Student Benefits Navigator

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office at Wenatchee Valley College is available to assist students in applying for all types of financial assistance; including grants, work study opportunities, veteran benefits, scholarships and student loans.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid):

Government form that current and future college students can fill out to determine if they are eligible for financial aid from the federal government. It is available for students to apply each year.

By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you will automatically be considered for most federal and state aid and all funds that Wenatchee Valley College offers.

WASFA (Washington State Financial Aid)

Any student who does not have a social security number and wishes to apply for Washington State aid must complete a Washington State Financial Aid (WASFA) application.  Those who have an ITIN (issued by the IRS for tax purposes) should enter the ITIN in the SSN field of the WASFA.  If you have neither an SSN or ITIN, a WASFA id will be assigned to you.  

Any student with a social security number issued by the Social Security Administration (even those issued with a work restriction) may file a FAFSA, which can be used to determine eligibility for Washington state aid. 

There are four general types of aid:

• Gift Aid (Grants)
• Loans
• Work Study
• Scholarships

Student Grants Center

The Student Grants Center has 5 grants that can help eligible students pay for their education. The Student Benefits Navigator can help you get connected to:

• BFET:
  • The Basic Food Employment and Training program (BFET) provides services to federal Basic Food assistance recipients in Washington state. Services provided include job search assistance, education and skills training, English language instruction, and in certain cases, support for tuition, childcare, housing, supplies, and other related expenses.
• SSEH:
  • The Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH) Grant assists students experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, or students that were in foster care at the time of graduating from high school.
  • ANY current Wenatchee Valley College student who meets one of the eligibility requirements may be able to receive support from this grant, regardless of which program you are enrolled in. 

To see if you qualify for any of the grants offered at the Student Grants Center, please fill out their interest survey at the link below. A staff member will reach out to you with more information on your eligibility.

Student Grants Center Interest Survey

Emergency Grants

The WVC Counseling Department has emergency grants available for eligible students who need assistance with tuition, fees, books, technology needs, course materials, food, housing, gas, unexpected auto repairs, daycare, and other expenses. 

If you would like to get in contact with them directly, please contact WVC Counseling at counseling@wvc.edu 

The Student Benefits Navigator can help you get connected to community housing supports (Chelan, Douglas, and Okangogan County). Currently, many of the housing programs require a Coordinated Entry referral. To do that, you would need to fill out this Coordinated Entry Intake Form.

• HopeSource:
  • If you are experiencing homelessness or concerned about staying in your current housing, the Homeless Housing Network can help. A client advocate will assist you.  
• Chelan Valley Hope:
  • Provides assistance, advocacy, and referral service to under-resourced families and individuals throughout the Greater Chelan Valley. Helping individuals and families in crisis access basic needs like emergency shelter, utilities and rent assistance, food and transportation vouchers, food, clothing, and other social and health services. 
• Chelan Douglas Community Action Council/Okanogan County Community Action Council:
  • Provides assistance with home repair, housing, weatherization.  
• The Women's Resource Center:
  • Provides individuals and families experiencing poverty and homelessness with the housing and supportive services they need to be part of a healthy, diverse community.
• YWCA:
  • Provides emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing services.
• FYRE: 
  • Foundation for Youth Resiliency & Engagement
  • Serves people ages 12-24 across Okanogan County
  • Covers four areas: 1) education, 2) physical and mental health, 3) basic needs and 4) resiliency programming. 

For more information on other available resources, please fill out the Needs/Assistance Intake form or send an email at molguinramos@wvc.edu.

The Student Benefits Navigator can help you get connected to the Knights Kupboard and community food pantries/banks.

Knights Kupboard:

• Wenatchee:
  • When: Tuesdays 10:00am -1:00pm and Thursdays  from 12:00 -3:00 p.m. 
  • To access the WVC campus food pantry outside of normal operating hours, please send an email at molguinramos@wvc.edu or click on the link to schedule your visit with the Student Benefits Navigator: Knight's Kupboard Access
• Omak: 
  • When: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00-1:00. Refer to the administration desk for access at other times during the week. 
  • Where: Administration building (downstairs), room 121.

Community Food Pantries:

For more information on other available food pantries, please fill out the Needs/Assistance Intake form or send an email at molguinramos@wvc.edu.