Washington State Opportunity scholarship FAQs
Eligibility
Selection
Renewal
Other
What is the family income requirement?
The family income (adjusted gross income plus all untaxed income) must be less than or equal to 125% of Washington state median family income.
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I am now a Washington State resident, but I graduated from an out-of-state high school, why does that matter?
The requirement that applicants have received their high school diploma or GED from Washington state institutions is a legislative requirement written in the statute.
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If I have a bachelor’s degree, can I apply for this program to complete a second bachelor’s degree?
No. This program is only available for students to complete their first bachelor’s degrees.
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Which of the application eligibility items are legislative requirements?
- Student must have received a high school diploma or GED from a Washington institution
- Student must be a Washington state resident
- Student must show intent of completing a bachelor’s degree
- Student must be enrolled each year in an eligible high demand program of study
- Student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Assistance (FAFSA)
- Student’s family income must be less than or equal to 125% of Washington state median family income
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When does a Washington State Opportunity Scholarship recipient receive the scholarship increase to $5,000?
A recipient who is receiving the $1,000 scholarship will have the scholarship increased to $5,000 when the student has completed 90 quarter credits or 60 semester credits, which is junior class standing, AND has been admitted into a high demand eligible major AND submitted all required documentation.
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What documentation is required to verify that a student has achieved junior class standing and been admitted into a high demand eligible major and is now eligible for the increased scholarship of $5,000?
- An official college transcript is needed to verify that 90 quarter credits or 60 semster credits have been completed.
- Documentation from the college that verifies the date the student was admitted into the high demand eligible major, the name of the major and the major cip code is needed to verify the admittance. This documentation may be the official college transcript if the necessary information is listed there, or the letter of acceptance into the major from the college.
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When will the increased scholarship amount be received by the college or university I am attending?
The scholarship increase from $1,000 to $5,000 will be effective the term after the verification documents are received and reviewed. For example, if a student submits verification fall quarter, the increased scholarship amount will begin winter quarter.
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I am a Running Start student. Am I a college or a high school student?
If you are a Running Start student, you are considered a high school senior, (not yet graduated from high school) and will need to submit an official high school transcript. Please check with your high school to ensure that your Running Start credits for fall term are posted to your official high school transcript.
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What are the approved high demand eligible majors?
The approved high demand majors - by alphabet; by category.
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What does “CIP” mean and for what purpose is it used?
“CIP” stands for Classification of Instructional Program. Each major has a “cip” code and that code defines the major and field of study. The codes were developed to provide a consistent method for tracking, assessing and reporting on program completion.
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Where can I find the “CIP” code that is assigned to my major?
You will need to check with your college/university Registrar or on your registration web site to find the cip code associated with your intended or declared major.
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I don’t meet all of the criteria to apply this year, but think I may next year. Can I reapply then?
Once the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Board decides on the criteria to be used for the next year it will be posted on this web site. If you are eligible to apply at that time, please do so.
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How will recipients be selected?
Based on guidance from the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Board, the College Success Foundation (CSF), as program administrator, will make selection decisions based on information provided by students in their applications. Selection decisions may be made using a variety of factors provided in the applications, such as:
- College or university class standing
- Student grade point average (GPA) at the time of application
- Eligible high demand programs of study
- Family household size and income information
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When will I receive notification of whether or not I’m selected?
CSF will begin sending notifications by email to all applicants beginning May 1, 2013.
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If I am not selected this year, will I be able to reapply again next year?
Once the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Board decides on the criteria to be used for next year it will be posted on this web site. If you are eligible to apply at that time, please do so again.
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If I am selected, when and how will I apply for renewal of this scholarship for future years?
Students will need to complete a renewal application and submit a transcript that will verify the number of credits earned, GPA and possibly course completion. In addition students may need to verify the following:
- A list of courses taken during the academic year that were directly related to the student’s eligible high demand major.
- The student’s planned eligible high demand major
- The student's attendance at a college or university for the entire academic year as a full-time undergraduate student
- The student's maintenance of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) at his or her college or university
- The student's submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Application by the student’s family, if eligible, for eligible federal tax credits, including the American Opportunity Tax Credit
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How many years can I receive the scholarship?
Entering freshmen can receive the scholarship for a maximum of five years. Students enrolled in college at the time of application will receive the scholarship until the student either completes his or her first bachelor’s degree or has taken the equivalent of 125% of the published length of the program, whichever occurs first. In addition, students must meet all renewal criteria.
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Will I still be able to receive the scholarship if I transfer to another college or attend a different college than I originally reported on my application?
If Washington State Opportunity Scholarship recipients attend other eligible Washington colleges or universities on a full-time basis and continue to meet all other program requirements, they will be eligible to have future scholarship disbursements sent to their new colleges. It is important that scholarship recipients contact CSF as soon as possible at info@waopportunityscholarship.org should they have a change of colleges.
When students are selected, they will be asked to verify the colleges or universities they will be attending in fall.
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How can I update information on my application once it has been submitted?
Once you have submitted your application, you cannot make corrections or provide updates through the on-line application portal. To make changes, you must email the corrections or changes to: info@waopportunityscholarship.org. Be sure to include in your email your full name, date of birth, preferred phone number, and school or college you have last attended.
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Will information I reported on my submitted application be verified?
Before scholarship decisions are finalized, the program administrator may ask the Washington State Achievement Council (WSAC) and/or the college or university you plan to attend to verify application information you submit, such as, but not limited to:
- Washington State residency
- Dependency status from the 2013-14 FAFSA (dependent or independent)
- Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reported on the 2013-14 FAFSA
- Total Untaxed Income amounts reported on the 2013-14 FAFSA
- Household Size reported on the 2013-14 FAFSA
- Enrollment in an eligible high demand science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) or health care major
- Maintenance of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements established at your college or university
- Enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student for the fall term pursuing a first bachelor’s degree
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What is the plan for the Opportunity Scholarship for 2014-15 and beyond?
The Opportunity Scholarship Board will decide each year the criteria to be used for the next application cycle. Once that is determined, information will be posted on this web site.
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