Approved Programs
The following programs have been approved for federal financial aid for those who qualify:
12-month AOS degree in Traditional Wooden Boatbuilding
12-month AOS degree in Contemporary Wooden Boatbuilding
6-month Diploma in Marine Systems
We are Approved for Federal Student Aid
How to Apply for Federal Student Aid
OUR FEDERAL SCHOOL CODE: 041550
We are approved for Federal Student Aid including Direct Student Loans and Pell Grants.
Students who wish to apply for Federal Student Aid (FSA) will need to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form online at www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa.
NWSWB does not impose a deadline for completing the FASFA but it is highly recommended that students apply for financial aid concurrent with enrollment.
Students can find information and apply for Federal Financial Aid, Pell Grants, and Direct Student Loans at www.studentaid.ed.gov. For more information, please reach out to NWSWB’s Business Office at 360-385-4948 ext. 302 or email katie@nwswb.edu.
Student loan programs from private lending sources may be available. A comprehensive annotated collection of information about student financial aid can be found at www.finaid.org and at the Federal Student Aid website. There are also videos on YouTube that provide additional information about how to apply for Federal Student Aid – access them by clicking here or the link below.

Changes to the FAFSA process
USE EARLIER INCOME AND TAX INFORMATION: Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students will be required to report income and tax information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2021–2022 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2019 income and tax information, rather than their 2020 income and tax information.
This applies to students who will be beginning their program in the fall of 2021. Students (and parents, as appropriate) must use the ‘Link to the IRS’ feature when completing the online FAFSA application at www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa.
U.S. Department of Education’s Net Price Calculator
In accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended (20 U.S.C. § 1015a), beginning on October 29, 2011, each postsecondary institution in the United States that participates in Title IV federal student aid programs and enrolls full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduate students is required to post a net price calculator on its website. It is based on information from the most current completed academic year (class of 2015).
Calculations are based on the parameters for a first time, first year student during a standard academic school year. This means that the summer quarter is not included in the calculator’s calculations. Results are dependent on the accuracy and completeness of the information entered and is intended to provide only a general guide to your eligibility for financial aid. Any award is not guaranteed by NWSWB and is meant to be an indication of the aid you may be eligible to receive. This is not an application for financial aid. Your information will not be retained or transmitted to NWSWB in any way.
We are Approved for Veterans Education Benefits/ GI Bill®
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding is designated a Veteran Supportive Campus by the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs. Education benefits are available to U.S. Military Veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and services. The school is not able to tell you what benefits you are eligible to receive. You must contact the VA for information about your benefits. To obtain this information, visit www.gibill.va.gov. To apply for benefits online, you may complete a VONAPP (Veterans Online Application) at www.ebenefits.va.gov or download and complete VA Form 22-1990 (Application for VA Education Benefits) and mail it to the VA. All instructions are included with the form.
For specific GI Bill® questions, or to receive VA From 22-1990 by mail, please contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551.
Applicants should forward a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) with their completed enrollment application to:
Admissions
360-385-4948 ext. 305
admissions@nwswb.edu
Veterans Frequently Asked Questions
Factors to Consider When Choosing a School: A guide before using the GI Bill®
Women Veterans Health Care Call Center
Tuition Work Exchange Program (TWEP)
This is administered by the school and is not the same as the Federal Work-Study Program. TWEP is structured so that students can work at the school in exchange for a reduction in their quarterly tuition. Students earn one TWEP credit for each hour of work. TWEP credits earned are applied quarterly to a student’s account and are used to reduce tuition up to $750 a quarter. The TWEP exchange rate for the 2019-2020 school year is $14.65 per hour based on the following formula: Quarterly tuition $5,350 / 365 clock hours = $14.65.
If you have been accepted to the school and are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Heidi Blehm, Admissions and Student Services Manager at heidi.blehm@nwswb.edu. Interested students may apply during their first quarter on campus. School staff will conduct in-person interviews to choose one or two students for the program.
Students will be supervised and work under the direction of the Shop & Facilities Manager.
Tax Credits May Be Available
Visit www.irs.gov and enter “education credits” in the search box for details. Please consult the IRS website and with your tax consultant if you have detailed questions about this opportunity.
Alaskan Student Loans
Our school meets the criteria for Alaskan student loans. Information for Alaskan residents is made available through the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education.–
Canadian Student Loans
Our school meets the criteria for Canadian student loans. Information for Canadian residents is available through the National Student Loans Service Centre.
Additional Canadian resources:
- Alberta Learning Information Service
- British Columbia: Ministry of Advanced Education
- Manitoba: Advanced Education and Training
- Ontario Ministry of Education
- Nova Scotia Department of Education
Additional Resources
Resources for Hispanic Students
Resources for Minority Students