Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) Board has increased the annual amount juniors and seniors will receive from $1,000 to $5,000 once they are admitted into an approved science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) or health care major. This continues their commitment to invest in Washington students and meet the needs of Washington State employers to fill jobs in high demand fields. WSOS was created by the Washington State Legislature in 2011 to address rising tuition at Washington colleges and universities. It is a public-private partnership funded initially with $5 million from the state of Washington. Boeing and Microsoft have committed $50 million combined.

This scholarship provides help to students in families who earn up to 125% of the median family income attain bachelor’s degrees in high employer demand fields including science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and health care. This expands college financial aid to a greater group of young people beyond the current state need grant which only reaches families with 70% of the median family income.

WSOS in Their Own Words "To know that there are people out there who say ‘Yes, I realize the worth of what you’re doing,’ it means the world to me, really, and I couldn’t thank them enough.” So remarks Thomas Lee, mechanical engineering major from Central Washington University and WSOS scholar. Hear from Thomas and others about the impact of this vital scholarship for low- to middle-income students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, math and health care. See the video.   3,000 Scholarships for High Demand Fields The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Board continues to support 3,000 scholars annually. The scholarship helps low- and middle-income Washington residents earn bachelor degrees in high employer demand fields and other programs of study in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields as well as health care.   Up to $5,000 Now Available for Upperclassmen Nearly 2,000 college juniors and seniors who were selected in 2012-2013 and who are admitted into STEM and health care majors will be eligible to receive up to $5,000 for the 2013-2014 school year. Read the press release and the fact sheet.