LibGuides: Scholarship Resources: Washington State Scholarships

About this Page

This page will share with you websites on where to apply for local scholarships in Washington state. Most scholarships accept applications during only part of the year, if a scholarship you are interested is not currently open please do some of the preparation to apply and make a note on your calendar of when the application period opens.

If you have any questions about this guide, please contact the Library staff at librarian@rtc.edu.

Washington State Scholarships

Des Moines Dollars for Scholars®
Des Moines Dollars for Scholars® is a locally operated and supported, nonprofit, tax-exempt scholarship foundation. The purpose of Dollars for Scholars is to expand access to educational opportunities by involving and assisting our community in the support of students and in encouraging educational achievement.
Kent Community Foundation Scholarships
The Kent Community Foundation manages a number of scholarship funds and strongly supports students dreams to pursue a post-secondary education. This is a community-supported effort to help bridge the gap for students who might not otherwise afford to continue their education.
Renton Lions Club Scholarships
There are two types of Scholarships available through Renton Lions Club. The Running Start Scholarship and the Gayl Bertagni Culinary Arts Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded to two students each year who have shown an interest and devotion to service in their community.
Renton Regional Community Foundation Scholarships
The Renton Regional Community Foundation manages a number of scholarship funds and strongly supports your dream to pursue a post-secondary education. Some of our funds grant their scholarship money directly through a specific school or institution, many of our scholarship funds make their awards through our own Scholarship Committee. For those scholarships, apply directly through this website where it says “apply” by each scholarship description. You may qualify for more than one scholarship, provided you meet the criteria.
[Scholarship applications for 2025 are due by 5 pm on April 8, 2025.]
RTC Foundation Scholarships
The RTC Foundation offers over 50 different scholarships. The scholarships recognize numerous achievements, including academic and personal achievements, and are based on your financial need. In addition to general scholarships based on financial need, there are many program-related scholarships, those awarded for outstanding academic achievement, for school leadership, for community service, and for overcoming challenges in life.
Seattle Foundation and Scholarship America
Please note that the scholarship cycle generally starts in November with deadlines in March of the following year. You are encouraged to read the descriptions for the current Seattle Foundation and Scholarship America scholarships in detail as they each have their own deadlines and eligibility requirements.
theWashBoard
TheWashBoard connects Washington students of all types with Washington scholarship providers for FREE. Whether you’ll be attending in state or out, you save time by entering your information once and letting them find the scholarship opportunities that fit your circumstances.
Tukwila City of Opportunity Scholarship Program
The City of Tukwila Scholarship Program was established in 2014. The scholarship provides financial assistance to individuals enrolled for undergraduate study in community colleges, colleges, trade schools and universities. Selection criteria include, but are not limited to, academic accomplishments, community service, references, financial need, and personal essay.

BECU Foundation Scholarships
The BECU Foundation extends the credit union philosophy of people helping people by offering educational support to members and their families. Scholarships recognize and promote service in the community, as well as leadership and academic potential. The BECU Foundation also works with other scholarship providers to enhance their efforts to provide scholarships.
College Success Foundation - Washington State
The College Success Foundation administers a variety of scholarships to help Washington State students overcome financial barriers to attend college. The scholarship program supports student success and includes significant tuition assistance for students, provides college-advising support to ensure academic success, and includes special funds to help cover unforeseen costs or emergencies.
Costco Scholarship Fund
Costco works with the University of Washington and Seattle University to create scholarships for highly qualified underrepresented students who wish to attend these universities. College Success Foundation administers this scholarship fund on behalf of Costco Wholesale.
theWashBoard
TheWashBoard connects Washington students of all types with Washington scholarship providers for FREE. Whether you’ll be attending in state or out, you save time by entering your information once and letting them find the scholarship opportunities that fit your circumstances.
Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE)
The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence is a merit scholarship honoring Washington’s top Career and Technical Education (CTE) students. There are up to 147 winners each year — three from each state legislative district. Graduating Washington high school seniors who have completed, or are completing, the equivalent of two high school CTE credits in a single CTE pathway are eligible. Community and technical college students are also eligible (these students must attend one of Washington’s 34 public community and technical colleges, and be in the process of completing at least one year of a professional-technical program). *** The application portal is open until March 17, 2025. Don’t delay, apply today. *** (These scholarships are offered annually.)
Washington Occupational Information System (WOIS) Scholarships
The WOIS Scholarship is awarded to one or more WOIS CIS360 or Career Planner users each year. Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $1,000. Up to three scholarships will be awarded. Applicants must be approved by a person working at a current WOIS CIS360 or Career Planner site (see your counselor, advisor or career specialist).
Washington State Fair Foundation Blue Ribbon Scholarship Program
The Washington State Fair Foundation awards $159,000, in 20 different scholarships, annually to Washington students.
Washington State Opportunity Scholarships
WSOS supports Opportunity Scholars as they navigate college. Career training and mentorship are part of the Opportunity Scholar experience. Scholarships include the Baccalaureate Scholarship for students earning their bachelor’s degree (including from a community college). The Career & Technical Scholarship for students earning their certificate, apprenticeship or associate degree. And the Graduate Scholarship for students earning an advanced Nurse Practioner degree.
Washington Women in Need Scholarships
Washington Women in Need focus on assisting Washington women to have equitable
access to higher education. WWIN has awarded over $21 million in grants to women in Washington over the past 30 years.

Central Washington University Scholarships
Scholarships: Take advantage of the opportunity to minimize your education costs and showcase your potential at Central Washington University. Apply for scholarships and turn your skills, achievements, and passions into tangible support for your studies and then career and financial rewards.
Eastern Washington University: Scholarships
Every year EWU awards approximately $5.5 million in scholarships. Add that to approximately $135 million in financial aid, and a degree from EWU is definitely within your financial reach.
The Evergreen State University - Scholarships
Evergreen has over 100 scholarships for students of all kinds. ESU lists external opportunities and resources as they become aware of them, so check frequently to explore new ways to pursue financial support.
Pacific Lutheran University - Scholarships
PLU provides a variety of merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, grants, and more.
Seattle Pacific University - Scholarships
You’re looking for scholarships. SPU makes applying for them easy! A variety of merit and other scholarships are available.
Seattle University - Scholarships
Learn more about the scholarship opportunities for first-year undergraduates, transfer undergraduates, graduate students, ROTC students and more.
University of Washington - Undergraduate Scholarships
The Office of Student Financial Aid offers scholarship opportunities to undergraduate students. These funds are offered to Washington resident students on the basis of financial need.
University of Washington Tacoma - Scholarships
Financial Aid comes in several forms: Grants and Scholarships that are not required to be repaid, loans that must be repaid, or federal work-study awards which enable students to earn a paycheck while attending college.
Washington State University - Scholarships
Wondering how you can pay for college? Let WSU help. Each year they award approximately $170 million in scholarships, grants, and waivers. They offer more than 700 scholarship programs; and one application allows you to be considered for all of them!
Western Washington University - Scholarships
WWU is switching to a centralized scholarship process: students will complete a single scholarship application and be considered for all WWU scholarships that they qualify for. Students who submit an application will be considered for scholarships from all areas of campus, including academic and non-academic areas.