Protecting Access to Washington State Financial Aid

Gonzaga University is deeply committed to providing talented students with merit and need-based financial aid and helping students and families achieve their educational and professional goals. Access for all qualified students is central to our Jesuit, Catholic and humanistic mission of educating students for lives of leadership and service for the common good. The Gonzaga Access Pledge (GAP) exemplifies our commitment to expanding opportunity for Washington students with significant financial need. Through a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid, GAP covers the full cost of tuition each year. Gonzaga is committed to supporting currently enrolled GAP students. However, recent cuts in state funding jeopardize the long-term viability of this program and threaten our ability to sustain it.

Students enrolled in the GAP program are not the only ones impacted. These cuts have far-reaching implications for college affordability, not only for hundreds of Gonzaga students, but for thousands across the state. Many high-potential students from low-income backgrounds depend on need-based aid from Washington to pursue their academic and professional goals. Without it, access narrows, and the promise of higher education becomes increasingly out of reach.

This is not a political issue—it is a matter of mission and purpose. 

Impact of State Aid Cuts

The Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship programs were created to help families invest in their futures. However, Washington state lawmakers have voted to reduce financial aid for students from low-income families attending not-for-profit colleges and universities like Gonzaga.

These cuts slash support from the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship programs. Students at any of the state’s nine independent colleges, including Gonzaga University, will now receive only 50% of the average tuition assistance awarded to students at public universities. At Gonzaga, 850 students rely on the Washington College Grant and College Bound scholarships, and the cuts represent an estimated $2.6 million loss in state aid beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Gonzaga Has You Covered

To give you peace of mind, we want you to know that your 2026-2027 financial aid package will not be impacted by reductions to the state grant programs. Even as conversations about the Washington College Grant continue, you can plan with confidence knowing that Gonzaga will step in to ensure your 2026-2027 aid and beyond won’t be impacted by these cuts. Gonzaga is committed to covering the difference so that your financial aid remains whole. We are deeply grateful to Gonzaga’s Board of Trustees, leadership, and benefactors, whose commitment makes this support possible. Financial Aid's Washington College Grant Cuts Q&A explains what the changes mean, how Gonzaga will support continuing students, and how you can join in advocating for future Zags. If you have questions or want to talk through your financial aid, please reach out to us.

• Schedule an Appointment
• Email Financial Aid
• Visit the Crosby Student Center Suite 001.

Gonzaga's Commitment

Gonzaga is actively advocating against these drastic cuts, both individually and through our membership in the Independent Colleges of Washington. We are committed to preserving access and opportunity for Washington state students and protecting the economic vitality of our region. Cutting student aid not only harms current and future students and restricts access to education, it also impacts our communities and undermines the future of Washington’s workforce.

• Students: If you are studying at a not-for-profit college, this affects your future—and your voice is essential.
• Families and friends: If you believe students should attend the college that best fits their needs, we need your support.

Current Gonzaga Students:
If you have questions about your financial aid or need support navigating these changes, please reach out to Gonzaga’s Student Financial Services team. We are here to provide assistance and reassurance.

Take Action Now

SaveStudentAid.org
Join the chorus of voices urging Governor Ferguson to restore student aid funding in the state's supplemental budget. We also need your voice. As we advocate for restoring the Washington College Grant for current and future Zags, your story can make a real difference.

Share Your Financial Aid Experience
If you are willing, please share how the Washington College Grant has positively shaped your Gonzaga experience. Your perspective strengthens our advocacy and helps ensure support for the students who will follow in your footsteps. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Independent Colleges of Washington Resource Guide
If you’ve never done advocacy work before, here are some resources that will help you think about how to engage with the legislative process.