The 2019 scholarship application is now closed.
Thank you for your interest in the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship! The 2019 scholarship application is now closed.
2019 applicants: Your official transcript must be postmarked by Monday, March 4, 2019 to be eligible for consideration. Please send official transcripts to 1414 31st Avenue South, Suite 302, Seattle, WA 98144. Click here for more information on the type of transcript you are required to submit.
We are unable to confirm receipt of individual transcripts due to the high volume we receive. Transcripts postmarked by March 4, 2019 will be included as part of your application.
You must also submit your 2019-2020 FAFSA or the WASFA at by Monday, March 4, 2019. WSOS will verify a valid FAFSA or WASFA was submitted through the Washington State Achievement Council (WSAC). There is no need to enter a code on either site.
Additional information on key milestones and eligibility requirements can be found below.
Current Application Timeline: Key Milestones & Dates
| Application Milestone | 2019-20 Application Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | January 3, 2019 at 8 a.m. |
| Application Deadline | February 28, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. |
| Official Transcripts Postmarked | March 4, 2019 |
| FAFSA/WASFA Submitted | March 4, 2019 |
| Selection Notification | April 19, 2019 |
| Acceptance Deadline | May 3, 2019 |
| Online Orientation Deadline | May 17, 2019 |
Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
Applicants for the scholarship must meet the following criteria:
- RESIDENCY
- Be a Washington state resident as defined by state Legislature (RCW 28B.15.012).
- Earn a high school diploma or GED from a Washington state institution by June of the year of application.
- FINANCIAL NEED
- File the upcoming academic year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) by the application deadline.
- Apply for Federal Education Tax Credits, if eligible.
- Have total family income (adjusted gross income plus all untaxed income) that does not exceed 125% of Washington state family median income based on family size, as described in this chart.
- ACADEMIC RECORD
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) as of application date of at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale), demonstrated on either a current college or high school transcript; OR
- A passing GED score, demonstrated on an official score report.
- ENROLLMENT PLAN
- Plan to pursue an eligible science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) or health care major as defined on the list of approved majors.
- Plan to enroll at an eligible Washington state institution for the fall term following selection as defined on the list of eligible college and universities.
- Plan to enroll at least half-time (six or more credits) every term. Scholars are not expected to enroll in nor does WSOS fund summer term.
- PREVIOUS EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
- Do not yet have a bachelor’s degree.
- Student must be a high school senior or graduate (high school equivalency), college freshman or college sophomore. If a student has earned any college credit post high-school, they must either: 1) have earned no more than 90 quarter or 60 semester credits; OR 2) have been enrolled in college for no more than six quarters or four semesters.
Application Process
The 2019 scholarship application is now closed. Interested students who submitted an application by the February 28, 2019 deadline have until March 4, 2019 to postmark their transcript to WSOS (1414 31st Avenue South, Suite 302, Seattle, WA 98144) and submit the FAFSA or WASFA.
Selection & Notification
The Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for providing the guidance on which factors determine Scholar selection. The criteria upon which selection is based varies year to year but generally include a combination of students’ financial need, intended major of study, demonstrated STEM or health care engagement or interest and academic achievement.
Applicants will be notified about the selection decision by April 19 (see table above for current application timeline). Students who are not selected are invited to reapply in future application periods should they meet eligibility criteria. Selected students will receive further instructions on how to formally accept the scholarship and complete the mandatory online orientation.
Selection notification emails and mailed award letters are sent to the email and mailing address applicants provide on the application; we strongly encourage all applicants to carefully enter their email and mailing address and to add awards@waopportunityscholarship.org to their list of trusted senders.
Acceptance & Orientation
Selected students must complete the acceptance form by early May (see table above for current application timeline). Selected students who fail to meet this deadline will have their offer of support revoked. Instructions for how to complete the acceptance form will be included in the selection offer emails and mailed award letters; to ensure receipt of these instructions, we strongly encourage all applicants to carefully enter their email and mailing address and to add awards@waopportunityscholarship.org to their list of trusted senders.
Scholars will also be required to complete a 30-minute, online orientation.
Becoming a Scholar
Selected students who complete the acceptance and orientation will join a cohort of like-minded Washington students who are working to change the face of our high-demand STEM and health care industries. Once in the program, students quickly learn that being an Opportunity Scholar is about more than just money. In addition to receiving a renewable scholarship for up to five years, Scholars will be supported to achieve academic success through our signature Scholar Lead program and prepared for career launch through an industry mentorship in Skills that Shine. To read more about Scholar supports, please visit the Current Scholars section of the website.
Application Toolkit
Eligibility Toolkit
Still have questions?
We’re here to help.