Governor Ferguson announces new legislative proposal: Requiring FAFSA or WASFA or opt-out to graduate high school

DES MOINES - Today, Governor Bob Ferguson announced his next major legislative proposal: Requiring all high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - known as the FAFSA - or its state equivalent, in order to graduate high school or opt-out. This will be Governor-request legislation in the upcoming legislative session.

Governor Ferguson announced his proposal at a press conference at Highline College in Des Moines, which serves the most diverse higher education student population in Washington. Highline students represent more than 120 cultures and approximately 75 percent identifying as students of color. More than half are first-generation college students who benefit from this funding unlocked by the FAFSA. Video of the event is available here, photos are available here.

Washington is among the most generous states in the nation for funding for college and job training. Approximately half of Washington families qualify for free money. Yet, our state has consistently ranked near the bottom for completing the application required to unlock this free money. In response, last September, Governor Ferguson launched his Washington Completes FAFSA campaign. Since that time, Washington has jumped 7 places in the national rankings for FAFSA completion - from 47^th to 40^th. That translates to approximately 4,700 more high school seniors completing the FAFSA this year compared to last year. Washington's FAFSA completion rate is 51%.

To improve further, Washington needs a statewide policy to match its commitment to helping students reach their goals. A growing number of states are adding the FAFSA to their graduation requirements. Of the top five states for FAFSA completion, three require the FAFSA to graduate.

In Washington state, a small number of districts are beginning to implement this requirement themselves. Those districts are achieving much higher FAFSA completion rates than the rest of the state. A few examples of districts that require the FAFSA as a graduation requirement:

• Federal Way School District: 67%.
• College Place School District: 74%
• North Beach School District: 68%

"Washington provides more free money for students to attend college or job training than virtually any other state in the nation, yet we haven't demonstrated the same commitment to helping students access that money," Governor Ferguson said. "This legislation will unlock opportunities for thousands of young people across our state."

"At Highline College, we see the direct impact of FASFA or WASFA completion every day," said Dr. Jamilyn Penn, Highline College president. "FAFSA and WASFA completion matters immensely - especially when completed early. We applaud Governor Ferguson for this important initiative. Together, we can ensure that every student - regardless of their background, income, or ZIP code - has the opportunity to access the financial resources that make higher education attainable and transform lives for generations to come."

"At the Washington Roundtable, we - and our membership of many of the state's largest employers - believe credential attainment is the on-ramp to a life of opportunity, independence, and economic mobility," said Rachel Smith, president of Washington Roundtable. "Employers across the state care deeply about the communities in which they operate, and whenever possible, they want to hire and fill jobs right there, close to home. But they need the skilled, credentialed talent to do it - and Washington isn't producing enough of it today. When more students see doors that are open to them, more will walk through, and into programs and on to credentials that lead to rewarding careers."

"Even before I began high school, I already felt as though I was in debt," said Heba Qatrani, student at University of Washington Tacoma and president of the Washington Student Association. "I saw the cost of college and immediately worried about the burden it could place on my parents, the long-term impact student loans could have on my future, and how my family would manage when my younger sister graduated only one year after me. I didn't hear much about the FAFSA at my high school. I continue to hear from friends and students who decide they cannot afford college before they have even applied for financial aid. Completing the FAFSA made it possible for me to pursue my bachelor's degree. For some students, seeing the amount of aid they qualify for may be the very thing that changes their understanding of what is possible."

Governor Ferguson's proposal will include an opt-out option, meaning that instead of filling out the FAFSA or the state equivalent, families and students could choose to sign a form indicating they decline to do so. This form would satisfy the graduation requirement, ensuring the new policy will not create a barrier for any student to graduate.

This is Governor Ferguson's second announcement regarding his legislative agenda. In June, he announced his plan to ban cell phones in classrooms statewide.

FAFSA unlocks free money for college, job training

In 2024, Washington students left more than $80 million dollars in federal student aid unclaimed.

The FAFSA is required to access federal funding, such as the Pell Grant - free money for low- and moderate-income students that does not need to be paid back.

The FAFSA is also used to access state funding, such as the Washington College Grant, or WA Grant.

The WA Grant is not a loan. Students do not have to pay the money back. The money can be used for tuition, supplies and living expenses. The grant can pay for many types of education, including community college, university, and career training, whether students attend full-time or part-time. Approximately half of all Washington families qualify. The award amount is based on family size, income and the cost of the school or training program.

For example, in 2026-27, if your family of four makes:

• $83,500 or less, your college or career training could be free.
• Up to $139,500, you could get some money for college or training

Washington, through the WA Grant, pays the full tuition and fees at any of Washington's public universities for families below 60 percent of the median family income, our full tuition and fees will be covered at any one of Washington's public universities. For example: A family of three making up to $70,000 - a single parent, two kids, or two parents, one kid - will have full tuition and fees covered.

Financial aid impacts racial equity, economic opportunity

Access to financial aid has a profound impact on racial equity and economic mobility.

Nationwide, 64% of Black undergraduate students, 54% of Hispanic undergraduate students, and 48% of American Indian/Alaska Native undergraduate students received Pell Grants in the 2019-2020 school year.

In the 2022-2023 school year, 91% of Pell Grant recipients came from families that earn $60,000 or less; 43% had an income less than $20,000.

A study of Washington state students who received need-based financial aid found that they went on to earn more than their parents, across all races and ethnicities.

Washington-only application allows access to state funding, protects student privacy

For students concerned about sharing information with the federal government, Washington offers a state-only form, called the Washington Application for Student Financial Aid, or WASFA. The WASFA is available to all Washington students, regardless of immigration status. Completing the WASFA would satisfy the graduation requirement under Governor Ferguson's policy. The WASFA allows students to access state financial aid, but not federal aid.

Washington state does not share information provided in the WASFA with the federal government.

Washington Completes FAFSA Campaign

In September 2025, Governor Ferguson launched the Washington Completes FAFSA campaign.

The governor established an advisory board to spearhead the campaign, set completion goals and track the campaign's progress. That board included students, school district officials, university representatives and more, and was staffed by Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC).

As part of the campaign, WSAC ran marketing campaigns and fanned out across the state educating seniors and their families on the financial resources available to help them reach their career goals.

So far, the Washington Completes FAFSA campaign has helped approximately 4,700 more seniors fill out either the FAFSA or WASFA.