Washington (the state, not DC (though DC is excellent too)) is home to a number of excellent colleges and universities, and has a booming tech industry. This industry has a need for highly educated and highly skilled workers, from engineers and computer scientists to marketers and business savants. Washington state, therefore, has a lot of incentives to ensure an educated and skilled workforce, and helping their citizens attend college is a great way to do this. In this article then, we’re going to look at the scholarships high school students in Washington can avail themselves of, and how these can help you afford the cost of college. Let’s get started!
Washington College Grant
Washington’s premier financial aid program is also one of the most generous in the country, a need based grant designed to increase access to college for low and middle income students. This is a very flexible program as well, with funding options for a range of incomes and programs, from traditional college to vocational training.
In order to be eligible for this program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a resident of Washington (information on qualifying here)
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Not already possess a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Meet the income requirements (see here, based on family size)
- You are enrolled in a participating college
Award amounts from this vary based on both the kind of school you are attending, and your family size and income. The goal is to give funding commensurate with need; for students attending public schools, the program often gives enough funding to cover the entire cost of tuition.
In order to apply for this grant, you must complete either the FAFSA, or the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid), which is intended for Washington residents who cannot complete the FAFSA. You may fill out both of these. There is no further application required besides this; awards will be determined and granted based on financial eligibility and the college you are attending.
We advise all students who are residents of Washington state to complete the FAFSA or WASFA, as this is a generous aid program. Students from families earning up to $78,000 can get the full cost of tuition at a public college funded, and students from families earning up to $130,000 can still receive some funding, making this an excellent opportunity for middle class students.
State Work Study
This program is akin to federal work-study programs, where students gain an approved job on or off campus which is subsidized by financial aid dollars. The income from this then helps students defray the cost of attending college. These are smaller awards; amounts vary, but they are generally between $2,000 and $5,000 annually. This funding is meant to help with costs associated with college, such as living expenses, as much as it to help with tuition.
You must be a resident of Washington and enrolled at least half time in a participating college to receive this funding. You must also be legally eligible to work in the US (though you do not need to be a citizen). You must maintain satisfactory academic progress, and may not be pursuing a degree in theology.
Applications are simple; students are automatically considered for state work study after they complete the WASFA or FAFSA. Those who are found to be eligible are offered the award and funding. You must complete the financial aid application each year to continue receiving this funding.
Passport to Careers
This program is for Washington students who were in foster care in the state or who were homeless without a parent or guardian. The program has two paths, one which helps with funding for a college degree, and one which provides funding while students pursue a vocational apprenticeship.
This program provides a significant amount of funding, which can go both towards tuition costs, and towards living expenses while in school. You must maintain both Washington residency and good standing in your chosen program to maintain your eligibility for this program and funding.
There is a special form you must complete to apply for this aid program. Once this is done, you must also complete the FAFSA or WASFA, and make sure you complete any questions about foster care or homelessness accurately. You must complete the FAFSA or WASFA each year to maintain eligibility.
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
This is a scholarship for students who are entering high demand fields in Washington, specifically those related to STEM fields or healthcare. There are several different scholarships, supporting students in both undergraduate education and vocational programs.
The bachelors program provides up to $22,500 worth of total funding; this can be applied to both tuition costs, and other costs associated with an education, such as fees, housing, or transportation. This funding can be used towards STEM or healthcare majors at any eligible public or private college in Washington. In order to be eligible for this program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a resident of Washington
- Demonstrate financial need; this means your family’s income must be 125% or lower than the median state income
- Must have earned a high school credential from a school in Washington
- Must not have a prior bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and must be enrolled and in good standing at a college in Washington
- Must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 out of 4.0
There is a separate application for this scholarship program, this must be completed online. In addition to this, you must complete the FAFSA or WASFA; you only need to apply for the scholarship once, but must complete the FAFSA or WASFA each year.
Opportunity Grant
This grant is offered by the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, and provides funding for up to one year of schooling for students who are aiming at a high-demand, high-paying field. This funding is only for students attending a community or technical college in Washington.
You must be a Washington resident and within 200% of the federal poverty line to qualify for this grant. This grant covers tuition funding, along with up to $1,000 for required books and supplies for your education. The scholarship also seeks to provide tutoring and career advising courses, with a goal of ensuring recipients are directly able to enter a high demand career after finishing their program of studies.
You must complete the FAFSA or WASFA in order to apply, and have unmet financial need; that is, need not covered by other grant programs. Applications are done through your college; speak with the financial aid office on campus to apply.
American Indian Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship funding is specifically for students in Washington who have ties to a recognized American Indian community in the state. The program prioritizes upper division and graduate students, but all students who are eligible are considered. Awards are for $500 to $2,000 dollars, and may be renewed for up to five years, though you need to apply each year to continue receiving funding.
You must demonstrate financial need, and intend to benefit the American Indian community with your degree. You may not be majoring in theology. Approximately 10-15 recipients are chosen annually. The application must be filled out and mailed in. You must also complete the FAFSA each year.
Teacher Programs
These are a number of programs designed to enable students to pursue degrees in teaching, offering financial support with the understanding that students will work in Washington state in an area of high need once they graduate. In general, these programs take the form of loans, which are then forgiven once an agreed upon period of work for a qualified employer.
These programs cover several different areas of education, from general K-12 teachers, to more specialized roles like paraprofessionals. There are additional grants available for student teachers at underserved programs.
Each of these aid awards has its own application, which must be completed online. These are only open to residents of Washington who are willing to commit to teaching in Washington. In general, you must also complete the FAFSA or WASFA in order to apply for these funding programs.
Washington Health Corps
These are loan repayment programs for healthcare professionals, primarily nurses, who are working in areas of high need in Washington. These are not direct funding for educational expenses, but can provide funding to help pay off student loans. This funding is contingent on a period of work at an area of high need within Washington.
These applications are tied to the sites where you are working; certain healthcare sites are eligible for their workers to benefit from these programs. If your site is eligible, then you may apply to the program.
Independent Financial Aid
Alongside state-backed aid programs, there exist many third party scholarships, which serve to help students attend colleges. These can be for varying amounts of money, and often have other requirements attached to them, but can help students afford the ever increasing cost of an education.
Here is a selection of these scholarships which are meant specifically for students in Washington.
McGoldrick Scholarship Program
This program (also called the MEM scholarship) is open to students from either Washington or Colorado; students must have lived in one of those states for the junior and senior years of high school. This scholarship is based on both need and merit, and provides $25,000 a year for qualified educational expenses, including tuition, room and board, and fees.
This scholarship money may be used towards any accredited college or university in the US or abroad. You must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply:
- Have lived in Washington or Colorado for your entire junior and senior year of high school
- Be a US citizen, or in the process of becoming a citizen
- Have a GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, and have at least a 28 on the ACT or a 1200 on the SAT
- Demonstrate financial need by having a family income of less than $150,000
Applications must be submitted online by October 15; they have their own application portal. The scholarship is looking for academically talented students who meet their values, namely dedication to their communities, appreciation for the arts, and devotion to environmental causes. This is a very competitive scholarship.
The Greater Seattle Business Association Scholarship
Run by the Greater Seattle Business Association (as you might expect), this is a scholarship specifically for Washington residents (not just those from Seattle itself). The program primarily awards funding for students pursuing undergraduate and associates degrees, but there are some awards for graduate students.
Every year, the scholarship opens on October 11, and is due by January 10. While all Washington residents are eligible to apply, they especially encourage LGBT+ community members and allies to apply, as the scholarship has the specific purpose of bolstering that community and their allies.
They specifically look for your academic interests and goals, that you are actively involved in your community (and bettering it), and what challenges you have faced. Note that this is not a need-based scholarship, but need may be considered. Their goal is to fund a new generation of leaders in a variety of fields.
Junior League of Tacoma Scholarship
This scholarship is specifically for female students in Pierce County, Washington. The scholarship offers two $2,500 awards annually to students pursuing a two-year or four-year degree; these awards are non-renewable. Applications may be submitted by mail or electronically, and are due by February 1.
In order to be eligible for this scholarship, you must identify as a woman, be attending school in Pierce county currently, be enrolled in good standing, and demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to students with one year or less before they finish their academic programs.
Final Thoughts
College is an expensive thing, and even students who are attending public colleges often end up paying tens of thousands of dollars per year, which is a heavy burden to deal with. There are, however, ways to alleviate this stress, and Washington state has done a significant amount to relieve this burden on students. We hope that this article has shown you the possibilities there, and how these can help you afford your own college career.
If you are looking for advice on your applications, or on finding the right financial aid strategy for you, then Ivy Scholars can help. Our mentors are experts at helping students navigate every step of the application process, and we love hearing from students like you. Schedule a free consultation today to learn how we can make your educational journey smoother.
