Education organizations and advocates across Washington have a message for students: there’s money for you to continue your education and training beyond high school, and we want to help you access it.
The Washington Student Achievement Council rolled out their annual 12th Year Campaign in October. At 12th Year Campaign events, experts and trained volunteers help students and their families with financial aid and college applications. This year, the campaign is bigger than ever before.
That’s because a lot has changed, said WSAC Director Michael Meotti. Not only did a new law expand a free college tuition program (Washington College Grant) for qualified students, but WSAC will soon roll out a text messaging tool to help students apply for financial aid. Plus, the Washington College Grant will support people pursuing short-term certificates as well as two and four-year degrees. Beginning in 2020–21, the grant will also support people in apprenticeships.
With so many changes, there’s a lot to communicate.
“Roughly half of Washington’s high school seniors will seek out financial aid,” Meotti said. “But we want to search for the seniors who wouldn’t apply for financial aid or who don’t know if they want to further their education.”
Read the rest of the story on the governor's Medium page.