The Washington Opportunity Scholarship increased
its funding available for College juniors and seniors in high-demand
fields such as engineering. Freshmen and sophomores are also eligible
to apply for this award. The application opens
January 7: http://www.waopportunityscholarship.org/
The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
helps low- and middle-income Washington State residents earn first
bachelor’s degrees. Over 700 scholarships will be awarded
to new students who will be college freshmen, sophomores or juniors in
the 2013-14 academic year. These students will receive $1,000 renewable
scholarship each year to help in their pursuit of four-year degrees in
the following eligible high demand programs
of study: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) or Health
Care.
When
students have completed enough credits to reach junior class standing
(at least 90) and have submitted verification that they have been
admitted into an approved high demand
major as determined for 2013-14, their scholarship will be increased to
$5000.
The
application for the 2013-2014 academic year will be available on
January 7, 2013. Complete application eligibility and timeline will be
posted as soon as it is known. However,
the minimum eligibility criteria to apply as stated in the legislation
governing this program are:
-
Student must receive (or have received) a high school diploma or GED from a Washington high school or institution
-
Student must be a Washington state resident (as defined in RCW 28B.15.012)
-
Student must show intent of completing a bachelor’s degree from an eligible Washington State college or university
-
Student may first enroll at a community or technical college before later transferring to a four-year college or university
-
Student must enroll each year in an eligible high employer demand
program of study. Eligible programs of study are approved each year by
the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Board of Directors.
-
Student must submit each year the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the application deadline
- Student’s family income must be less than or equal to 125% of Washington state median family income (e.g. for the 2012-13 application, the family income for a student with a family size of 4 had to be $102,200 or less to apply. – a new chart with income and family sizes will be available when the 2013-14 program is available)
