The Career & Technical Scholarship (CTS) is now closed.
Please look for updates on your selection status in mid-November. The next CTS application will open in March 2025 for the fall 2025-26 quarter.
Career & Technical Scholarship (CTS) 101
CTS is one of three pathways to high-demand careers in Washington state offered by WSOS. This program provides up to $1,500 per quarter for apprenticeship, certificate, or associate degree programs in STEM, health care, and the trades. WSOS can cover costs beyond tuition, such as housing, transportation, food, and more. There are over 1,000 eligible programs at all 34 of the state’s community and technical colleges.
If you’re interested in an associate degree, certificate, or apprenticeship from a community or technical college, or approved apprenticeship sponsor, then CTS is right for you!
If you’re interested in a bachelor’s degree instead or you want to earn a bachelor’s degree immediately after your associate degree, then you should apply for the Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS). BaS supports students earning a bachelor’s degree but CTS does not.
Deadlines
The CTS application opens two times per year. All applications close at 9:00 PM.
The winter/spring application is open to any student who wants to begin receiving funding starting in winter and/or spring quarter.
| Milestone | Winter & Spring Quarter |
|---|---|
| Application opens | September 24, 2024 |
| Application deadline | October 16, 2024 at 9:00 PM |
| 2024-25 FAFSA/WASFA Completion Deadline* | October 28, 2024 |
| Selection notification | Late November 2024 |
*We urge applicants to start and complete the 2024-25 FAFSA/WASFA applications as soon as possible to account for processing delays
Questions about completing your 2024-25 FAFSA/WASFA in time? Read our advice.
** The Career & Technical Scholarship application is for students who need funding for the winter or spring term. This is a change from previous years.
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 (adjusted gross income plus all untaxed income) that does not exceed 125% of Washington state median family income based on family size.
- When viewing the family income limits, applicants should use the income reported on their family tax returns and the 2024-25 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 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) by the deadline.
- Read more about the FAFSA/WASFA completion tips and processing timelines.
Education plan:
- Plan to enroll in an eligible program at an eligible Washington state community or technical college or with an approved apprenticeship program sponsor for the upcoming term.
- You don’t intend to earn a bachelor’s degree immediately after completing your program. If you do, apply for the Baccalaureate Scholarship.
- Plan to enroll in at least three credits every fall, winter, and spring term. Scholars enrolled in eligible apprenticeship programs may be exempt from this policy.
Previous education:
- Do not have a bachelor’s degree.
- Earned a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate. The diploma or high school equivalency doesn’t have to be from a Washington state institution.
How to apply
After confirming that you’re eligible using the details above:
- Complete the application.
- Complete the FAFSA or WASFA .
- You do not have to send WSOS any FAFSA or WASFA information. For more information about FAFSA/WASFA completion and processing times, visit this page.
- If eligible, apply for Federal Education Tax Credits.
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:
- Use this guide for tips on preparing the short answer section. We aren’t scoring for grammar or writing ability! We want to learn about you and your story. The guide also offers guidelines on AI usage in your short answer essays.
- No references or transcripts 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 return to complete it later up until the application deadline.
- Reminder that the winter/spring application is for students who need funding for both the winter or spring term. This is a change from previous years.
Rural Jobs Initiative (RJI) 101
The Rural Jobs Initiative (RJI) of CTS was created to address the unique barriers facing rural community and technical college students.
This program makes it easier for those farthest from the community and technical college campuses to earn a credential that will help them get a high-demand job in their rural community.
RJI recipients receive up to $3,500 in their first quarter, up to $2,500 in their second quarter, and up to $2,000 per quarter until they graduate or until they have received 15 terms of state financial aid. All Career & Technical Scholarship applicants are automatically reviewed and considered for RJI. There is no separate application to fill out.
Applicants must meet several eligibility criteria to be considered for RJI. A limited number of seats are available each application cycle, so not all eligible applicants will be selected.
If an applicant is selected for RJI, they will be notified in their selection email.
Rural Jobs Initiative (RJI): Specific eligibility criteria
What if I am not eligible for RJI? That’s okay! You do not need to be eligible for RJI to receive the Career & Technical Scholarship. RJI supports a small selection of students within the Career & Technical Scholarship program.
To be eligible for RJI, you must meet all CTS eligibility requirements as well as all of following criteria:
- Be a rural county resident. That means you live in any Washington state county EXCEPT King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Thurston, Clark, Benton, and Spokane; or be a high school graduate from a school district with fewer than 2,000 students AND be enrolled at one of Washington’s community and technical colleges that is located in a rural county:
- Bellingham Technical College, Big Bend Community College, Centralia College, Columbia Basin College, Grays Harbor College, Lower Columbia College, Olympic College (Shelton campus only), Peninsula College, Skagit Valley College, Spokane Community College (Colville, Inchelium, Ione, Newport, and Republic campuses only), Walla Walla Community College, Wenatchee Valley College, Whatcom Community College, and Yakima Valley College · Be a Washington state resident. Learn more about WSOS residency requirements.
- Be in a certificate, degree, or other industry-recognized credential or training program that has been identified by the board as a program that prepares students for a high employer demand field. · Have a family income that does not exceed 70% of the Washington state median family income adjusted for family size; and demonstrate financial need according to the free application for federal student aid or the Washington application for state financial aid.
- To remain eligible for scholarship funds under the rural jobs program, the student must meet satisfactory academic progress toward completion of an eligible program as established by the program. Rural jobs program eligibility may not extend beyond 5 years or 125% of the published length of the program in which the student is enrolled or the credit or clock-hour equivalent.
Receiving RJI funding is not a guarantee. WSOS is a competitive scholarship, and RJI seats are limited.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If I need scholarship funding in the spring or winter term, when do I apply?
Apply for the scholarship before October 16. This application is for students who need funding for both the winter or spring term.
How will I be told if I got the scholarship or not?
Check your email! Recipients will hear from us via email. You will be 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 if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria!
How many terms of funding am I eligible for?
Please refer to the “How long do I receive funding” section of our Career & Technical Current Scholars page.
How are recipients selected?
The WSOS Board of Directors determines how we select recipients using a criteria that includes factors such as a student’s financial need, their likelihood to persist, and academic achievement.
What support will I receive as a recipient?
Opportunity Scholars receive exclusive resources on top of their scholarship, including connections, advice, networks, and mentorship. 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. Read more about the FAFSA/WASFA completion tips and processing timelines.
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.