You can receive your first quarter of Opportunity Grant funding without filing a FAFSA, but continued eligibility for the Opportunity Grant requires that you apply for financial aid through filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Click here for the financial aid application steps and priority consideration dates.
Note: The FAFSA usually becomes available online each year starting October 1st, but for the 2024-25 academic year it will be delayed; it should be available by December 31, 2023. To learn more about the significant changes being made to the upcoming 24-25 FAFSA please click here.
The Opportunity Grant Overview:
The Opportunity Grant program assists low-income Washington state residents who have not yet earned a degree (Associate or higher). The Opportunity Grant program at Peninsula College can provide funding for tuition/fees and books/supplies for eligible adults for up to 45 credits in the following programs:
- Addiction Studies* (degree/certificates)
- Administrative Office Systems - Accounting
- Administrative Office Systems - Administrative Assistant (degree/certificates)
- Administrative Office Systems - Medical (degree/certificates)
- Automotive Technology - Service Technician
- Construction Technology* (degree/certificates)
- Criminal Justice (degree/certificate)
- Cybersecurity
- Early Childhood* (degree/certificate)
- EMT
- Information Technology
- Medical Assistant* (degree/certificate)
- Medical Office Assistant* (degree/certificate)
- NAC
- Nursing
- Phlebotomy
- Welding Technology* (degree/certificates)
Eligibility Criteria:
- 18 years or older
- Income eligible based on financial need
- Have earned less than an Associates Degree
- Completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (WA Application for State Financial Aid) that shows financial need
- Willing to enroll in a 2-3 credit OG support class* during the academic year you are receiving OG funding.
*This class has not been offered lately, and it is not anticipated to be offered in the near future. - Washington State Resident
*Non-citizens can receive Opportunity Grant funds if they meet the eligibility guidelines. Noncitizen students unable to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) due to immigration status may instead complete the free Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). - Must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.
To Apply: Opportunity Grant Application
Applications submitted before, during, or immediately after Summer quarter will be reviewed at the start of Fall quarter.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Eric Dieterle
Opportunity Grant Coordinator
EDieterle@pencol.edu
(360) 417-6342