Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS) Applicants
The Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS) supports Washington students on their path to high-demand trade, STEM and health care occupations. To be eligible, scholars must enroll in an approved program, such as welding, manufacturing 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 associate degree, certificate or apprenticeship program. These scholarship funds are flexible and can be used to cover tuition, fees and other costs of attendance such as housing, transportation, food and more.
Scholars that intend to earn their bachelor's degree after the completion of their program are not eligible for CTS and are instead encouraged to review the Baccalaureate Scholarship. Learn more about BaS here.
The information below describes the application timeline, eligibility requirements and application requirements. Haga clic aquí para obtener más información en español.
Spring 2019-20 Career & Technical Scholarship recipients have been selected! All applicants were notified of their selection status by e-mail. Selected applicants will not receive a physical selection letter in the mail. Selected applicants can learn more about their scholarship here.
The fall 2020-21 Career & Technical Scholarship application will open on April 6, 2020.
2020 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 | Winter Quarter Dates | Spring Quarter Dates | Fall Quarter Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application opens | September 25, 2019 | January 13, 2020 | April 6, 2020 |
| Application deadline | October 23, 2019 | February 6, 2020 | June 4, 2020 |
| Transcripts/GED scores (if applicable) | October 23, 2019 | February 6, 2020 | June 4, 2020 |
| FAFSA/WASFA submitted | October 23, 2019 | February 6, 2020 | June 4, 2020 |
| Selection notification | November 21, 2019 | March 2020 | July 2020 |
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the scholarship must meet all of 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
- 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
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 are sent to the email address applicants provide on the application; we strongly encourage all applicants to carefully enter their email and to add awards@waopportunityscholarship.org to their list of trusted senders.
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