Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS) Applicants
The Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS) supports Washington students on their path to high-demand trade, health care and STEM occupations. To be eligible, scholars must enroll in an approved program, such as welding, nursing or IT, at one of Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges. Scholars are eligible to receive up to $1,500 each quarter for the duration of their program, as well as support services.
The information below describes the application timeline, eligibility requirements and application requirements. Click here to view this information in Spanish.
2019-20 Application Timeline: Key Milestones & Dates
WSOS accepts applications for the CTS three times each academic year. Approximately half of the scholarships are awarded for the fall, with the other half awarded between the winter and spring. The table below shows the timelines for each scholarship window.
| Application milestone | Fall Quarter Dates | Winter Quarter Dates | Spring Quarter Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application opens | May 20, 2019 at noon | October 2019 | January 2020 |
| Application deadline | July 12, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. | November 2019 | February 2020 |
| Transcripts/GED scores (if applicable) | July 12, 2019 | November 2019 | February 2020 |
| FAFSA/WASFA submitted | July 12, 2019 | November 2019 | February 2020 |
| Selection notification | August 9, 2019 | December 2019 | March 2020 |
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the scholarship must meet the following criteria:
- RESIDENCY
- Be a Washington state resident as defined by the state.
- Earn a high school diploma or GED from a Washington state institution before the application deadline.
- FINANCIAL NEED
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) for the relevant academic year by the application deadline.
- Apply for Federal Education Tax Credits, if eligible.
- Have a family income at or below 125% of Washington state median family income based on family size.
- ENROLLMENT PLAN
- Plan to enroll in an eligible program for the upcoming term.
- Plan to enroll at an eligible Washington state community or technical college for the upcoming term.
- Plan to enroll in at least six credits every term. Scholars are not required to enroll in summer term.
- PREVIOUS EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
- Do not have a bachelor’s degree.
In the pilot year of our new Career and Technical Scholarship, we are asking partners and stakeholders around the state to help us ensure we support trade, health care and STEM programs that reflect local workforce needs. Please contact awards@waopportunityscholarship.org if you would like to recommend an associate degree, certificate or apprenticeship program to add to the list. WSOS will consider adding programs that can be verified as high-demand through data and other evidence.
Application Process
The Career and Technical Scholarship application for fall 2019 is now closed. Please review the 2019-20 Application Timeline above to learn more about when we will notify selected Scholars and reopen the application for the next application cycle.
Interested applicants must complete the entire application process if they to be considered. Applicants must:
- Complete all application sections via the Scholarship Application Portal and click “Submit” by the application deadline.
- If applicable, mail a copy of your unofficial transcript or GED scores to WSOS: 1414 31st Ave S., Suite 302, Seattle, WA 98144. Not sure if this applies to you? Click here to learn more!
- Submit the FAFSA or WASFA for the relevant academic year by the application deadline.
The application will require approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete. Applicants may start the application, save progress and return to complete it later up until the application deadline. Applicants should know what college they will enroll in and what program they intend to complete. Applicants should also be prepared to answer an essay question designed to help WSOS understand the unique challenges they have faced and worked to overcome.
For more information about each of the application components, including guidance for the essay, see the CTS Application Toolkit.
Selection & Notification
The Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for deciding 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 program of study and academic achievement.
Applicants will be notified about the selection decision by the date listed on the table above. Students who are not selected are invited to reapply in future application periods if they meet eligibility criteria.
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.
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