What options appeal to you after high school?
Do you want to work right now?
You’ve thought about it a lot and going to school just isn’t appealing to you right now. You know of some friends
who went straight into jobs and are thriving. Maybe you need to acquire certain skills and would be willing to
spend some extra time learning, but would like to enter the workforce as soon as possible.
Here are some organizations that might be able to help.
Recommend a resource
READY FOR WORK RESOURCES
Job Seeking:
A gateway for job-seeking needs, including interviewing skills assistance, career training locations, and employment searches
Apprenticeship:
Apprenticeship preparation opportunities as an alternative to college, ranging from carpentry to aerospace
www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/apprenticeship/become-an-apprentice#youth
Entrepreneurship:
Free consultation, connection to resources, and an online guide for starting and operating your own business
https://www.business.wa.gov/site/alias__business/875/Home.aspx
Do you want to get training for a specific type of work?
You have a plan and an idea of what type of job you’re looking for.
Maybe you see yourself working in salon, in construction, or in a hospital setting, for example, but you don’t want a long-term school commitment.
Exploring certification programs could be a great fit for where you are.
Recommend a resource
JOB TRAINING RESOURCES
Tools to help research career information, trainings, and jobs
An interactive tool to help learn about career options
A search tool to identify similar career paths from previous work experience
Tools for career exploration and job analysis
An organized list of occupational data and information
Provides young adults with support, experience, career training, and higher education in five different technical career tracks, as well as opportunities for paid internships and college credit
Nationwide residential career training programs for young people (ages 16 to 24), including employment and educational needs support
Do you want to continue your education?
You want to continue your education but you have some lingering questions. You may know exactly what
degree you want to pursue, or maybe you don’t. You might need to talk to someone about how financial
aid works or what college would be the best fit for you. Depending on your needs, there are many
different avenues to explore to help you get clear on your next academic adventure.
Recommend a resource
EDUCATION RESOURCES
A tool to locate and gather information on colleges across the United States
Database of college accredited information
Help for low-income individuals (ages 16 to 29), to build their own path to higher education and beyond
Information on preparing and paying for college, repaying loans, internship, jobs, and volunteering
A guide for becoming a student, completing high school diplomas, paying for college, transferring to universities, and starting a career with one or more of Washington’s 34 listed community and technical colleges
Provides planning resources for higher education and other resources for college students
Publications, fact sheets, online tools, and other resources to help you prepare and pay for college or career school
- Complete the FAFSA by visiting https://fafsa.ed.gov/. For more detailed information on how to complete the FAFSA see https://www.wcan.org/wp-content/uploads/collegeknowledge-fafsa-english.pdf
- Complete the WASFA if you are not eligible for the federal financial aid because of immigration status. For more information on how to complete the WASFA visit https://readysetgrad.wa.gov/wasfa
- When you complete the FAFSA/WASFA, you will be asked whether you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and “unaccompanied” (meaning not with your parents). Answer the question and continue with the application.
- Look for the question: “On or after X date, were you homeless or were you self-supporting or at risk of becoming homeless?” When you answer “yes” to this question, more questions will open asking you to answer yes/or who or what agency determined your homeless status. Depending on the person or agency you choose, another set of questions will open and ask for the number of people in your household to determine independent status. By answering these questions, you will be able to submit the FAFSA/WASFA without providing information about your parents because you are stating that you are not with your parents.
- Provide a mailing address where you can reliably receive mail. If you don’t have one, check with your McKinney-Vento Liason for options.
- Every year you will be required to provide a verification letter to the Financial Aid office of your housing status. This letter can be completed by the school district homeless liaison, the Director of HUD/RHYA transitional/shelter, or your McKinney-Vento liaison or counselor. Make sure to receive verification of your status before leaving school your senior year. Any of these people can help you stay verified annually.
- Call the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) helpline at (800) 308-2145.
Connects students to in-state and out-of-state scholarship opportunities
Support for low-income, first generation, and underrepresented students to succeed in higher education
- Scholarship resources for students experiencing homelessness:
- SchoolHouse Connection Youth Leadership and Scholarship Program: https://www.schoolhouseconnection.org/youthleadership/scholarship-program/
- Passport to Careers: https://wsac.wa.gov/passport-to-careers
- College Board Scholarship Search: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
- Horatio Alger Association: https://scholars.horatioalger.org/scholarships/about-our-scholarship-programs/
Life can be unpredictable and because of that you may have to figure out how to pay for unexpected needs. Colleges understand unexpected needs, so many of them offer different types of emergency aid to support students. Check with your college’s financial aid office and student services department to see if they offer emergency funding. Emergency funding is provided to students who are experiencing unexpected financial hardships that block them from being successful at school and hinder degree attainment.
Aid comes in a variety of forms that include grants, loans and/or campus resources.
This will not be an easy process, but if you advocate for yourself and stay connected to your support network, getting an education beyond high school can be a reality for you.
A list of two-year community and technical colleges that offer housing
https://www.sbctc.edu/our-colleges/student-life/student-housing.aspx
Washington Information Network (211) Call for human service information, resources, and other assistance to meet transitional housing needs
