The FAFSA & WASFA

To receive the best possible financial aid offer, submit your FAFSA online as soon as possible each year you will attend SPU. The 2025-2026 FAFSA application will be available on or before December 1.

Remember:

• Create your FSA ID. It is strongly recommended that both students and parents create a FSA ID prior to completing the FAFSA.
• Enter "Seattle Pacific University" or SPU's code, 003788, on the 'School Selection' page to send us your FAFSA information
• You must reapply each year..
• If you miss a deadline, file a FAFSA anyway. We will always consider you for the best aid available.

SPU does not require the CSS PROFILE or a separate institutional form.

Once your FAFSA has been processed, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) and learn how much you and/or your family can expect to contribute financially. Federally mandated allowances are taken into account, as well as reported income and assets. Take a close look at the SAR and correct any inaccuracies.

If you're not eligible to submit the FAFSA and you're a Washington resident (i.e. if you're an undocumented student), you can complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA), which SPU will use instead to determine state and university need-based financial aid options.

Find help for commonly asked questions on our FAFSA FAQ's page.

State Financial Aid for Non-FAFSA Applicants

The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for people who choose not to file a federal FAFSA application. If you have completed the FAFSA, you have already applied for federal and state financial aid and do not need to complete the WASFA unless your college asks you to.

People who complete a WASFA are applying only for state aid. If you are eligible for federal aid, completing the FAFSA could maximize your potential financial aid awards.

Should you complete a FAFSA or a WASFA?

If you are unsure if you should complete a FAFSA or a WASFA, complete the WASFA Questionnaire for more information; however, anyone uncomfortable with submitting a federal FAFSA form can use the WASFA to apply only for state aid.

There are various reasons people may choose to complete a WASFA instead of a FAFSA. For example: 

• You or your parent(s) are undocumented or do not qualify for federal financial aid because of your immigration status.
• Your parent(s) or family member(s) do not wish to file a FAFSA.
• You have privacy concerns about filing a FAFSA.
• You or your parent(s) do not and will not file federal income taxes.
• You have federal loans that are in default.
• You owe a repayment on federal grants.

Concerned about privacy? Read the WASFA privacy statement.

A note on privacy: Students and families are asked to provide personal information when applying for financial aid. It’s a necessary part of the process, but it’s natural to have concerns about privacy. Anyone uncomfortable with submitting a federal FAFSA form can use the WASFA to apply only for state aid; however, they will miss out on any federal aid they could be eligible for. Whether applying with FAFSA or WASFA, students and families should read any available privacy statements to understand where their data is going and how it is used.

2025-26 FAFSA & WASFA deadlines

2024-25 FAFSA & WASFA deadlines

Important links

• Federal Student Aid Estimator: Run estimated calculations and learn your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution.) This is not an application for aid, but is useful for high school sophomores and juniors.
• Studentaid.gov: Helps you learn how to pay for college, and see what you need to do to get there. You can also find federal student aid on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
• Net Price Calculator: Estimate your aid and out-of-pocket costs.

Beware of FAFSA phishing 

As with anything else you approach online, beware of scams. Learn how to spot potential fraud, avoid paying for free services, and prevent identity theft. Learn more.