedial credits may be funded with financial aid up to a maximum of 45 credits.
For complete financial aid regulations, contact the Financial Aid Office at:
BankMobile Vibe
Community Colleges of Spokane has partnered with BankMobile, a financial services company, to bring an efficient method of refund disbursement to students. Financial aid will be disbursed to students via BankMobile. Check out mybigfootcard.vibeaccount.com to learn more.
Financial Wellness
All students should have the best information possible in order to empower them to make smart decisions about paying for school and managing their money. Our students have access to iGrad, a financial literacy platform featuring interactive tools, courses, and more.
For more information, visit:
Foundation Scholarships
Scholarships offer financial support for education and do not need to be paid back. The CCS Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships each year that range from a few hundred dollars to help with the cost of books to a full year's tuition coverage.
The Scholarship page lists all Foundation scholarships, department scholarships and many outside scholarship opportunities. The CCS Foundation scholarship application is open from mid-January to mid-March. A shorter application period is open later in the summer, usually mid-August to early September.
Some scholarships operate on unique timelines and have applications outside of that timeline. Check the Scholarship page regularly for new opportunities and sign-up for the Scholarship Newsletter at the bottom of the Apply for Scholarships page.
The first step to apply for a scholarship is to fill out the General Scholarship Application. Depending on your answers to questions in the general application, you may be asked additional questions that will help the Foundation to find a scholarship for you.
For more scholarship information, call 509-434-5123, e-mail foundation@ccs.spokane.edu, or visit our website at ccsfoundation.org/Apply-for-Scholarships.
Work-study Employment
Work-study is a financial aid program that allows a student to work on-campus or with approved off-campus employers to earn money to pay for college expenses. By participating in the work-study programs students gain practical experience in the workplace while having a chance to see if the program of study they have chosen matches their expectations.
For more information, call the Work-Study Office:
Worker Retraining Program
The Worker Retraining Program is designed to help eligible unemployed workers receive funding, if it is available, for retraining through SCC, SFCC or the off-campus centers. This program is a Washington State cooperative initiative between CCS and the Washington State Employment Security Department. Eligible unemployed workers include:
- Dislocated workers
- Laid-off workers receiving unemployment benefits
- Workers who have exhausted their unemployment benefits
- Formerly self-employed workers
- Displaced homemakers
Services include employment and training assistance, career counseling, school-to-work and job transition, goal setting, customized training for job skills upgrade and job placement.
For more information, call the Worker Retraining Office:
WorkFirst Financial Aid Program
The WorkFirst Financial Aid Program may pay for tuition, books and fees for students who are currently on Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) through the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Services can be provided through SCC, SFCC or the off-campus centers. WorkFirst work-study also may be available.
For more information about this program, call:
BFET Program
The BFET program may pay for tuition, books and fees for students who are receiving basic food assistance through the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Services can be provided through SCC, SFCC or the off-campus centers.
For more information, call SCC, 509-533-7249; SFCC, 509-533-3042; off-campus centers, 509-533-7221.
Opportunity Grant Program
The Opportunity Grant program helps low-income students in specific professional technical programs complete a certificate or degree in a high-wage, high-demand career.
For more information, call SCC, 509-533-7249; SFCC, 509-533-3042.