Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) 101
We believe every Washingtonian deserves access to a job that can pay for their needs. Access to these jobs starts with a great education. Completing a degree can feel overwhelming or impossible because of barriers like cost.
WSOS has helped over 8,000 students graduate into high-demand careers in Washington state. Most Scholars are first-generation students, women, or students of color. Opportunity Scholars graduate faster, take on less debt, and earn a higher average salary than their peers.
WSOS supports every Opportunity Scholar as they navigate college from start to finish. Career training and mentorship are part of the Scholar experience because we are committed to helping Scholars land their first great job.
You belong here. Become an Opportunity Scholar.
The WSOS team will support you from application to college to career.
Scholars:
- Receive flexible money that can be stacked with other aid like the Washington College Grant to cover costs beyond tuition, such as food, housing or transportation.
- Learn the skills needed to find a job.
- Find mentors, build a community, develop a network and launch a career.
Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS) 101
BaS 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.
Interested in an associate degree, apprenticeship, or certificate instead? Check out the Career & Technical Scholarship (CTS).
Application deadlines
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | January 4, 2023 |
| Application Deadline | February 28, 2023 |
| FAFSA or WASFA Submission Deadline | February 28, 2023 |
| Selection Notification | April 2023 |
| Acceptance Deadline | April 2023 |
Is the Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS) right for you?
Do you want an apprenticeship or certificate instead? Or do you want to earn an associate degree and then immediately start your career? Consider applying for the Career & Technical Scholarship (CTS)!
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!
How do I apply?
First, are you eligible?
Second, before the application deadline, you must:
- Complete the eligibility check
- Create an account
- Complete the application
- Submit an unofficial transcript (use this guide if you need help)
Note: You do not have to send WSOS any FAFSA or WASFA information.
How do I make sure I’m eligible?
- 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. Questions? Email info@waopportunityscholarship.org.
- Your STEM or health care major must be eligible.
- Your college or university must be eligible .
- You’re low- or middle-income (defined as 125% of the median family income in Washington state).
- If you are a high school senior or running start student, you need to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) or a passing GED score, and you need to earn your diploma or GED from a Washington state institution by June of the year that you apply.
- If you have enrolled in college since earning your high school credential, you need to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. You aren’t eligible to apply if you have already earned more than 90 quarter or 60 semester credits (unless you were a running start student when you were enrolled in high school).
- If you earned college credits from the running start program, they do not count towards your eligibility. You can still apply even if you have more than 90 quarter or 60 semester credits from running start.
- Questions? Use the credit/term eligibility flowchart.
Application tips
- Use this guide to see examples of possible answers for the short answer 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.
- No references are needed to apply!
- There is no “submit” button. Once you fill out every part of the application, 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.
- You can start the application, save progress, and complete it later up until the application deadline.
- You can reference the “My Application Status” section of the application to confirm if you’ve completed your application.
Application Process
In addition to completing our application you must also:
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) by the application deadline.
- Apply for Federal Education Tax Credits if eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How will I be told if I am selected?
Check your email! Recipients will hear from us by 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.
How many credits do I need to take?
Plan to enroll in at least three or more credits every term. Students can enroll in the summer quarter after their first year as a Scholar.
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.
Can I apply if I don’t know exactly what major I want yet and I haven’t yet chosen/been accepted to my 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 at the beginning of June.
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?
- The deadline to complete your FAFSA/WASFA is when the Baccalaureate Scholarship application closes.
- However, we highly encourage you to complete the FAFSA/WASFA application before the deadline since it can take a few days for your FAFSA/WASFA application to be processed.
- If you plan to submit your FAFSA/WASFA application by mail, send it at least a few weeks before the deadline to factor in additional processing time.
Still have questions? We’re here to help. Email us at info@waopportunityscholarship.org.