Need help with that ‘glitchy’ FAFSA application? Attend these 4 free Tri-City events
Need help filling out that new, buggy FAFSA application? You’re in luck, Tri-Cities.
Spokane-based credit union STCU is hosting four free events in Pasco to help prospective college students and their families submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known also as FAFSA.
You do not need to be an STCU member to attend and no registration is required, according to its website.
The four events with financial aid experts will be hosted at the credit union’s Pasco branch, located at 5677 Road 68. All start at 5:30 p.m. Water, snacks and a light dinner will be provided.
- Wednesday, Jan. 8
- Wednesday, Jan. 22
- Wednesday, Feb. 12
- Wednesday, Feb. 26
It’s recommended attendees create an FSA ID online before going.
Families completing an application for the 2025-26 school year will use their 2023 tax information. Attendees should also bring the following documents or information to the event:
- Email addresses of parents and students.
- SSN and birthdates of students and parents. Green Card holders will provide their A-Number.
- 2023 tax returns.
- Records of any untaxed income.
- Cash, savings and checking account balances.
- Investment information other than your primary residence.
Financial aid experts urged patience last year after the U.S. Department of Education soft launched a simplified FAFSA application that many families found more frustrating than previous years. The change was the largest in the program’s 40 years of existence, allowing students for the first time to skip questions in lieu of an IRS data exchange.
“Last year’s glitchy roll-out of a new FAFSA form caused a big drop in completions and delays getting applicant information to colleges and training programs,” a news release from STCU read. “Washington and Idaho saw 11% fewer completions in 2024, compared to 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Education.”
The DOE opened its application to the public for the upcoming 2025-26 school year in late November, announcing an expansion of Pell Grant eligibility for low-income students. So far, applicants this cycle are reporting a smoother process thanks to additional improvements.
While colleges and universities around the country have different deadlines for FAFSA, the federal due date is June 30. Priority applications are due Jan. 31 for Washington State University Tri-Cities and April 15 for Columbia Basin College.
Financial aid remains important for students and workers seeking a post-secondary education, especially as the cost to attend college continues to rise. Research finds students who complete the form are more likely to attend college.
Millions of students across the U.S. fill out a FAFSA each year, resulting in hundreds of billions of dollars in grants, aid and loans being dolled out. In addition to screening students for federal aid, the application can also link students to scholarships.
Despite being ranked a top state for college degree attainment, Washington has one of the lowest FAFSA completion rates in the nation.
Just 41% of high school seniors in Washington completed an application for the 2024-25 school year, despite Pell Grant eligibility increasing 12%, according to the Everett Herald. Nationally, about 59% of seniors complete a FAFSA.
Nearly half of all Tri-City college students are the first in their family to attend some sort of post-high school education — be it vocational training, apprenticeships, or two-year, four-year or post-graduate degrees.
Undocumented families or students ineligible for federal aid can fill out the WASFA, or Washington Application for State Financial Aid.
