Washington scholarships and grants
Every program the state of Washington runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Hide service scholarships (7) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
Teacher Shortage Conditional Scholarship
up to $8,000 per year, up to four yearsWashington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Open now · due October 30, 2026Service scholarshipThe catch: Teach in a Washington K-12 public school, or repay with interest and fees; the length is in the promissory note.
Up to $8,000 a year for up to four years for students in teacher-prep programs who commit to teach in a Washington shortage area.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For undergrads, grad students
- For education (teaching shortage areas) students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
WA Grant for Apprenticeship (WG-A)
up to $2,548 (2026-27 maximum); based on family income, may be proratedWashington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Open nowState grant of up to $2,548 (2026-27) for registered apprentices in participating Washington apprenticeship programs, to cover program costs.
- What it takes: state application
- For trade school students, adults going back to school
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: no citizenship requirement — Washington residents of any immigration status may qualify (undocumented students apply with the WASFA)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Student Teaching Grant
not stated on the official pageWashington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Open now · due October 30, 2026Grant (no service obligation) for student teachers with financial need placed at Title I public schools in Washington.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For undergrads, grad students
- For education students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
WSOS Career & Technical Scholarship (CTS)
up to $1,500 per quarterWashington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) — state public-private partnership
Open now · due October 15, 2026Up to $1,500 per quarter, every quarter until completion, for low- and middle-income Washington students in eligible trades, health care or STEM certificates, associate degrees or apprenticeships.
- What it takes: state application + essay + FAFSA
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- For trades, health care, STEM students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: no citizenship requirement — WSOS accepts undocumented applicants (WASFA)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Washington College Grant (WA Grant)
up to full tuition; 2026-27 maximum $13,203/yr (University of Washington), $5,095 at community and technical colleges; partial awards (60%, 50%, 24.5%, 10%) at higher incomesWashington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Apply any timeGuaranteed state grant of up to full public-college tuition for Washington residents from low- and middle-income families; 2026-27 maximum $13,203 at UW.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school, transfer students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: no citizenship requirement — Washington residents of any immigration status may qualify (undocumented students apply with the WASFA)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
College Bound (formerly College Bound Scholarship)
free public-college tuition when combined with WA Grant; 2026-27 maximum combined awards from $5,595 (community/technical colleges) to $13,703 (University of Washington)Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Apply any timeEarly commitment of state aid: low-income students who enroll in 7th-9th grade and meet the requirements get public-college tuition covered (with WA Grant), or an equivalent at approved private schools.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Opportunity Grant
tuition and fees for up to 45 credits, plus up to $1,000 for books and suppliesWashington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC)
Apply any timeTuition and fees for up to 45 credits plus up to $1,000 for books for low-income students in high-wage, high-demand certificate programs at Washington community and technical colleges.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- Needs a 2+ GPA
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: WASFA accepted (undocumented students eligible as Washington residents)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Alternative Routes Conditional Scholarship
up to $8,000 per year, up to two yearsWashington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Check datesService scholarshipThe catch: Teach in a Washington K-12 public school, or repay with interest and fees; the length is on the official page.
Up to $8,000 a year for up to two years for people earning a teaching certificate through a Washington alternative-route program, in exchange for teaching in a shortage area.
- What it takes: school nomination
- For adults going back to school, grad students
- For education (teaching shortage areas) students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
WSOS Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS)
$2,500 per year until accepted into the major, then $5,000, $7,500 and $5,000 in the following yearsWashington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) — state public-private partnership
Opens laterScholarship of up to $7,500 a year plus mentoring for low- and middle-income Washington students earning bachelor's degrees in STEM and health care.
- What it takes: state application + essay + transcript + FAFSA
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
- Needs a 2.75+ GPA
- For STEM, health care students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: no citizenship requirement — WSOS accepts undocumented applicants (WASFA)
- Usual timing: annual; opens mid-January, closes late February (2027: Jan 13 - Feb 25, 9 p.m. PST); FAFSA/WASFA by the same date
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Behavioral Health Conditional Scholarship (BHCS)
up to $41,000 across a graduate program (up to $15,500 for one-year programs); up to $10,000 across an SUDP certificate programWashington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Opens laterService scholarshipThe catch: Work at least 3 years at an eligible Washington behavioral health site after licensure, or it becomes a loan.
Up to $41,000 (graduate) or $10,000 (substance use disorder certificate) for behavioral health students who commit to 3-5 years of service at an eligible Washington site.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For grad students, undergrads, trade school students
- For clinical mental health counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Usual timing: annual; 2026-27 applications have closed; 2027-28 cycle to be announced late 2026
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
WSOS Graduate Scholarship (GRD)
up to $25,000 over three years (no more than $6,250 per term), plus $500/term travel stipend for remote clinical sitesWashington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) — state public-private partnership
Opens laterService scholarshipThe catch: Plan to practice in an underserved Washington area for at least 2 years after finishing; no repayment penalty is described.
Up to $25,000 over three years for nurse practitioner (MSN/DNP) students who will practice in an underserved area of Washington for two years.
- What it takes: state application + essay + transcript + recommendation + FAFSA
- For grad students
- For nursing (nurse practitioner: AGNP, FNP, PMHNP, PNP) students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: no citizenship requirement — WSOS accepts undocumented applicants (WASFA)
- Usual timing: annual; opens mid-March, closes late April (2027: Mar 17 - Apr 27; recommendation by Apr 29); notification in June
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
National Guard Postsecondary Education Grant (NGG)
2026-27: $2,500 (community/technical colleges) to $6,500 (four-year institutions) per year, plus up to $500 one-time for books and suppliesWashington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Open nowService scholarshipThe catch: Serve one year in the Washington National Guard per year funded, or repay it under the promissory note.
$2,500-$6,500 a year (plus up to $500 for books) for Washington National Guard members and their dependents, in exchange for one more year of Guard service per year funded.
- Who it's for: active drilling member in good standing of the Washington Army or Air National Guard, or a dependent/spouse of one (DEERS ID)
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Pipeline for Paraeducators Conditional Scholarship
up to $4,000 per academic year, up to four yearsWashington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Apply any timeService scholarshipThe catch: Work as a certificated school employee 2 full-time school years per year funded, or repay with interest and fees.
Up to $4,000 a year for up to four years for paraeducators (and Recruiting Washington Teachers alumni) earning an associate degree on the way to becoming teachers.
- Who it's for: paraeducator (classified instructional employee) in a Washington school district, or Recruiting Washington Teachers alumnus
- What it takes: state application + recommendation + FAFSA
- For undergrads, adults going back to school
- For education (teaching shortage areas) students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Educator Retooling Conditional Scholarship
up to $3,000 per endorsement add-onWashington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Apply any timeService scholarshipThe catch: Teach in Washington 2 school years per year funded (1 in a shortage area), or repay with interest and fees.
Up to $3,000 per endorsement for certified Washington teachers adding a shortage-area endorsement, in exchange for teaching service.
- Who it's for: certified Washington K-12 teacher
- What it takes: state application + recommendation
- For adults going back to school, grad students
- For education (teaching shortage areas) students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Passport to Careers (Passport to College Promise Scholarship and Passport to Apprenticeship Opportunities)
up to $2,000 per academic year (Passport to College, 2026-27 maximum); apprenticeship pathway covers program costsWashington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Apply any timeUp to $2,000 a year plus campus support for former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth in college, apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship.
- Who it's for: former foster youth (state, tribal or federal unaccompanied refugee minor foster care after age 13) or unaccompanied homeless youth
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: US citizen, eligible noncitizen or DACA; others may qualify with a WA high school diploma/GED, 3+ years' WA residence before it, and an affidavit
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition Waiver for Children and Surviving Spouses of Fallen or Disabled Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, State Patrol Officers and Highway Workers
all tuition and services & activities fees at Washington public colleges and universitiesWashington public colleges and universities (state-mandated, RCW 28B.15.380 / 28B.15.520)
Apply any timeFree tuition and services-and-activities fees at Washington public colleges for children and surviving spouses of Washington police, firefighters, state troopers or highway workers killed or totally disabled in the line of duty.
- Who it's for: child or surviving spouse of a Washington law enforcement officer, firefighter, State Patrol officer or highway worker who died or was totally disabled in the line of duty
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, grad students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition Waiver for Dependents of Totally Disabled, POW/MIA or Deceased Veterans and National Guard Members
all tuition and fees at Washington public colleges (up to 250 quarter credits) plus a $500/yr book stipend if fundedWashington public colleges and universities (state-mandated, RCW 28B.15.621)
Apply any timeFree tuition and fees (up to 250 quarter credits) plus a $500/yr book stipend at Washington public colleges for children and spouses of veterans or Guard members who died, were 100% disabled, or are POW/MIA from active federal service.
- Who it's for: child (age 17-26), spouse or domestic partner of an eligible veteran/National Guard member who died, was 100% disabled, or is POW/MIA from active federal service
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Washington Tuition Waiver for Eligible Veterans and National Guard Members
all or a portion of tuition and fees, set by each collegeWashington public colleges and universities (permissive, RCW 28B.15.621)
Apply any timeWashington public colleges may waive all or part of tuition and fees for eligible veterans and National Guard members; each school sets its own program.
- Who it's for: eligible veteran or National Guard member (Washington domiciliary, qualifying active federal service, honorable discharge)
- What it takes: state application
- For undergrads, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Worker Retraining Program
tuition assistance, books and fees (amount varies by college)Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC)
Apply any timeTuition, books and fees help at Washington community and technical colleges for unemployed, recently laid-off or at-risk workers retraining for a new job.
- Who it's for: unemployed or dislocated worker
- What it takes: state application
- For adults going back to school, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES)
about $500 to $3,000 per yearWashington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Opens later$500-$3,000 scholarship for students with close social and cultural ties to an American Indian tribe or community in Washington who will use their education to benefit it.
- Who it's for: close social and cultural ties to an American Indian tribe or community in Washington
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA + essay + recommendation + transcript
- For undergrads, grad students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Usual timing: annual; application opens in December, closes about early March (2026-27 deadline was March 2, 2026); 2027-28 application available December 2026
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.