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Washington State Aid: Passport to Careers - All About It

In This Lesson:

Over the past several years, a team of organizations worked together to create the College & Career Knowledge Project, consisting of digital handouts compiled into a workbook designed to support college and career education planning. Full workbooks can be ordered through the 12th Year Campaign, and digital copies are also available.

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Access the most up-to-date College and Career Knowledge materials on this website.

To compliment the materials, we have created lessons for each section in the workbook. These lessons contain specific content, a short activity, and resources from the workbook. Educators are able to make their own copy of each lesson and edit it to include specific details about their school and community. Each lesson should take about 20-30 minutes to be delivered during core-content or advisory class.

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Access the most up-to-date month-to-month College and Career Knowledge lessons by grade level on this document.

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Washington State Aid:

Passport to Careers - All About It

College and Career Knowledge Materials

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OCTOBER | GRADE

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All About Passport to Careers

Passport to Careers is designed to help former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth prepare for careers. Help includes money for a degree or certificate or job training. Help also includes experts to help answer questions and navigate your pathway.

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All About Passport to Careers

The Passport to Careers program will help:

• Figure out what job would be a good fit for you.
• Provide money to pay for college or training to help you get that job.
• Provide money for living expenses while you are in college or job training.

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Passport to Careers has two sub-programs:

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• Passport to College: Leads to college degree or certificate
• Passport to Apprenticeship Opportunities: Leads to apprenticeships or pre- apprenticeship program

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Passport to College

The Passport to College Promise Scholarship pathway will give you a scholarship that helps with:

• The cost of earning a college certificate or degree (tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, and some personal expenses)
• Support services from college staff
• Priority consideration for the Washington College Grant and Washington State Work Study programs.

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With additional money awarded from other financial aid programs, your costs will likely be paid for at most Washington State colleges.

The college’s financial aid office will administer your funding.

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The Washington State Work Study program will give priority to eligible students in the Passport to Careers program, which means you will be considered first for available jobs. The Federal Work Study program may also be offered, but with no priority feature.

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Passport to Apprenticeships

The Passport to Apprenticeship Opportunities pathway will help with costs if you are in an eligible apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program, including: tuition for classes, fees, work clothes, rain gear, boots, and occupation-related tools.

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If your program is not at a college, a WSAC-appointed organization experienced with apprenticeships will administer your funding and provide staff to support you.

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If you are enrolled in an apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program at a community or technical college, you might receive your Passport to Careers funds from either the campus financial aid office or the appointed organization, depending on your specific program.

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Eligibility

You are eligible for Passport to Careers financial aid and support services if you:

1. Meet the criteria for former foster youth or unaccompanied homeless youth.

2. Are enrolled (or will enroll) at least half-time in an eligible college or registered pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program by your 21st birthday.

3. Maintain Washington residency.

4. Meet the following additional criteria if in the Passport to College track:

a. Are working toward a certificate, associate degree, or first bachelor’s degree. You may not receive the scholarship if you are pursuing a degree in theology.

b. Continue to make satisfactory academic progress as defined by the college you attend.

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Receiving Financial Aid

For Passport to Careers

Apply Here: Passport.ConsentForm.pdf (wa.gov)

You can apply to financial aid and receive financial aid as a foster care student, as an independent under 24 year-old student, as a student experiencing homelessness, or an unaccompanied minor.

There may be additional steps and documentation, but it is possible and financial aid staff are there to help you!

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Additional Resources

Answers to common questions: Passport.Student.FAQs.pdf (wa.gov)

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Find an expert & other online resources: Passport to Careers Guide: Resource Guide | WSAC (wa.gov)

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Need more help? Have Questions? Contact passport@wsac.wa.gov or 1-888-535-0747, option 3

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Visit the Passport to Careers webpage Passport to Careers Guide | WSAC (wa.gov)

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Need Additional Support?

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For additional information and support on this topic, please reach out to:

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