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OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENTPassport to College Program

About Passport to College

Passport to College was founded in 2008 after the Passport to College Promise Scholarship program was created by the state of Washington in 2007 to help students from foster care attend and succeed in college. The program was initially authorized as a six- year pilot and was made permanent in the 2012 Legislative session. In 2018, the Legislature expanded eligibility to youth in Washington state foster care, the federal unaccompanied refugee minors’ program, interstate compact program, and tribal foster care, and to unaccompanied homeless youth. Passport helps identified students prepare for, attend, and succeed in college. Participants receive scholarships to make college more affordable and are provided with holistic advising in academic, career, financial, personal, and social matters to persist, engage, and succeed in college.

Services to Passport to College Scholars

Services and support are available empower all Passport to College Scholars to engage and achieve at WSU and beyond:

Receive integrated, holistic advising from a dedicated Passport to College advisor throughout academic career.
First-year Passport to College Scholars are eligible to enroll in a Passport to College First-Year Success Strategies Seminar (UNIVERSITY 104), a two-credit course designed to assist in exploring, developing, and refining practical skills to succeed in an academic environment and enhance the opportunity for students to participate in transformative student experiences.
Meet with support staff regularly to review personal goals and make progress toward them
Participate in bi-weekly advising meetings during the first year, develop a study schedule and time management plan, create a 4-year graduation plan, build a health and wellness/ nutritional plan, and attend wellbeing workshops regarding campus resources
Review their financial aid package, complete a semester budget, participate in a textbook purchasing program, and fill out educational training voucher payment requests and scholarship applications
Plan career development goals, create a resume, and attend career fair
Participate in social events with fellow Passport to College and College Success scholars

Passport to College Benefits

Passport to College Promise Scholarship

Once a student is verified as Passport-to-College-eligible, they can receive a scholarship up to $5,000 through the Washington Student Achievement Council.

Priority Registration

Active Passport to College Participants are given the opportunity to register for their future courses at an earlier date than the rest of the student population.

Peer Mentorship Program

First and second year Passport to College Scholars are assigned a Peer Advisor to help navigate the transition to college from a student perspective. Our Peer Advisors can offer suggestions like future courses to take, extracurriculars to participate in, or campus resources that helped them succeed.

Textbook Purchasing Program

Active Passport to College Participants can receive financial assistance up to $250 for required course materials through The Bookie.

Laptop Lending Program

Passport to College Participants can rent a laptop through our laptop rental service program. Our laptops can be rented out to student participants on a monthly basis.

Emergency Grant Aid

Passport to College Scholars with unmet need may be eligible for Emergency Grant Aid to address urgent financial concerns impacting academic success. Scholars must meet with their Passport to College Advisor to apply.

Passport to College Eligibility

Former Foster Youth (FFY) Eligibility Requirements

Undergraduate students at WSU may be considered eligible for Passport to College Program if one or more of the following applies. To determine eligibility, complete the CSP Interest Form or email oae.csp@wsu.edu

Verified by Washington Student Achievement Council
Must be enrolled at least half-time
Must be 21 and younger
Washington resident
Completed FAFSA/WASFA
Pursuing 1st Bachelor’s degree

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY) Eligibility Requirements

Verified through McKinney-Vento
Unaccompanied homeless event happened during prior or current academic year before age 21
Must be enrolled at least half-time
Must be 21 or younger
Washington resident
Completed FASA/WASFA
Pursuing 1st Bachelor’s degree
Submitted Student Housing Questionnaire
Submitted official letter of testimony from a counselor/teacher official authority

The Washington state legislature expanded eligibility of the Passport to College Scholarship program in March of 2018. The program is expanded to include youth who have experienced homelessness and individuals who have spent a day or more in state, federal, or tribal foster care. Students may be eligible for a supplemental scholarship and student assistance if they:

were in state, tribal or federal foster care prior to age 21 and subsequent to the following:
- age 15 as of July 1, 2018
- age 14 as of July 1, 2019
- age 13 as of July 2020
are a resident student, with additional verification process by the Washington Student Achievement Council if unable to establish residency because of placement in out-of-state foster care or homelessness
are enrolled at least half-time with an institution of higher education
are making Satisfactory Academic Progress toward completion of a degree
have verified their homelessness status with the Washington Student Achievement Council
have not earned a Bachelor’s or professional degree

Beginning July 1, 2019, unaccompanied homeless youth are eligible for the Passport to College Scholarship if they are under the age of 21 and have verified their unaccompanied homelessness status with the Washington Student Achievement Council on or after July 1 of the prior academic year.

To check if a student is eligible for the Passport to College Scholarship, visit: wsac.wa.gov/passport/about
Other resources can be found at independence.wa.gov, such as the Educational Training Voucher.

The Passport to College Program partners with community offices, such as Safety Net, the Community Action Center, Volunteers of America, Treehouse, and others to ensure student success during their undergraduate career at WSU.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the definition of Former Foster Youth (FFY)?

A former foster youth is considered as a student who has been in the foster care system on or after the age of 13. Foster care systems can be state foster programs (including dependents under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)), Federal Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program, and Tribal Foster Care System determined by campus staff or one of the 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State.

What is the definition of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth?

An unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) is a student who has experienced some form of homelessness without the presence of their legal guardians before turning the age of 21. Unaccompanied homelessness can be defined as couch surfing, living in temporary housing (car, hotel, motel, shelter/temporary housing program, park, campsite, transitional housing), living with relatives, living without your parent or guardian while also being 100% self-supporting. UHY are identified on the FAFSA or WASFA or by self-identification

How can I find out if I am eligible for the Passport to College Program?

You can either fill out the interest form that can be found on the right-side of our webpage under “Apply to the Program” or directly contact our Student Success Specialist at laura.lydia@wsu.edu to schedule an intake meeting to discuss and verify eligibility.

What is the McKinney Vento Act?

The McKinney-Vento Act provides rights and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness. A McKinney-Vento liaison is an authorized official such as social worker, shelter manager, case manager, church official, or school counselor that can provide a letter of testimony attesting to the student’s home insecurity situation.

What is the Student Housing Questionnaire?

The Student Housing Questionnaire is a form that our program asks prospective unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) students to fill out. This form is used to verify that the student is eligible under the UHY status. The link to the questionnaire can be found here: Student Housing Questionnaire.

What is the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)?

The Washington Student Achievement Council is a state agency that works to raise educational attainment through strategic engagement, program management, and partnerships. WSAC provides funding for the Passport to College Program. This organization is committed to increasing educational opportunities and attainment in Washington.

Proudly Partnered with:
Washington Student Achievement Council

Give to Students in Need with the
Foster Youth and Formerly Homeless Support Fund
Former foster youth have great financial need, especially at this time. In this season of giving, please consider this fund that supports their academic needs such as books, laptops, and other academic supplies needed to fully participate in coursework.

DONATE HERE

Contacts

Laura Lydia
Student Success Specialist – Passport to College
The Commons, 209D
509-335-1285
laura.lydia@wsu.edu