The 2024-25 FAFSA is the most significant revamping of the financial aid form since the 1980s. The U.S. Department of Education estimates the 2024-25 FAFSA will help 610,000 new students from low-income backgrounds receive federal Pell Grants and 1.5 million more students receive the maximum amount. However, significant delays with the U.S. Department of Education's rollout of the new FAFSA is affecting every college and university in the country, including all 34 Washington community and technical colleges.

This webpage contains resources to support college professionals as they navigate this historic turning point in federal financial aid.

This free college-planning publication provides students and families with important information and tools to guide their pursuit of postsecondary education. Opportunities guides are available in English and Spanish. The state-specific booklets are the same as the national booklets with the addition of state-specific information on colleges, financial aid and resources.

This is an annual resource and is updated and printed each year.

For more information about this and related resources, visit https://www.ecmc.org/studentseducators/student-resources/opportunities-guide-and-workbook

As you plan and prepare for college, these checklists will help keep you on track throughout the process. The checklists highlight important aspects to focus on during each season of the year, including tips for both money and time management, and college and career planning.

For more information about this and related resources, visit https://www.ecmc.org/studentseducators/student-resources/opportunities-guide-and-workbook

La creación de una ID de FSA es el primer paso para completar la Solicitud Gratuita de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes (FAFSA) en línea, que es la forma más rápida y fácil de presentar la solicitud. Cada estudiante y al menos uno de los padres deben tener una ID de FSA única para firmar electrónicamente la FAFSA. El nombre de usuario y la contraseña de ID de FSA se usan para firmar electrónicamente la FAFSA y otros documentos

importantes para la ayuda financiera. También le permite acceder a su cuenta en línea de la Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes (FSA). Utilice esta hoja de trabajo para ayudarle a crear una ID de FSA.

For more information about this and related resources, visit https://www.ecmc.org/studentseducators/student-resources/opportunities-guide-and-workbook

Creating an FSA ID is the first step to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, which is the quickest and easiest way to submit the application. Each student and their parent(s) must have a unique FSA ID in order to electronically sign the FAFSA. The FSA ID username and password are used to electronically sign the FAFSA and other important financial aid paperwork. It also grants you access to your online Federal Student Aid (FSA) account. Use this worksheet to help create an FSA ID.

For more information about this and related resources, visit https://www.ecmc.org/studentseducators/student-resources/opportunities-guide-and-workbook

This class discusses the economic aspects of current issues in education, using both economic theory and econometric and institutional readings. Topics include discussion of basic human capital theory, the growing impact of education on earnings and earnings inequality, statistical issues in determining the true rate of return to education, the labor market for teachers, implications of the impact of computers on the demand for worker skills, the effectiveness of mid-career training for adult workers, the roles of school choice, charter schools, state standards and educational technology in improving K-12 education, and the issue of college financial aid.

Students will be able to
- Explain the role the FAFSA plays in the financial aid process
- Understand the importance of submitting the FAFSA
- Apply for the FAFSA
- Identify misconceptions and challenges students have that prevent them from submitting the FAFSA
- Read a Student Aid Report (SAR) and understand the role of their Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Watch this short video to get your bearings in a seemingly endless sea of financial-aid options. Grants, scholarships, loans—you name it—we cover it in this informative clip.

The cost of college should never discourage anyone from going after a valuable degree. –Arne Duncan, former United States Secretary of EducationLEARNING OBJECTIVESBy the end of this section, you will be able to:Establish financial goalsIdentify strategies for creating and maintaining a budgetDescribe available options for paying for collegeDescribe the benefits and risks of creditDevelop financial literacy skills to prepare for your financial future

A High school student guide to their Individual Graduation Plan: resources to being College and Career Ready

To be considered for any type of aid—grant, scholarship, or loan—all aspiring post-secondary students must complete a FAFSA. This video provides a general overview of the Free Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Over the course of this five lesson unit, students will explore how their preferences, interests, needs, and strengths (PINS) connect to a future career. Lessons can be taught as stand alone or as a comprehensive unit. 

In this mini-unit, students begin by creating a career plan and an education plan. After learning financial aid vocabulary concepts, students will play an online game called “Payback” to apply knowledge learned about paying for college. The activity concludes with students creating a personal resume and taking notes on job interview tips.

College is an Investment
We want to be sure you get your time and money's worth and graduate with little to no debt.

There's money out there to help you pay for college — some of it you may not have to pay back — and we want to help you get it.

In this section, we'll walk you through:
How much college costs and what your money goes to
How to get money for college
The kind of money that's available
Descriptions and links to funding programs
Whether your goal is to get started on a bachelor's degree and transfer, or to train for an in-demand job, you'll get an outstanding education for the lowest tuition.

Note: This is a Washington resource but has many resources that are useful for Oregon and Idaho students.

As you plan and prepare for college, these checklists will help keep you on track throughout the process. The checklists highlight important aspects to focus on during each season of the year, including tips for both money and time management, and college and career planning.

For more information about this and related resources, visit https://www.ecmc.org/studentseducators/student-resources/opportunities-guide-and-workbook

Welcome To The Student Success Library!
Each subject below links to a student success “chapter” of content which includes videos, readings, activities as well as tools for educators. At the bottom of this page, you’ll see a big button that says Student Success Textbook, which has all of the content on each of these subjects compiled into a downloadable PDF. Enjoy and have a great experience.

N.B.: The Student Success Library was customized for Santa Monica College (SMC) in Santa Monica, CA. If you come across an SMC that does not apply to or is not useful to you, search your local resources for similar tools that can help.