FAQ

Find answers to all your questions about Washington Passport Network and the programs our practitioners support

The Washington Passport Network (WPN) is a statewide collective impact initiative committed to supporting students from foster care, unaccompanied homeless youth, and the adult professionals they rely on. Members include practitioners and staff from colleges and universities, government agencies, and nonprofits. WPN provides information, knowledge and tools to improve practices and student outcomes.

The WPN is facilitated by staff from the College Success Foundation (CSF) in partnership with the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). We also rely on the Passport Leadership Team and Regional Passport Groups, which are led by members of the WPN.

Reach out to us! Join our email list to stay up to date on all the events, trainings, and news from around the WPN. We also encourage you to connect with your regional group and attend meetings.

If you are a professional working to support students from foster care, or those experiencing unaccompanied homelessness, in accessing, persisting, or completing post-secondary education or apprenticeships in Washington state, then we consider you a member of the Washington Passport Network. There are no participation requirements – you can be as actively involved as you choose.

The WPN is a great way to connect with other practitioners around the state that help students who’ve experienced foster care or unaccompanied homelessness reach their postsecondary goals. We offer trainings, an annual conference, networking opportunities, technical support and more. There’s no membership fee or participation requirements, so it’s a low-barrier way to build community with like-minded professionals in your region and across Washington.

The Passport to Careers program is a publicly-funded scholarship and support program that helps Washington students—specifically those who have been in various types of foster care or who have experienced unaccompanied homelessness—prepare for careers. Help includes money to put toward the costs of earning a college certificate or degree or job training through a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program. Help also includes experts to help answer your questions and navigate your pathway.

If you are eligible, you have the choice of two education pathways: one leads to a college degree or certificate, and one leads to an apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program.

Passport to College: Students who have been accepted into a participating college and are working toward a first bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or certificate may receive:

  • A scholarship that assists with college costs, including tuition, fees, room, board, books, personal expenses, and transportation.
  • Potential support services provided by their college’s Passport Designated Support Staff (DSS).

Passport to Apprenticeship: Students who want a job in a skilled trade, which can include many types of jobs from aerospace manufacturing to healthcare, have two options:

  • A pre-apprenticeship preparation program, which prepares young people for entry into state-approved apprenticeship programs.
  • An apprenticeship training program, where they are paid to work while a master craftsman teaches them the skills needed to be an expert in the field. Apprenticeships may include classroom lectures. Youth who are at least 16 years old may qualify for apprenticeships.

Explore eligible colleges that are participating with Passport to College here and find out who is the Passport campus staff contact using our Passport directory.

Explore eligible pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs here to get started. Contact passport@anewcareer.org if you have any questions or visit ANEW’s Passport to Apprenticeship web page to find out more information.

Check out this toolkit (link to come) for the steps to starting Passport to Careers on your campus. For more information, connect with WSAC.

You are eligible for Passport to Careers if you:

  • Experienced state, federal or tribal foster care in Washington after the age of 13, or unaccompanied homelessness during the prior academic year or later
  • Are enrolled at least half-time in an eligible college or registered pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program by your 21st birthday
  • Maintain Washington residency
  • If on Passport to College track, you must also:
  • Be working toward a certificate, associate or first bachelor’s degree
  • Continue to make satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the college you attend.

Find additional resources:

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, and priority consideration for the Washington College Grant and Washington State Work Study programs.

Learn more about eligible colleges that have the Passport Program on their campus here. If your school of choice is a participating institution, you can find who your Passport Designated Support Staff is by using our Passport directory.

You are eligible for Passport to College if you:

  • Experienced state, federal or tribal foster care in Washington after the age of 13, or unaccompanied homelessness during the prior academic year or later
  • Are enrolled at least half-time in an eligible college or registered pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program by your 21st birthday
  • Maintain Washington residency
  • If on Passport to College track, you must also:
  • Be working toward a certificate, associate or first bachelor’s degree
  • Continue to make satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the college you attend.

Your high school counselor, SETuP providers, or a Passport campus support staff can help you through the college admissions process. Ask for help so you don’t feel overwhelmed!

Passport to Careers financial aid must be used at an eligible college in Washington State. Identify colleges that offer the path you are most interested in taking. 

Attend college fairs where you can talk to campus staff and learn more about their schools. You can also arrange to visit the college campus—ask your SETuP provider or school counselor for help. Contact passport@wsac.wa.gov if you have any questions about the college admissions process.

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. 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. 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.

Please contact passport@anewcareer.org if you have any questions or visit ANEW’s Passport to Apprenticeship web page to find out more information.

You are eligible for Passport to Apprenticeship if you:

  • Experienced state, federal or tribal foster care in Washington after the age of 13, or unaccompanied homelessness during the prior academic year or later
  • Are enrolled at least half-time in an eligible college or registered pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program by your 21st birthday
  • Maintain Washington residency

Please fill out this form to get started!

  • Stay in the know! Join ANEW’s newsletter. Sign up here. 
  • Check out ANEW’s resources page to see if apprenticeships are right for you.

There are 201 apprenticeship programs in WA state. There are roughly 13 apprenticeship sectors including but not limited to:

  • Automotive
  • Beauty trades
  • Construction trades
  • Culinary
  • Custodial
  • Firefighting
  • Healthcare
  • Landscape
  • Machinist
  • Manufacturing
  • Maritime
  • Special education
  • Software/IT
  • Veterinary

You can learn more about how to search for an apprenticeship program here. 

A pre-apprenticeship program is a preparation stage. It helps you gain basic skills and knowledge before starting an apprenticeship. It gives you foundational skills, hands-on practice, and industry knowledge that set you up for success in an apprenticeship and beyond. It’s your first step into the world of career development.

An apprenticeship program is where you build on those skills in a job setting. You earn while you learn — getting paid to gain hands-on experience, work alongside skilled professionals, and continue growing your expertise in your career.

Check out ANEW’s Client Experience Video here!

The Passport to Apprenticeship pathway is managed in partnership with ANEW. Connect with Apprenticeship Navigator Halley Shriber if you have additional questions.