Student Funding, Award Types, Scholarships, and Other Aid
What you need to know about the different types of financial aid available to you.
Ability to Benefit
To be eligible for Title IV financial aid, you must have a high school diploma, or its recognized equivalent. If you do not meet this requirement, you may still qualify for aid under Ability to Benefit (ATB). Under this provision, ATB gives adults without a high school diploma access to federal student aid.
- Submit your FAFSA or WASFA
- Schedule an appointment with an advisor
In order to be eligible for ATB, a student must enroll in an eligible career pathway program and complete one of three options:
- Pass an approved test
- Complete at least 6 college level credits toward an approved credential
- Be admitted through a state defined process such as I-BEST
If you’re interested in qualifying for the ATB provision, please schedule an appointment to meet with Transitional Studies or call 253-589-5702. For more details around funding eligibility, please email finaid@cptc.edu.
Funding and Award Type
*Grant amounts change as of July 1.
| Financial Aid Program | How Funds are Received | Eligibility | Amount Available | Special Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Pell Grant | May be applied to tuition and fees. Balance paid by disbursement. | Enrolled in an eligible program. Cannot be in loan default. | Grant ranges up to $2,465 per quarter depending on student need, program costs, and credits expected to be completed in award year. | Payments are made during the first two weeks of each quarter to all students who are in good academic standing. |
| Washington College Grant (WCG) | Same as Pell. | Must be a Washington state resident and meet income requirements. | Depending on need, WCG ranges up to $1,698 per quarter and $2,711 quarterly max for BAS program students. | Funds awarded on first-come, first-served basis. |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) | Same as Pell. | Same as Pell. | Grants range from $100 to $300. | Funds awarded on first-come, first-served basis. |
| Work Study Federal Work Study (FWS), State Work Study (SWS), WorkFirst Work Study (WFWS) | Submit a time sheet twice monthly by the 10th and 25th of month. Payment is monthly by direct deposit. | Enrolled in an eligible program, attend orientation, must be enrolled at least 6 credits. | Dependent on student's calculated need. Earnings may range up to $11,500 per school year. | Jobs are available on and off campus. Positions are usually handled by the Work-Study Program Specialist. State work study positions are related to a students career training. A student may work up to a maximum of 19 hours per week. |
| Federal Direct Loan Program | Applied to outstanding tuition and fees. Balance paid by disbursement. | Enrolled in an eligible program and must be enrolled at least 6 credits. | Up to $4,500 in subsidized and up to $6,000 in unsubsidized loan. Borrowed money must be repaid. | Students are required to do entrance, financial awareness and exit counseling at different times while attending CPTC. If a student withdraws or drops to less than half time, the remainder of the loan is canceled. |
| Scholarships | Individuals, groups and organizations. | Financial need; other requirements depending on scholarship. | Determined by donor. Scholarship workshops are held by Workforce Development in Bldg. 17 as well as funding offered by the CPTC Foundation. | Determined by donor. |
| Worker Retraining | Same as Pell. | Eligible to receive, receiving, or exhausted unemployment within the last two years. | Grants vary per quarter based on need and tuition and fee costs, other funding and availability of funds. | Eligible participants are identified by the Workforce Development Office in Bldg.17 |
| Work Based Learning Tuition Assistance (Working Family Scholarship) | Credit on account for tuition and bookstore purchases. | Low income working parent or WorkFirst/TANF recipient. | To cover tuition and books not covered by any other form of aid. | Eligible participants are identified by the specialists in Workforce Development in Bldg. 17 |
Scholarships
Many businesses, services, professional organizations, and individuals in the community contribute funds to be used as grants (awards based on need) or as scholarships (awards based on merit, need, or other criteria).
A scholarship information bulletin board is located next to the Student Aid and Scholarship office in Building 17 and at the Eastside Training Center. Scholarships are available from the CPTC Foundation, and scholarship workshops are also held every quarter.
The Clover Park Technical College Foundation offers scholarships and emergency assistance to CPTC students. For more information, attend a scholarship workshop or visit CPTC Foundation Scholarships.
TheWashBoard.org
- A Washington State scholarship search database that asks you profile questions to target scholarships you can apply for HERE.
Fast Web
- A national scholarship search database that asks you profile questions to target scholarships you can apply for HERE.
Foster Youth
Clover Park Technical College has partnered with the Department of Social and Health Services and the Higher Education Coordinating Board to identify and support student who are in, or recently aged out of the foster care system in Washington state.
Support provided on campus:
In partnership with Career & Community Services, Tim Guntle helps students who need additional support while helping students stay connected with the financial aid office. Any former foster youth or unaccompanied homeless youth (including McKinney-Vento) should reach out to the Career & Community Services office for support or make an appointment with Tim. The Career & Community Services department is able to provide the following services:
- Resume building
- Career advising
- Assistance with other resources
- Budgeting
- Goal setting
- Emergency Assistant Grant (SEAG)
Passport to Careers provides scholarship and support services to those who have experienced foster care or unhoused without a guardian. Student Aid and Scholarships works closely with the Career Services team to help students receive the funding and support that they need. Students are encouraged to contact or make an appointment with Tim Guntle for additional information.
Passport to College Promise Scholarship
This scholarship provides financial support to students who have been in foster care for at least one year. To be eligible, students must also be a state resident, enrolled in at least half-time at an eligible institution by age 21, and have not yet received a bachelor's degree. More information, including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), can be found in the Passport to Careers resource guide.
Educational Training Voucher
The ETV program is for students who may have potentially aged out of the foster care system and are making progress towards their degree. It helps provide students with more financial support: ETV program funds can be used for educational and living costs.
College Bound
Established by Washington State Legislature, the College Bound program was created to provide financial assistance to income eligible students who want to attain a college education. College Bound is the state's early commitment of financial aid funding. Funds are based on average public college tuition rates.
Students, as early as 7th grade, who are eligible for free-and-reduced price lunch are automatically enrolled in College Bound. Students in state foster care or considered a dependent of the state are also auto-enrolled. Eligibility requirements, award amounts, program enrollment, and more can be found at College Bound | WSAC or review the family FAQ guide.
Helpful Links
Other Aid Resources