Washington students have big dreams for their futures
A college education is about more than just me and my needs. I want a college degree so that I can support my future family and provide them with experiences / opportunities my parents could never give me.
Emilee, second-year Gonzaga University student and first in her family to attend college
Washington students aspire to careers in many fields — agriculture, engineering, health care, technology, and much more. Many seek skills that will enable them to best serve their communities. Others aspire to be the first in their family to attend college. Students rely on financial aid, scholarships, and other vital supports to get and stay on a path to a credential.
Our goal remains the same: that 70% of Washington students will earn a credential by the high school class of 2030. But many industries are facing critical workforce shortages, and even before the pandemic, post-high school education enrollment and credential attainment rates had flattened. As Washington works to recover and rebuild from the pandemic, investing in students and our future workforce is essential.
The enrollment crisis continues
So many people in my nursing program couldn’t go to school without financial aid
Quincey Christenson studies nursing at Heritage University. When she was 12, Quincey spent a lot of time in the hospital — time that inspired her to become a nurse. Click play to hear Quincey’s story.
Most jobs in Washington state, even before the pandemic, were filled by workers who earned some form of postsecondary credential — such as a degree, certificate, or apprenticeship. Credentials also protect Washingtonians from changes in the economy.
Despite the economic necessity of earning a credential beyond high school, far too few Washington students are completing postsecondary education and training. Fall 2023 enrollment at Washington’s public two- and four-year institutions is down by more than 50,000 students compared to fall 2019.
Source: Washington Roundtable
Additionally, the estimated credential attainment rate for the high school class of 2021 is 40%—three percentage points lower than the class of 2019. Our Black, Hispanic and Latinx, and Native American students are projected to earn credentials at even lower rates.
Washington State high school class of 2021 projected credential attainment rate by age 26 (estimated), disaggregated by race, income, and gender.
Young Washingtonians and displaced workers alike will need postsecondary education and credentials to meet the demands of today’s world and secure a better tomorrow.
Provide free access for students to earn college credit in high school
When it’s at the high school, it’s a lot more accessible for people.
Emma, a Bridgeport High School senior, has always had wanted to go to college and study nursing. Earning college credit during HS via College in the High School is making it easier
Enabling students to earn college credit while in high school is a proven strategy to increase enrollment and persistence in postsecondary education. Research indicates that students who earn college credit during their high school experience are more likely to graduate high school, persist into a second year of post-high school education and complete a bachelor’s degree within four years.
In 2023, the state legislature approved tuition-free College in the High School classes, enabling many more Washington students to complete college credit while in high school. Building on this momentum to continue to expand access to dual credit programs in public and private, not-for-profit colleges and universities will launch more students toward success in post-high school education and careers.
Receiving a grant helps me stress less and spend more time working on my education. I currently still work and balancing work to pay off loans and education to advance towards my career goals can be challenging.
Micah, first-year Biology (Pre-Health) student at Gonzaga University
[Education is] important to me because I wanted to be the first in my family to finally be able to have the chance in going to college and learn and achieve my goals. Also, I wanted to show an example to my younger siblings that anything is possible for you, you just have to put the time and energy into it.
Anjelique, first-year nursing student at Big Bend Community College and the first in her family to attend college
Without the Washington College Grant, I would not have even considered pursuing postsecondary education. The Washington College Grant has removed my financial barriers allowing me to pursue my goals and the confidence to know that I can make a bigger impact in my community.
Matthew, second-year biology student at Edmonds Community College and first in his family to attend college
Lillian, first-year biology and German student at Pacific Lutheran University
Support far more students on the path to credential attainment
Far too many young people have not enrolled in post-high school education or training as planned, and progress toward their career goals has stalled. Also, a record number of Americans are resigning from their jobs, driven by labor market changes and accelerated by the pandemic. Many career switchers are realizing that they need additional education and training to land a new job.
Progress on Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) educational attainment goals and key measures
We must take action now to ensure Washingtonians have the opportunities to earn a credential and succeed in the workforce.
Amanda, fourth-year Evergreen State College student and first in her family to attend college
Achieve 100% financial aid form completion
Be sure to apply for FAFSA. Just apply—it doesn’t hurt, and you never know what you might qualify for.
Rodrigo Ortiz Mendoza, a Washington Grant recipient currently attending Western Washington University and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in Management Information Systems, discusses his journey to higher education in this Q&A!
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and why you decided to go to college?
Rodrigo: My name is Rodrigo Ortiz Mendoza, and I’m currently attending Western Washington University, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a concentration in Management Information Systems. I was born in Guatemala, where education, especially in the small town where I grew up, wasn’t the best. When I was around six years old, my family moved to the United States—a decision that changed our lives forever.
Q: What inspired you to pursue higher education?
Rodrigo: My dad always wanted to pursue higher education but couldn’t because he needed to work to support our family. We moved back and forth between Guatemala and the U.S., which made it impossible for him to go to school without sacrificing work. Despite this, my parents always encouraged my siblings and me to focus on school. That encouragement motivated me to study and work hard all the way through high school. I decided to go to college because I want a better future for myself.
Q: What challenges did you face when deciding to go to college?
Rodrigo: By my senior year of high school, I realized I had no idea where I wanted to go to college. I was overwhelmed by the cost and even considered not going at all. Coming from a low-income family, we simply didn’t have enough to cover the expenses of sending me and my sister to college without taking on thousands of dollars in loans. I was close to giving up on college and just working full-time, but I knew if I went down that route, I might never return to school.
Q: What changed your mind and made college possible for you?
Rodrigo: Thankfully, my high school counselor at Blaine introduced me to financial aid and scholarships. Before that, I didn’t know resources like FAFSA and scholarships even existed. Once I learned about them, I applied to FAFSA, the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS), and the WAVE scholarship—and I got them! Thanks to these programs and other scholarships, I’m able to attend college without the burden of overwhelming loans.
Q: Have you had any impactful experiences during college?
Rodrigo: Absolutely. I took on a work-study position, which has been an incredible learning experience. Last year, I also worked in an AmeriCorps position at my school and discovered my passion for helping people. These opportunities have shaped my career goals and reinforced my commitment to giving back.
Q: What advice would you give to students considering college?
Rodrigo: My biggest advice is to give it your all in high school and even in middle school. Your hard work will pay off—literally! Scholarships are often tied to good grades, and they can make a huge difference in your ability to attend college. Also, be sure to apply for FAFSA. Just apply—it doesn’t hurt, and you never know what you might qualify for. Plus, many scholarships require a FAFSA application as part of the process.
Q: You currently work directly with students. How has that shaped your perspective?
Rodrigo: In 2024, I was hired by Futures NW, where I help others navigate the FAFSA application process. It’s an amazing opportunity to guide students and families who might feel uncertain or skeptical about how FAFSA works. Through my story, I can show them that even if you don’t come from a lot of money, FAFSA can open doors you never thought possible.
Q: How do you help students overcome FAFSA challenges?
Rodrigo: The FAFSA process can be overwhelming and confusing, which leads some people to give up entirely. Despite its challenges, FAFSA is a game-changer. With my growing knowledge, I help students and families navigate the process, making it easier and less intimidating. It’s incredibly rewarding to know I can make a difference in their lives.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Rodrigo: I want to thank Futures NW for giving me the opportunity to help others and for opening a new path in my life. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me on my journey, and I hope my story inspires others to pursue their dreams through education.
Having financial aid sets me up for the future.
Colton Reynolds studies aviation at Big Bend Community College with support from financial aid: “Financial aid is a life-saver.” Click play to hear Colton’s story.
Education or training after high school is important to me because both can support my future endeavor, give me a good paying job, and most especially, get my family out of poverty.
Kit, second-year nursing student at Bates Technical College
Washington has a nation-leading financial aid initiative, the Washington College Grant. But too many students can’t access this financial aid because of barriers like financial aid application completion challenges. Our state currently lags way behind many others in supporting students to complete the application:
The #FormYourFuture FAFSA Tracker is an interactive data dashboard that tracks and ranks states’ progress toward 100% of their high school seniors completing the FAFSA
Financial aid is a game changer for many students, so the legislature and state agencies should work to provide assistance to students and families on FAFSA/WASFA completion to open the door to the Washington College Grant and Pell Grants.
Jesus, first-year Grays Harbor College student and first in his family to attend college
Expand High-Demand Pathways
I was interested in the medical field but unsure how to get a foot in the door. My aunt was working for the Edmonds School District and told me about Career Connect Washington. When I went to an informational meeting for their Career Launch apprenticeship, it seemed like the perfect way for me to learn more about working as a medical assistant while earning money.
Leela Cohen completed an apprenticeship program with Kaiser Permanente in Bothell
Career connected learning gives students the chance to gain real-world skills and explore careers, launching more young people toward success in apprenticeships, college and other post-high school education and careers.
Career Connect Washington supports colleges, universities, and employers in designing work-based learning pathways that allow students to earn while they learn and achieve a credential.
Our state must grow capacity in workforce training and high-demand fields, including health care and STEM. The need for degrees and credentials in these areas continues to grow.