Top 28 Education Scholarships and Grants in Washington State
Below is a comprehensive list of the Top 28 Education Scholarships and Grants in Washington State, designed to help students fund their education. Each entry includes the application process, eligibility requirements, key details, and links for seamless application. "Washington State scholarships," "education grants," "financial aid for students," and "college funding opportunities" to ensure visibility.
1. Washington College Grant (WCG)
- Description: One of the most generous need-based financial aid programs, offering up to $12,378 for college, career training, or apprenticeships.
- Eligibility: Washington residents with low to middle income (family income up to $131,000 for a family of four), enrolled in an approved program.
- Application Process: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) by the priority deadline (typically February 28).
- Key Details: Funding varies by family size, income, and program cost; no repayment required.
- Link: Washington Student Achievement Council - WCG
2. Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) - Baccalaureate
- Description: Provides up to $22,500 for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in STEM, health care, or trade fields.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, low to middle income, enrolled in an eligible program, minimum 2.75 GPA.
- Application Process: Apply online via the WSOS portal; submit FAFSA/WASFA and transcripts. Deadline typically February.
- Key Details: Renewable; includes mentorship and career support.
- Link: WSOS Baccalaureate Scholarship
3. Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) - Career & Technical
- Description: Offers up to $1,500 per quarter for certificates, apprenticeships, or associate degrees in high-demand fields.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, enrolled in a technical program, income-eligible.
- Application Process: Apply online; submit FAFSA/WASFA. Deadline typically April 15.
- Key Details: Prorated for part-time students; renewable up to 6 quarters.
- Link: WSOS Career & Technical Scholarship
4. College Bound Scholarship
- Description: Early commitment of state aid (up to full tuition) for low-income students who sign up in middle school.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, signed up in 7th or 8th grade, income at or below 65% of median family income, 2.0 GPA.
- Application Process: Sign pledge in middle school; complete FAFSA/WASFA by June 30 of senior year.
- Key Details: Must graduate high school and attend an eligible institution.
- Link: College Bound Scholarship
5. Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE)
- Description: Recognizes top CTE students with up to $2,500 for further education.
- Eligibility: Washington high school or community college CTE students, nominated by instructors.
- Application Process: Nominated by school; submit application through Workforce Training Board.
- Key Details: Up to 147 awards annually; merit-based.
- Link: WAVE Scholarship
6. American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES)
- Description: Awards $500-$2,000 for students with ties to Washington’s Native American communities.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, full-time enrollment, cultural ties to a tribe, financial need.
- Application Process: Apply via WSAC portal; submit essay, transcripts, and financial aid forms. Deadline typically March.
- Key Details: Renewable for up to 5 years.
- Link: AIES Scholarship
7. Passport to Careers
- Description: Supports foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth with up to $5,000 annually.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, former foster youth or homeless by age 18, enrolled in college or apprenticeship.
- Application Process: Apply through WSAC; submit FAFSA/WASFA and eligibility verification.
- Key Details: Includes housing and counseling support.
- Link: Passport to Careers
8. National Guard Postsecondary Education Grant
- Description: Up to $6,500 for Washington National Guard members pursuing undergraduate degrees.
- Eligibility: Active Guard members, Washington residents, financial need.
- Application Process: Apply via WSAC; submit FAFSA/WASFA and Guard service verification.
- Key Details: Renewable annually.
- Link: National Guard Grant
9. WWIN Star Scholarship
- Description: Offers up to $5,000 per year (max $20,000) for women pursuing bachelor’s degrees.
- Eligibility: Washington women, first bachelor’s degree, financial need, 2.5 GPA.
- Application Process: Apply online; submit essay, recommendation letters, and financial documents. Deadline typically May.
- Key Details: Renewable until graduation.
- Link: WWIN Star Scholarship
10. INCIGHT Scholarship
- Description: Awards $500-$2,500 for students with disabilities.
- Eligibility: Washington, Oregon, or California residents, documented disability, enrolled in higher education.
- Application Process: Apply online; submit essay, proof of disability, and transcripts. Deadline April 15.
- Key Details: Non-renewable; merit-based.
- Link: INCIGHT Scholarship
11. WSU General Scholarship
- Description: Over 700 scholarships (amounts vary) for Washington State University students.
- Eligibility: WSU students, varying criteria (merit, need, major-specific).
- Application Process: Submit WSU General Scholarship Application by January 31.
- Key Details: One application for multiple awards.
- Link: WSU Scholarships
12. UW Presidential Scholarship
- Description: $10,000 award for University of Washington students showing leadership.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, UW freshmen, exceptional leadership/community engagement.
- Application Process: Automatic consideration with UW admission and FAFSA/WASFA by February 28.
- Key Details: Non-renewable; merit-based.
- Link: UW Scholarships
13. Hearthstone Housing Foundation Scholarship
- Description: Up to $5,000 for low-income students in Hearthstone communities.
- Eligibility: Residents of Hearthstone properties, high school or undergrad, financial need.
- Application Process: Apply via Hearthstone website; submit essay and financial docs. Deadline varies.
- Key Details: Renewable with good standing.
- Link: Hearthstone Scholarship
14. West Coast Equine Foundation Scholarship
- Description: Supports students pursuing equine-related careers with up to $2,000.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, equine field studies, academic merit.
- Application Process: Apply online; submit essay and transcripts. Deadline varies.
- Key Details: Non-renewable; equine focus.
- Link: West Coast Equine Scholarship
15. Woman’s Century Club Scholarship
- Description: $1,000 for outstanding female students.
- Eligibility: Washington women, academic excellence, community service.
- Application Process: Apply via club website; submit essay and recommendations. Deadline typically spring.
- Key Details: One-time award.
- Link: Woman’s Century Club
16. Mennonite Aid Plan Scholarship
- Description: Up to $2,000 for Mennonite church members pursuing higher education.
- Eligibility: Washington Mennonite members, enrolled in college, financial need.
- Application Process: Apply through church; submit financial aid forms and essay.
- Key Details: Renewable with application.
- Link: Mennonite Aid Plan
17. Eleanor Davis Pinkham Scholarship
- Description: Supports Roosevelt High School grads entering UW with $1,000-$2,000.
- Eligibility: Roosevelt HS graduates, UW freshmen, academic merit.
- Application Process: Automatic consideration via UW admission and FAFSA/WASFA.
- Key Details: Non-renewable.
- Link: UW Financial Aid
18. Teacher Shortage Conditional Grant
- Description: Up to $10,000 for future teachers in shortage areas.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, teacher prep program, commit to teaching 2 years.
- Application Process: Apply via WSAC; submit FAFSA/WASFA. Deadline varies.
- Key Details: Converts to loan if obligation unmet.
- Link: Teacher Shortage Grant
19. Washington NASA Space Grant Scholarship
- Description: Varies ($1,000-$5,000) for STEM students.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, STEM majors, enrolled at participating schools.
- Application Process: Apply through Space Grant website; submit essay and transcripts.
- Key Details: Renewable; research opportunities.
- Link: NASA Space Grant
20. Opportunity Grant
- Description: Up to 45 credits of funding plus $1,000 for books for low-income students in high-demand careers.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, income at or below 200% poverty level, enrolled at community/technical college.
- Application Process: Apply through college financial aid office; submit FAFSA/WASFA.
- Key Details: Non-renewable beyond 1 year.
- Link: SBCTC Opportunity Grant
21. WACOPS Youth Scholarship
- Description: $500-$1,000 for children of Washington cops.
- Eligibility: Child of WACOPS member, good academic standing.
- Application Process: Apply via WACOPS; submit essay and transcripts. Deadline varies.
- Key Details: Non-renewable.
- Link: WACOPS Scholarship
22. BNSF Foundation Scholarship (via AISES)
- Description: $2,500 for American Indian STEM students.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, Native American, 3.0 GPA, high school senior or undergrad.
- Application Process: Apply through AISES; submit essay and tribal enrollment proof. Deadline typically May.
- Key Details: Renewable up to 4 years.
- Link: AISES BNSF Scholarship
23. Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation Scholarship
- Description: Up to $5,000 for osteopathic medical students.
- Eligibility: Plan to practice in WA, OR, ID, MT, or AK; enrolled in osteopathic school.
- Application Process: Apply online; submit essay and financial need statement. Deadline varies.
- Key Details: Renewable with intent to serve region.
- Link: Northwest Osteopathic Scholarship
24. Palmer Scholars Program
- Description: Up to $5,000 for low-income minority students in Pierce County.
- Eligibility: Pierce County residents, minority students, college-bound, financial need.
- Application Process: Apply online; submit essay, transcripts, and recommendations. Deadline typically March.
- Key Details: Includes mentorship; renewable.
- Link: Palmer Scholars
25. Carol S. Comeau Environmental Scholarship
- Description: $1,000 for environmental studies majors.
- Eligibility: Washington high school seniors, environmental degree focus, 3.0 GPA.
- Application Process: Apply via Bold.org; submit essay on environmental goals. Deadline varies.
- Key Details: Non-renewable; climate focus.
- Link: Carol S. Comeau Scholarship
26. Ida Mae Foster Whittaker Scholarship
- Description: $1,000 for underrepresented students.
- Eligibility: Washington residents, underrepresented groups, financial need.
- Application Process: Apply via Bold.org; submit essay and financial docs. Deadline varies.
- Key Details: Non-renewable; community support.
- Link: Ida Mae Foster Scholarship
27. Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship
- Description: Up to $10,000 annually for STEM teaching candidates.
- Eligibility: Recent STEM grads, committed to teaching high school in Washington, enrolled in credential program.
- Application Process: Apply online; submit essay and transcripts. Deadline typically January.
- Key Details: 5-year support; professional development.
- Link: Knowles Fellowship
28. TheWashBoard.org Scholarships
- Description: Varies ($500-$5,000); clearinghouse for Washington scholarships.
- Eligibility: Washington students, criteria vary by scholarship.
- Application Process: Register on TheWashBoard.org; apply to matched scholarships year-round.
- Key Details: Free service; multiple opportunities.
- Link: TheWashBoard.org
Tips for Seamless Application
- Start Early: Deadlines vary; apply 3-6 months in advance.
- Complete FAFSA/WASFA: Most scholarships require it for need-based eligibility.
- Gather Documents: Transcripts, essays, and recommendation letters are common requirements.
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet residency, GPA, and program criteria before applying.
This list provides a robust mix of need-based, merit-based, and field-specific scholarships and grants, optimized for "Washington State education funding," "scholarships for college students," and "financial aid opportunities". Apply today to secure your education funding!