The Career & Technical Scholarship application window will open March 18 for funding starting fall 2026.
Career & Technical Scholarship (CTS) 101
CTS is one of three pathways to high-demand careers in Washington state offered by WSOS. This scholarship provides up to $1,500 per quarter, every quarter, toward eligible associate degrees, certificates, or apprenticeships at eligible community or technical colleges. CTS funding can also be used at two apprenticeship sponsors AJAC Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships and Evergreen Rural Water. Search the sponsor name in the eligible programs list. WSOS can cover costs beyond tuition, such as housing, transportation, food, and more.
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 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 twice per year. All applications close at 9 p.m.
The winter-spring application is open to any student who wants to receive funding beginning in winter or spring quarter.
| Milestone | Winter-spring application cycle: |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | October 16, 2025 at 9 p.m. |
| 2025-26 FAFSA/WASFA Completion Deadline* | October 16, 2025 |
| Selection notification | Late November 2025 |
| Milestone | Fall application cycle: |
|---|---|
| Application opens | March 18, 2026, at 9 a.m. |
| Application deadline | April 15, 2026 at 9 p.m. |
| Selection notification | Most likely May 2026 |
*We urge applicants to start and complete the 2025-26 and 2026-27 FAFSA/WASFA applications as soon as possible to account for processing delays
Questions about completing your FAFSA/WASFA in time? Read our advice.
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 2025-26 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 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) by the deadline.
- Read our advice on how to complete the FAFSA or WASFA
Education plan:
- This scholarship provides up to $1,500 per quarter, every quarter, toward eligible associate degrees, certificates, or apprenticeships at eligible community or technical colleges. CTS funding can also be used at two apprenticeship sponsors AJAC Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships and Evergreen Rural Water. Search sponsor name in eligible programs list.
- 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.
- Have earned or will earn a high school credential by June of the year that you apply. The high school credential 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.
Rural Jobs Initiative (RJI) 101
The Rural Jobs Initiative (RJI) of CTS was created to address the unique barriers facing rural communities 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 complete their program. 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 the following criteria:
Residency:
- Be a Washington state resident. Learn more about WSOS residency requirements.
- 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.
- 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.
Financial Need:
- 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 (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
Education plan:
- Plan to enroll 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-demand field. Learn more about our eligible programs.
- To remain eligible for scholarship funds under the Rural Jobs Initiative, 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 six years or 150% 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)
What application cycle should I apply to?
If you will need funding beginning fall 2026, please apply to the application cycle opening March 18. If you will not need funding until winter or spring, the winter-spring application cycle will open in the fall, and we encourage you to apply at that time.
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?
CTS recipients will receive up to $1,500 per quarter for the duration of their program or until they have received 18 terms of state financial aid, as long as they meet all WSOS eligibility criteria and are enrolled in at least 12 credits. Scholars enrolled part-time will receive a prorated scholarship amount.
- Full-time enrollment, 12 credits: Eligible for 100% of funding
- Part-time enrollment, 3-11 credits: Eligible for prorated (partial) funding
- Less than a quarter enrollment, fewer than 3 credits: Not eligible for funding
Depending on the amount of other financial aid you’re receiving, it’s possible that you may not receive the full WSOS amount noted above.
We encourage you to contact your Financial Aid Office to better understand COA and how WSOS funds stack on top of other financial aid.
Opportunity Scholars will receive the funding described above up to their Cost of Attendance (COA)* and after other financial aid has been applied.
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.