Last week, I heard that a friend's eldest child said while applying for college, "Our family is dual-income, so we can't receive any financial aid." I used to think that way too.

However, when I looked at the Washington College Grant eligibility chart, I found that some middle-class income levels can actually qualify for assistance.

Today, I want to go through that chart step by step. With application season starting, I thought it would be good to review this information.

The Washington College Grant is a state scholarship program run by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). Nowadays, it's often referred to as WA Grant.

This is a grant that does not need to be repaid, and the eligibility is based on family size and household income. It's important to note that this is not a merit-based scholarship.

According to the eligibility chart released by WSAC for the 2026-27 academic year, a family of four with an annual income of $83,500 or less can receive the maximum amount. This is 60% of the state median income.

Partial support continues up to 100% of the median income, which for a family of four is an annual income of $139,500.

For a family of three, the maximum support is set at $70,000 or less, while partial support goes up to $117,000. As the family size increases, the income thresholds also rise.

However, be cautious about getting your hopes up just because you hear that "you can receive aid even with an income in the $130,000 range." The percentage of aid decreases quite steeply across income brackets.

The state law specifies the following percentages: for incomes between 61-65% of the median, you receive 60% of the maximum amount; for 66-70%, it's 50%.

For 71-75%, it drops to 24.5%. And for the 76-100% range, it's only 10% of the maximum amount.

Breaking it down again for a family of four: up to $90,500, you get 60%; up to $97,500, it's 50%; and up to $104,500, it's 24.5%.

Above that, up to $139,500, it's just 10%. Honestly, the last bracket doesn't offer a significant amount. Still, tuition costs can add up, so it's worth considering.

The amount of support varies depending on the type of school and the number of credits enrolled. Public universities and community colleges generally align with tuition levels, so if you qualify for maximum support, the burden of public tuition is significantly reduced.

There have been some changes as well. In 2025, the state legislature passed SSB 5785 to reduce budget deficits, which affected this grant.

The maximum support range is now legally defined as 0-60%, and starting from the 2026-27 academic year, for-profit colleges are no longer eligible for support.

Students at private non-profit four-year colleges will see their support amount reduced to 50% of the average support amount for public research universities starting in the 2026-27 academic year. If you're considering a private college, you should calculate this separately.

In the 2026 session, a bill (HB 2098) was proposed to change the income eligibility thresholds, but it did not pass. So, the structure remains as it is now.

Let's briefly review the eligibility criteria. You must be a resident of Washington state and have a high school diploma or an equivalent such as a GED.

You need to be enrolled in a program that qualifies for financial aid, and if you already have a bachelor's degree, you cannot receive this grant. This includes not only four-year programs but also vocational training and some apprenticeship programs.

If you registered for the College Bound Scholarship in middle school, make sure to check that eligibility as well. It's tied to the same income eligibility chart, making it easier to review together.

There's no separate application; you just need to submit the FAFSA or WASFA. Students who cannot submit the FAFSA due to immigration status can apply using the WASFA created by the state.

The FAFSA for the 2027-28 academic year opened earlier than October 1 of this year. The federal Department of Education announced this is the earliest opening ever, giving you one more reason to hurry.

One thing to keep in mind is that when schools calculate income, they exclude scholarships, work-study income, and education tax credit amounts that are included in tax reporting income.

So, before you look at your AGI and think, "We exceed the limit," it's a good idea to check if you have any of these items.

Also, the numbers currently available are based on the 2026-27 academic year. The eligibility chart is updated every year, so if you're planning to enroll next fall, make sure to check the WSAC site for the 2027-28 chart.

In my view, the essence of this program is to encourage people to apply. Families on the borderline are often quick to give up without even looking at the chart.

When hiking, if you only look at the summit, you can get exhausted, but if you think, "Let's just get to the next marker," you can keep moving forward. I believe tuition should be tackled one step at a time.

If I were in your shoes, I would submit the FAFSA this month, then wait for the offer letter from the school's financial aid office before making any decisions. The numbers become clearer once you receive them.