The American Indian Endowed Scholarship provides financial assistance to students with close social and cultural ties to an American Indian community and/or tribe in Washington State. Eligible students must demonstrate a financial need based on a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), be a resident of Washington State and enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at a Washington university or college. Applicants must also provide academic transcripts from the last five years, three letters of recommendations from non-family members and a separate statement describing how the applicant plans to serve the American Indian community in Washington after college. Scholarships range from $500 to $2,000 per year and can be renewed; February 1 is the 2011 deadline.
The Passport to College Promise Scholarship provides scholarships, specialized guidance and housing assistance (with special consideration to the State Need Grant and Work Study aid programs) to students who spent at least one year in foster care after their 16th birthday. Eligible applicants must be Washington State residents and be emancipated from the foster care system. In addition, they must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible college in Washington State and have not yet earned a bachelor's or professional degree.
The Washington Scholars program provides awards, ranging from $2,500 and $5,500, for approximately 100 students based on academic excellence, leadership and community service. To be eligible, students must be a Washington resident who graduated from public or private high school and be enrolled at an eligible Washington college or university. High school principals send in their nominations (the top 1 percent of their graduating classes) by January of each year; as of early 2011, the selection committee announces the award recipients by mid March.
The State Work Study program assists low- and middle-income students to earn money for college. Additionally, students gain practical work experience while exploring potential majors and careers. To be eligible, students must demonstrate a financial need based on a completed FAFSA. They must also be enrolled at least half-time as an undergraduate or graduate student at a public two- or four-year college or university (or at many accredited independent four-year colleges or universities) in Washington. Students earn $2,000 to $5,000 per year, and as of early 2011 they work an average of 19 hours per week during an academic year.
The Arc of Washington Trust Fund provides a stipend of $5,000--awarded in installments--to upper division or graduate students working in the field of intellectual or developmental disabilities as researchers, practitioners or teachers. To be eligible, applicants must be a resident in or a student enrolled in higher education institutions in Washington, Oregon, Alaska or Idaho. The 2011 submission deadline is the end of February, as of 2011. The Trust Fund releases money directly to the institution for tuition, books and living expenses as long as the student continues to be enrolled. Applicants must also submit two recommendations from faculty sponsors and narratives describing academic qualifications and career goals.
Low income students wishing to pursue degrees or retrain for new careers or can also apply to the State Need Grant program. To be eligible, students must be a Washington resident, complete a FAFSA and have a family income equal or less than 70 percent of the state median. Students must be enrolled at an eligible Washington college or university at least half-time and be pursuing their first bachelor's or associate's degree.