WA Grant for Apprenticeship | WSAC

WA Grant for Apprenticeship | WSAC
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Passport to Careers Guide
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WA Grant for Apprenticeship
WG-A Funding Application Priority Deadline: May 15, 2026
Applications will continue to be accepted through June 30, 2026. Applying by our Priority Deadline gives you time to submit appeal or verification documents (if needed) and set up direct deposit or resolve grant disbursement issues (such as returned or missing checks if you cannot set up direct deposit). Incomplete awarding and disbursements will be closed out by our fiscal year accounting deadlines in mid-August.
For applicants with WSAC as your Servicer: If you have applied or are planning to apply, register for a statewide vendor number (required) and set up your direct deposit (optional) with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) as soon as possible. Follow these instructions to begin the process with OFM.
Please ensure you are regularly logging into the portal to ensure you have completed all assigned forms. If we need additional information, applicants will receive an email from
do-not-reply@wsac.wa.gov
. These emails will ask you to log into our Portal to see the updates. Please add
do-not-reply@wsac.wa.gov
as a safe sender.
Apprentices can get grant money to help pay for expenses
WA Grant
isn’t only for traditional college students. WA Grant for Apprenticeship includes funding for qualified apprentices in a variety of programs in Washington.
Eligible apprentices can receive money to cover costs associated with their apprenticeship program.
Watch Cierra L’s story to see how WA Grant for Apprenticeship changed her life for the better:
View more of
Cierra's WA Grant for Apprenticeship story
A Washingtonian from a family of four making up to $131,000 can qualify for WG-A
To qualify for WG-A you must:
Work in a participating WG-A program.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Be a resident of Washington State.
Meet
requirements related to family income and need
Not have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Not owe a repayment for any state financial aid program.
Have quarters of eligibility remaining (QER).
How to apply
How to apply
Announcement:
General application processing times may take 8-10 weeks from initial submission date.
Determine your Sponsor.
If you are employed as an apprentice with a participating WG-A Sponsor, reach out to your Sponsor for their application process.
Some Sponsors partner with a community or technical college to serve as their financial aid administrator. Other Sponsors use WSAC as their Financial Aid Administrator.
Complete and submit the
online WG-A application
You will need information from the following documents for your application:
Prior-prior year tax documents. You will need 2023 tax documents for the 2025-26 application cycle.
SSN or ITIN card.
Complete all additional required forms. We may ask you to complete verification for eligibility factors like family size, income, or residency. Check the Portal regularly to make sure you have completed all required forms. This will help in timely application review.
Accept your award.
If you are eligible for WG-A, you will receive a financial aid offer along with terms and conditions of accepting the award.
If you have any questions about your award calculation, please reach out to your servicer. If you are aware of any reason that you would be unable to fulfill the terms and conditions of the award, please reach out to the servicer to discuss options for your award. This may include an adjusted award or rejection of the award for the fiscal year.
Maintain eligibility.
Meet your Satisfactory Program Progress requirements as outlined in your financial aid offer.
Complete the payment directive.
Once you accept the award, you may need to complete a payment directive. This will determine how the funds are sent to you. For apprentices whose service is at a community or technical college, the college will receive funds to disburse to you. Apprentices whose Sponsor partners with WSAC’s servicer will need to sign up to receive a statewide vendor number to receive payment. This can be done on the
Office of Financial Management website
. Please use
these directions (PDF, 417.8 KB)
to help guide you through this process.
Helpful documents to have:
Bank account information (account and routing numbers).
SSN or ITIN Card.
Have questions?
For questions about your eligibility or financial aid offer, please contact your Sponsor’s Financial Aid Administrator.
For questions about the application or assistance, please contact the WG-A apprenticeship team at
wga@wsac.wa.gov
or 888.535.0747, option 9.
Participating WG-A program sponsors
Participating WG-A program sponsors
Not all programs offered by a Sponsor are approved for WG-A. Contact your Sponsor for eligible programs.
Sponsors participating with a community or technical college:
AJAC: Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships
Columbia Basin Electrical Training Alliance
Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Trades Apprenticeship Training
Machinists Institute
Washington State Fire Fighters J.A.T.C.
Washington State Meatcutters and Fishmongers
Apprenticeship Committee Sponsors participating with WSAC:
Apprenti
Atarashii Apprentice Program
Certified Safety Specialist Apprenticeship Program
Construction Industry Training Council
Evergreen Rural Water of Washington
Finishing Trades Institute Northwest
Frontier Electric Apprenticeship & Training
Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium
Inland Empire Electrical Training Trust
Ironworkers Local 86 J.A.T.C.
Ironworkers Local 14 J.A.T.C
Northwest Electrical Industry J.A.T.C
Northwest Laborers Training
Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship
Operating Engineers Regional Training Program
Performance Electrical Apprenticeship Committee
Pierce County Roofers
Puget Sound Electrical J.A.T.C.
SkillsUSA Washington
Southwest Washington Electrical J.A.T.C.
Spokane Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers
Tradesmen Apprenticeship & Comprehensive Training
UA Sprinkler Fitters Local 669 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee
Washington Association for Community Health
Washington Construction Teamsters Apprenticeship Committee
Washington State UBC JATC
Western States Boilermakers Apprenticeship Committee
Western Washington Sheet Metal J.A.T.C.
Woodcreek Provider Services
Sponsor not listed? Direct your Program Sponsor to the
WG-A apprenticeship Program Providers page
for options to participate in the WG-A program.
FAQs
FAQs
What if my Sponsor isn’t listed as a participating Program Sponsor?
Sponsors must apply to participate in the WG-A program. Please direct your Program Sponsor to the WG-A Apprenticeship Program Providers page for options to complete the intake process to participate in the WG-A program.
What is Satisfactory Program Progress (SPP)?
To maintain eligibility for WG-A, apprentices must meet Satisfactory Program Progress (SPP) requirements that are specific to each eligible apprenticeship program. In general, SPP includes completing a required number of on-the-job training hours and related supplemental instruction. Contact your Sponsor’s Financial Aid Administrator if you have questions regarding your program’s SPP requirements.
Do I have to pay WG-A funds back?
If you meet all eligibility requirements, including Satisfactory Program Progress, WG-A funds do not need to be repaid. Please contact your Sponsor’s Financial Aid Administrator if you have questions regarding your financial aid offer requirements.
Do I have to pay taxes on WG-A funds?
WSAC cannot provide tax guidance. Please consult with a tax professional or consultant or
IRS Publication 970
How much can I get?
You can estimate your potential WA Grant for Apprenticeship award using the
financial aid calculator
(look for the WSAC-approved non-college-based apprenticeships). Please note, this calculator will only provide an estimate and is not a guarantee of funding or funding amounts.
WG-A at the Colleges
WG-A at the Colleges
WG-A is available to apprentices in approved participating programs at select community or technical colleges. Apprentices whose sponsor is participating at a CTC will use the same
application
to apply for funding. Please ensure you select the right occupation and servicer to reflect the college your program is associated with.
WA Grant for Apprenticeship will be awarded through the college's financial aid department.
Participating WG-A program sponsors at a community or technical college
Sponsors participating with a community or technical college:
AJAC: Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships
Columbia Basin Electrical Training Alliance
Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Trades Apprenticeship Training
Machinists Institute
Washington State Fire Fighters J.A.T.C.
Washington State Meatcutters and Fishmongers
The following colleges are participating in the pilot rollout. WSAC anticipates expanding to more schools throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
Spokane Community College
Columbia Basin College
Everett Community College
South Seattle College
Renton Technical College
Bates Technical College
Not an apprentice yet? What to know:
WSAC does not place or hire apprentices. Apprentices are hired directly by employers. Use the tabs below to help you discover more about beginning an apprenticeship program.
Apprenticeships in Washington
Apprenticeships in Washington
An apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with job-related instruction from experienced workers who teach you the skills of their craft. Apprentices learn job skills, gain experience, and ultimately earn a credential.
Most apprenticeships are designed for high school graduates or job seekers with a GED, but some are for high school students.
Whether you want an office job or something outdoors, work in a city or somewhere in rural Washington, there are apprenticeship opportunities waiting for you.
For information on getting started as an apprentice, visit the
Department of Labor & Industries’ resource page
on becoming an apprentice.
Veterans and miliary-connected family members, visit the
Washington Department of Veteran’s Affair’s apprenticeship resource page
Financial aid for apprentices
Financial aid for apprentices
WA Grant and WA Grant for Apprenticeship
WA Grant is one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country. Recent high school graduates and working-age adults from income-eligible families can qualify to receive money for college or career training. There are two categories of WA Grant: WA Grant and WA Grant for Apprenticeship (WG-A). Both help income-eligible apprentices pay for tuition, fees, and materials.
WA Grant:
Apprenticeships on a college campus
For apprenticeships that are part of an eligible program of study at an eligible institution, such as a community or technical college, apprentices should complete a
financial aid application
. Learn more on the
WA Grant
page.
WA Grant for Apprenticeship:
Apprenticeships sponsored by employers
Apprentices in non-campus-based programs are encouraged to check with their program sponsor to ensure they participate in WCG-A. Sponsors must complete the intake process and have approval to take part in WCG-A to be eligible to offer funds to eligible apprentices. Interested sponsors can learn more on the
WG-A Apprenticeship Program Providers
page.
Passport to Careers
Passport
to Apprenticeship supports youth and young adults, ages 13-21, who have experienced foster care or unaccompanied homelessness. The program supports people in registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs. Funds can cover tuition and fees for classes, and occupational costs like work clothes and tools. To learn more, please contact
passport@wsac.wa.gov
Resources
Resources
Use the
Career Connect Washington Directory
and
Career Bridge
to find a career exploration, preparation, or on-the-job learning opportunity near you.
Explore Apprenticeship
: Learn more about apprenticeships in Washington, and why on-the-job learning might be right for you.
Find an Apprenticeship Program
: Search for an apprenticeship program by county and occupation, by name, or by employer on the LNI website.
Veterans and Military-Connected Family Members: Visit the
Washington Department of Veteran’s Affairs Apprenticeship resource page
Contact - WA Grant for Apprenticeship
Apprentices contact:
wga@wsac.wa.gov
Sponsors contact:
apprenticeship@wsac.wa.gov
888.535.0747, option 9
Resources - WA Grant for Apprenticeship
Flyers & Handouts
WG-A  Apprentice Flyer (PDF, 262.53 KB)
Pathways Flyer (PDF, 191.65 KB)
Websites
L&I: Apprenticeship Preparation
L&I: Become an Apprentice
WSAC: Plan Your Future
Documents:
Registering for a Statewide Vendor Number (SWVN) (PDF, 417.8 KB)
Setting up a WSAC Portal Account (PDF, 176.27 KB)