SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES & TIPS
Scholarship Searching Handout with Chart
It is the students responsibility to double check the due date for the scholarship on the donors website. Don't wait until the last minute to apply! BTW, there are scholarship for ALL ages and grades!!
Scholarships are available from a variety of sources but your best source as a Senior applying to a school for post-high school will be the financial aid office of the college you attend. Be sure to contact them early and pay attention to deadlines. Every Senior should apply for FAFSA or WASFA. (Some scholarships even require it.) Most students qualify for some sort of financial aid, but you have to apply.
School Specific or Pathway Specific Scholarships
Check the school or pathway you plan to attend FIRST to find scholarship opportunities directly offered to students who are applying for admissions. These are your first course to obtain funding, these dates often pass by students as they are usually due PRIOR to regular admissions deadlines (if a school has open admissions deadlines are months prior to Fall Semester start dates). You will find most dates will be BEFORE to May 1st.
Scholarship examples include: Presidential, Chancellor, Regent, ROTC military, PacNW Regional Council of Carpenters.
Event:
SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP
Dec 13th, 2024 Presentation with links to resources
Video of Presentation (28 minutes)
Handouts & Scholarships
Scholarship Programs
Washington College Grant > LINK
This is an AMAZING program to Washington residents!!
Beginning in 2020-2021 academic year, the WA College Grant will be a GUARANTEE for eligible state residents at or below median family income (MFI), which is currently $91,766 for a family of four.
For eligible students, the maximum award will cover FULL TUITION AND FEES at public colleges and universities. Students can also use the grant at ANY of Washington's eligible private colleges & universities.
Another significant change to the state financial aid is that the WA College Grant will also serve people in registered apprenticeships. They can use the grant to pay for tuition and required equipment.
How do you receive this WA College Grant? You MUST complete the FAFSA or WAFSA as early as possible(application opens Oct. 1st).
This is a first come first served program and you have to be enrolled through your completion of your FAFSA or WAFSA. The FAFSA can be completed here: FAFSA.gov
WAFSA can be completed here: WAFSA.gov *DO NOT complete both.
College Bound Scholarship
The College Bound Scholarship program is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who sign up in middle school and fulfill the scholarship pledge. View more information here.
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
Washington has one of the fastest growing state economies with more trade, health care and STEM jobs than we can fill. The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship connects our state’s leading industries with top Washington talent by reducing barriers to education and training and facilitating entry into high-demand careers for Washington students.
Our first-of-its kind public-private partnership builds pathways into high-demand careers through our Baccalaureate and Career and Technical scholarship programs. Flexible financial aid funding, coupled with student support services and industry connections helps us launch low- and middle-income Washington students into Washington jobs.
Western Undergraduate Exchange Program - WUE & WICHE Scholarships
Out of State schools may offer a discounted tuition rate if they participate in the WUE scholarship program. Students pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition at participating schools, compared with nonresident rates that can exceed 300% of in-state rates.
It is important to check the school's DEADLINE DATE as well as any requirements the school may have to obtain this award! (FAFSA filing date deadline, GPA requirement, specific major requirement, etc..) Check here for participating schools: WUE or WICHE
Helpful Scholarship Tools
Information You May Need When Applying For Scholarships
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Class rank
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Transcript
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Recommendation letters
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Essay
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Resume
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FAFSA (completed)
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SAR (completed)
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Volunteer activities
Other sources for scholarship information:
OHS SCHOLARSHIPS
Over 40 OHS-specific scholarships are available to our students through the Olympia High School Foundation. Applications open in the Spring yearly.
Scholarship Recipients must submit the verification from from their college or educational institution in the fall (Dec 1st) to Olympia High School Scholarship Foundation - Career Center unless an alternative timeframe has been discussed and approved by the donor.
As soon as the signed form is received in our office, a check will be mailed to your college. This check will then be applied to YOUR ACCOUNT, you must check in with your financial aid office at your school when this check is applied to your account. Checks may take up to 30 days to arrive & be applied to your account.
2025 ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION FORM DUE BY DEC 1st
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