Getting Started

Grays Harbor College provides a comprehensive student financial aid program to eligible students. Financial aid is designed to provide assistance when student resources are insufficient to meet the cost of going to college. Aid programs include grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.

To be eligible to receive financial aid funds, students must have completed high school or GED, be an American citizen or eligible non-citizen, be registered with Selective Service (if required), not owe a repayment on a financial aid grant or be in default on a student loan and be enrolled in a program that leads to a degree or certificate.

All financial aid awards are based on full-time enrollment (12 or more credits). However, aid is available for less than twelve credits. When enrolling for less than 12 credits, aid awards are prorated based on the number of credits.

Applying for Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid has never been easier. All students applying for financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application establishes your level of eligibility for federal and state grants, loans and work-study programs.

The FAFSA is available by calling the Financial Aid Office at 1-800-562-4830 ext. 4081 or 538-4081 for local calls. Our TDD/TTY number is (360) 538-4223. Paper applications are also available at most high school counseling offices and Timberland Libraries; but the newest and most exciting way to apply is electronically by accessing the U.S. Department of Education's FAFSA on the Web.


Through this site you can enter your information and submit it directly to the federal processor through the Web (encryption technology protects your privacy). Prior to completing this application online, you and your parent(s) (if you had to provide their financial information) should visit www.pin.ed.gov and apply for an electronic signature PIN. This will allow you to fill out the FAFSA with an electronic signature which will greatly accelerate the application process; without an electronic signature, the process will involve a mail-in signature card which will take up to 4 weeks to process.

Plan early and allow plenty of time to complete the required application forms. It can take up to six weeks to process the FAFSA. Students should begin the process as soon as possible after January 1. The deadline for priority funding is May 1.

• Be sure to list Grays Harbor College on the FAFSA. The Title IV school for Grays Harbor College is 003779.
  
  
• If you have already applied, but did not list Grays Harbor College on the application, please contact the Grays Harbor College Financial Aid Office.
  
  
• Read all correspondence and comply with all requests for additional information.
  
  
• Keep GHC informed of any changes in the information you supplied on the FAFSA, especially a change of address.
  
  
• Include your name and social security number on all correspondence.