The Baccalaureate Scholarship is closed. The next application cycle will become available on January 8, 2025!
Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS) 101
BaS is one of three pathways to high-demand careers in Washington State offered by WSOS. This program provides up to $22,500 in scholarship dollars and access to career-launching support services for high-demand STEM and health care majors. WSOS can cover costs beyond tuition, such as housing, transportation, food, and more. Funding can be used for any eligible STEM or health care major at any eligible public or private college or university in Washington state.
Do you want to get a bachelor’s degree in a field like computer science, nursing, engineering, or another STEM or health care field? Do you want to get an associate degree before studying to get a bachelor’s degree? Continue reading; BaS is right for you!
Interested in an associate degree, apprenticeship, or certificate instead? Check out the Career & Technical Scholarship (CTS).
Application deadlines
The 2025-26 BaS application opens in January 2025! More information will be added closer to 2025.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | January 8, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | February 26, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. PST |
| FAFSA/WASFA Filing Deadline* | February 26, 2025 |
| Selection Notification | April 18, 2025 |
| Acceptance Deadline | May 7, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. |
*We urge applicants to start and complete their FAFSA/WASFA application as soon as possible to account for processing delays. Please visit our FASFA/WASFA Completion Tips webpage for more information.
Eligibility Requirements
Residency:
- You must be a Washington resident. In most cases, a Washington resident lives in the state for one year immediately before starting college or a program. WSOS accepts undocumented applicants.
- Learn more about WSOS residency requirements.
- Questions? Email info@waopportunityscholarship.org.
Financial need:
- Meet the following income limitations: Have a family income that does not exceed 125% of Washington state median family income.
- When viewing the family income limits, applicants should use the income reported on their family tax returns and the FAFSA/WASFA.
- Dependent students will report their total family income reported by their parent(s)/guardian(s), while independent students will report their own total family income.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
- We recommend completing your FAFSA or WASFA as early as possible to account for processing delays.
- Read more about the FAFSA/WASFA completion tips and processing timelines.
Education plan:
- Plan to enroll in an eligible STEM or health care major at an eligible Washington state college or university.
- Plan to enroll in at least three credits every fall, winter, and spring terms.
Previous education:
- Have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree.
- Have earned or will earn a high school credential in Washington state by June of the year that you apply.
- By the application deadline, you must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale), demonstrated on either a current high school or college transcript, OR a passing GED score (45 on the 1988 series, 450 on the 2002 series, or 145 on the 2014 series).
- If you have been in college since graduating high school and earned more than 90 quarter or 60 semester credits by the application deadline, you are not eligible to apply.
- If you earned college credits from the Running Start program or other dual credited high school programs, they do not count toward your eligibility. You can still apply even if you have more than 90-quarter or 60-semester credits from running start.
How do I apply?
Once you’ve confirmed you’re eligible based on the criteria above:
- Complete the scholarship application.
- Complete the FAFSA or WASFA
- We recommend completing your FAFSA or WASFA as early as possible to account for processing delays.
- Apply for Federal Education Tax Credits, if eligible.
Watch the video below to learn more about how to apply for the scholarship. Please note that this video was recorded in 2023, so it might look a little different than the current application.
Application tips
- If you don’t know exactly what major you want yet and haven’t yet chosen/been accepted to your school:
- For your major: When you apply, choose the major you’re most interested in/hope to pursue and double-check that it is included on the eligible majors’ list. If you become a Scholar and end up changing your major, you can keep your funding as long as the new major is still WSOS-eligible. If you do end up changing your major, you must notify us by sending an email to info@waopportunityscholarship.org.
- For colleges: Choose the college you hope to attend (even if you haven’t been accepted yet). To apply, your college must be included on our eligible colleges’ list. If you become a Scholar and this information changes, you can fill out a College of Enrollment update in your Scholar Portal.
- You will be required to upload an unofficial transcript to submit your application. If you aren’t sure where to access this, reach out to a guidance counselor or advisor for support! Your transcript will need to include your current or most recent school (note: if you are a high school student earning dual credit, provide your high school transcript), name, most recent cumulative GPA, and total earned credits (only applicable for college transcripts)
- Use the short essay guide to see examples of possible answers for the short essay section of the application. Remember, we aren’t scoring your essay for grammar or writing ability! We want to learn more about you and your story. The guide also offers guidelines on AI usage in your short essays. Short essay word count requirements range from 150 – 500 words. Feel free to utilize past essays for other scholarships to answer the questions.
- No references are needed to apply!
- Once you fill out every part of the application and press “Submit Application,” your application will be complete, and you will get a confirmation email. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it right away.
- The application will take about 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
- You can start the application, save progress, and complete it later up until the application deadline..
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How will I be told if I am selected?
Check your email! Recipients will be notified about their application via email, asked to accept the scholarship and complete an online orientation. Make sure to type your email accurately and add info@waopportunityscholarship.org to your list of trusted senders.
You can reapply if you aren’t selected as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
Once the application deadline passes, you will no longer be able to log into the application. You will be notified of any updates via email.
How many credits do I need to take?
Being enrolled in at least three credits is required to receive any WSOS funding. Students can enroll in the summer quarter after their first year as a Scholar.
How many terms of funding am I eligible for?
Please refer to the “How long do I receive funding” section of our current Baccalaureate Scholars page.
How are recipients selected?
The WSOS Board of Directors determines how we select recipients using criteria that includes factors such as a students’ financial need, commitment to STEM or health care, and academic achievement.
How does this scholarship impact other funding I receive/will receive? (e.g., Washington College Grant, College Bound, other scholarships)
Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS) funding is applied to your Cost of Attendance (COA) after all your other financial aid has been added, such as the Pell Grant and Washington College Grant. If the other financial aid you are receiving covers part or the total COA, then some or all your scholarship funding will be returned to WSOS.
What support will I receive as a recipient?
Opportunity Scholars receive exclusive resources on top of their scholarship, including connections, advice, networks, mentorship, and career development resources to help you succeed while in college and after you’ve graduated. Learn more about the support we provide on our current Scholars page.
When should I complete my FAFSA/WASFA application?
We recommend you complete your FAFSA or WASFA as soon as possible to account for processing delays.
Why can’t I log into the Scholar Portal?
The Scholar Portal can only be accessed by current Scholars. Applicants do not have access to the Scholar Portal. You will be notified via email about your selection status. If selected for the scholarship, you will receive instructions on how to access the Scholar Portal.
Contact Us
Still have questions? We’re here to help! Email us at info@waopportunityscholarship.org, or leave us a voicemail at 1-877-899-5002 and we’ll get back to you.