Overview
This page is for current Opportunity Scholars in the Baccalaureate Scholarship program. If you’re applying for the Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS), visit the Baccalaureate applicants web page.
The Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS) provides up to a total of $22,500 in scholarship funding to students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in high-demand STEM and health care majors in Washington state. This funding can be combined with other financial aid to help cover tuition, fees, and everyday costs — like housing, food, and more.
WSOS is more than a scholarship – we’re here to help you graduate and launch your career. As an Opportunity Scholar, you’ll gain access to:
- Mentorship and career advice
- Professional networks and connections
- Resources to help you succeed in college and beyond
Upcoming milestones and deadlines for current Baccalaureate Scholars
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026-2027 college change deadlines | Fall quarter: August 26, 2026 Fall semester July 29, 2026 |
| Winter 2026-2027 college change deadlines | Winter quarter: December 26, 2026 |
| Spring 2026-2027 college change deadlines | Spring quarter: March 10, 2027 Spring semester: December 16, 2026 |
| Renew your scholarship for the 2027-28 academic year | April 20, 2027 – May 13, 2027 |
| FAFSA/WASFA filing deadline | June 1, 2027 |
| Submit a Major & Credit Verification (formerly known as Award Increase Request) for the 2026-27 academic year* | June 25, 2027 |
During the academic year, your scholarship funds will be disbursed once per term to the financial aid office at the college we have on record. Your college’s financial aid office has access to your award amount within the portal. All questions concerning the timing of when your scholarship will be applied to your student account should be directed to the financial aid department.
Also, please note the deadlines for making changes to your college each term. If you do not submit a College and Enrollment Update Form by this deadline, you will not be eligible for WSOS funding for that term.
Scholar Portal information
Access information about your scholarship
Looking for information about your scholarship? Before looking anywhere else, visit the Scholar Portal to view key details and submit forms to update your account, including:
- All scholarship funding and disbursement information.
- Important deadlines for your scholarship.
- Contact information, including adding your student ID number so WSOS can send your disbursement to the correct student account.
- Submit the required forms, such as the Major & Credit Verification or the Renewal Form.
- Update your college information.
If you applied for the Baccalaureate Scholarship, please note that you do not have access to the Scholar Portal yet. You will receive any updates regarding your selection status via email. If selected to be an Opportunity Scholar, you will receive instructions on how to access the Scholar Portal at that time.
- For optimal user experience, do not use Apple Safari web browser to log in
- View the web manual on how to navigate the Scholar Portal.
What do I need to do to keep receiving my scholarship, or what if I’m graduating?
Submit the Renewal Form each year, or the Graduation Form if you are graduating
All Opportunity Scholars are required to complete the Renewal form every year. This means:
- Submit the Renewal Form in the Scholar Portal by the advertised deadline.
- Completing your FAFSA or WASFA and having it processed by the advertised deadline.
If you have already graduated or will be graduating this year, please submit the Graduation Form instead. You can find the Graduation Form in the Scholar Portal under the “Submit Request” tab
Please fill out the Graduation Form only if you have completed your Bachelor’s Degree. If you are a Baccalaureate Scholar, you would not need to complete a graduation form to let us know you have completed your Associate’s Degree.
Submit a Major & Credit Verification (formerly known as Award Increase Request) by your deadline
Baccalaureate Scholars are also required to submit and be approved for a Major & Credit Verification by their deadline. Each Scholar has a unique Verification Deadline, which can be found in the Scholar Portal under “Scholarship Info”. You may submit the Major & Credit Verification. before the deadline if you meet the requirements.
How long do I receive WSOS funding?
You can receive WSOS funding for a total of 18 quarters or 12 semesters, but it can depend on a few different factors.
- If you were enrolled in college at or before applying for the WSOS scholarship, read the section below about finding your application grade.
- If you’ve already received funding from the Washington College Grant (WCG), read the section below about WCG.
Note: Once you become a Scholar, make sure to add the @waopportunityscholarship.org domain to your list of safe senders, so you receive our emails! These emails will remind you of important deadlines. If you miss important scholarship deadlines (such as renewing your scholarship or submitting a verification request), exceed the maximum number of years of funding, or have received the maximum funding of $22,500, you will be withdrawn from the scholarship.
How long will you receive funding using the Application Grade
WSOS calculates what we consider to be your grade level, “Application Grade,” when you apply for the scholarship.
- This is based on how many terms you have received state financial aid and/or the number of credits earned after high school or through dual enrollment.
- As outlined in the chart below, your “application grade” determines how long you can receive $2,500 of WSOS funding before you must be accepted into your major and submit an Major & Credit Verification. If your request is approved, you’ll receive more funding.
- You can learn more about your funding in your Scholar Portal.
| Application grade | How long you can receive $2,500 in funding before you must be accepted into your major | |
| High school senior (12) | 9 quarters/6 semesters | |
| First year college (13) | 6 quarters/4 semesters | |
| Second-year college (14) | 3 quarters/2 semesters |
Washington College Grant Funding
When you apply for WSOS, WSOS verifies your FAFSA/WASFA completion, income eligibility, and any Washington College Grant (WCG) terms you have used.
- WCG terms are the number of quarters or semesters that an applicant has received WCG funding.
- All Scholars can receive a maximum of 12 semesters or 18 quarters of funding from WSOS, including any previous WCG funding terms they’ve received. Once you accept the scholarship, we will confirm how long you’ve received WCG funding (if you’ve received any) and subtract that from the total 18 quarters or 12 semesters of WSOS funding you can receive.
- For example, if you received WCG funding for all three quarters of your first year of college, then you have used three WCG terms. Those three terms are then subtracted from the total WSOS funding terms you can receive – 18 WSOS total funding terms minus three WCG funding terms means you could receive WSOS funding for up to 15 terms.
- You will be notified when you are approaching your final academic year of funding.
How much funding do I receive?
Amount per academic year:
You will receive up to $2,500 each year until you submit an Major & Credit Verification. The academic year includes the fall, winter, and spring terms. Your annual funding amount may change if you use summer funding.
Opportunity Scholars will receive the funding described below up to their Cost of Attendance (COA) after other financial aid has been applied. Depending on the amount of other aid you are receiving, it is possible that you may not receive the full scholarship amount. We encourage you to contact your Financial Aid office to better understand your COA and how WSOS funds stack with other aid.
Once you receive 18 quarters or 12-semester terms of funding or have received the maximum funding of $22,500, you will be withdrawn from WSOS.
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 part-time enrollment, fewer than 3 credits: Not eligible for funding
Note: If you are not meeting your school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy during a given term, you will not be eligible for WSOS funding until you are meeting SAP again. Please reach out to your school’s financial aid office if you would like to make an appeal.
| Amount Per Academic Year | |
| Before you are approved for increase | $2,500 |
| First year after you are approved for an increase | $5,000 |
| Second year after you are approved for an increase | $7,500 |
| Third year after you are approved for an increase | $5,000 |
How do I request summer funding?
All current Baccalaureate Scholars who have not reached the maximum term or maximum amount of funding by the end of the current academic year are eligible for summer funding. Summer funding can be requested through the Renewal Form, which is available in the Scholar Portal every spring. Scholars will be notified via email when the Renewal Form opens each year.
You should carefully consider the implications of using your scholarship during summer term.
Click the ‘plus’ sign on the right to see a list of considerations:
Scholars can only receive WSOS funding for up to 12 semesters or 18 quarter terms or the maximum award of $22,500; if summer funding is requested, it does count as a term.
- How do I receive summer funding from WSOS at my school? Check with your college to confirm which year’s FAFSA/WASFA you must fill out/update in order to receive financial aid in the summer. Some colleges require additional information or an additional summer funding application to receive financial aid. Before requesting summer funding from WSOS, you should check with your financial aid office to confirm what forms are required, the deadline to receive financial aid, and how much financial aid you could receive to cover the summer term.
- I haven’t been approved for a Major & Credit Verification yet. How does this impact my summer funding request? Using summer funding before you have submitted and been approved for aMajor & Credit Verification may have an impact on your scholarship in the future. You could potentially use up all your available $2,500 funding support, and if that occurs, you will be placed on deferment until you submit and are approved for a Major & Credit Verification.
- I plan to enroll part-time during the summer. How does this impact how much funding I receive? If you are enrolled part-time (3-11 credits), your funding will be prorated.
- I want to receive increased funding during the summer. What do I need to do? You must submit and be approved for a Major & Credit Verification by the Renewal deadline to receive increased funding during the summer.
- Why was my summer funding request denied? If you are required to submit and be approved for a Major & Credit Verification to continue receiving funding from WSOS, your summer funding request will be denied. To receive summer funding, you must submit and be approved for a Major & Credit Verification by the Renewal deadline.
Deferments
All Scholars can defer their scholarship for one academic year (2 semesters or 3 quarters). A deferment is a pause in your scholarship where you will not receive WSOS funding for the term(s) you request.
To request a deferment, please submit a Deferment Request Form in the Scholar Portal under the “Submit
Request” tab.
Note that deferments may be added to your account by us, even if you did not request them, if your school determines that you are not meeting any of the following WSOS eligibility criteria:
- You were not enrolled at your school during a given term(s)
- You were enrolled in fewer than 3 credits during a given term(s)
- You were not meeting your school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy during a given term(s)
If your deferment request is approved, we will add your deferments to your account for the term(s) you requested.
If you have already reached the maximum number of deferments available and you request another deferment, your request will be denied. If you exceed the maximum number of deferments available, you will be withdrawn from the scholarship.
Support you receive beyond your scholarship funding
WSOS provides connections, advice, networks, mentorship, and career development resources to help you succeed in college and beyond.
Mentorship programs
The Scholar Lead Program is our peer-mentoring program. Some Scholars may have the opportunity to connect with a Scholar Lead. Scholar Leads are further along in their academic journey and provide peer support, share WSOS and on-campus resources, and help Scholars navigate their educational journey. Scholars are matched with Scholar Leads based on established program criteria, and not every Scholar will be matched with a Scholar Lead.
The Skills that Shine (StS) Mentorship Program is our industry mentorship program. Scholars are paired with an industry professional who becomes a mentor. Your mentor can connect you to job and internship opportunities, expand your network, help with a resume, cover letter, and more.
Leadership programs
Scholar Lead Program: As a third, fourth, or fifth-year Scholar or recent alum, you can support current Scholars as a Scholar Lead! In this role, you’d serve as a peer mentor to fellow Scholars around the state throughout the school year under the supervision and support of a WSOS Program Advisor. You’ll engage with Scholars to help them navigate the college environment and foster a sense of community.
Career development
Opportunity Scholars are invited to participate in one-of-a-kind events and career–readiness training with WSOS partners, including:
- Learning how to access jobs at top employers in Washington state in your field of study;
- Accessing available internships and jobs across the state of Washington; and
- Participating in WSOS-exclusive trainings and engaging in career readiness resources.
These resources are invaluable. Make sure to read all emails you receive from WSOS! They often include key opportunities for career development.
Reach out to placement@waopportunityscholarship.org with any questions or concerns about WSOS programming.
Join the WSOS-exclusive Opportunity Scholar and Alumni LinkedIn group. By joining the group, you can grow your professional network, hear first about internship and job opportunities, and learn more about professional development opportunities in your field of study.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if I decide to attend a different school than what’s in my Scholar Portal?
If you have not been approved for a Major & Credit Verification: You must submit a College & Program Update Form in your Scholar Portal.
In your Scholar Portal, go to Submit Request > Submit College of Enrollment Update.
In your Scholar Portal, go to Submit Request > Request Award Increase.
If you have already been approved for a Major & Credit Verification at your previous school, you need to submit a new Major & Credit Verification to show that you are still pursuing an eligible major at your new school.
What if I decide to change my major/program?
If you have not been approved for a Major & Credit Verification: Update your major/program when you submit an Major & Credit Verification or the Annual Renewal form, whichever comes first.
If you have already been approved for a Major & Credit Verification for your original major: Submit a new Major & Credit Verification to show that you are still pursuing an eligible major.
In your Scholar Portal, go to Submit Request > Request Award Increase.
What if I have graduated with my AA degree, should I fill out the graduation form?
Please do not fill out the graduation form if you are a Baccalaureate Scholar and have completed your AA. You will only fill out the graduation form when you have completed your Bachelor’s Degree in order to let us know you no longer need funding.
Why don’t I see my scholarship in my financial aid award letter?
Your scholarship may not show up in your financial aid award letter from your school before the start of the academic year because of your institution’s financial aid office timing. Rest assured that your financial aid office is made aware of all upcoming disbursements.
Why did I receive less than my full award amount?
Please contact your school’s financial aid office to confirm why you didn’t receive your full award amount.
WSOS sends your full award amount to your school each term. When you don’t receive the total WSOS amount, it could mean one of the following:
Less than part-time enrollment, fewer than 3 credits: Not eligible for funding
WSOS can be used to cover up to your Cost of Attendance (COA). COA = tuition, fees, books, supplies, and living expenses for one academic year. When you don’t receive the total WSOS amount, it could mean your COA is met for that term or academic year by other sources of your financial aid package.
When you do the FAFSA this year, you will receive a Student Aid Index (SAI) number. If your SAI is higher than your COA, you are not eligible for WSOS funding.
If you receive other forms of financial aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant, Washington College Grant, or other scholarships, it may impact how much WSOS funding you receive.
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
Can I use my scholarship to pay for remedial, transitional (ABE, ESL, high school completion), and continuing education classes?
WSOS funds remedial courses since they are college credit classes, and the cost is equivalent to the total cost of a college credit class.
We do not fund transitional or continuing education classes, as they are typically free or low in cost.
What is Major & Credit Verification?
Major & Credit Verification, formerly known as Award Increase Request, is the process Baccalaureate Scholars use to confirm two things:
- You were admitted into a WSOS-eligible major
- You have completed at least 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
This verification helps you access increased funding at the right stage in your academic journey. After your Major & Credit Verification has been approved, you will receive double the funding amount for the following academic year.
All Scholars are assigned a deadline for submitting their Major & Credit Verification. Find your specific deadline in the Scholar Portal on the “Scholarship Info” page.
You can submit your Major & Credit Verification before the deadline if you meet the requirements.
What’s changing
- Major & Credit Verification is the same process you may have previously seen called the Award Increase Request. The name was updated to better reflect the process.
- The updated name has not changed the eligibility requirements, documentation, or your assigned deadline.
Same requirements
- The name Major & Credit Verification replaces Award Increase Request, but the requirements and documentation for that process have not changed.
- By their assigned deadline, Baccalaureate Scholars will continue to submit:
- A Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) letter from your college or university
- An unofficial transcript that demonstrates you’ve met the minimum credit requirements.
- The process has a new name, but it works the same way.
Why you may still see “Award Increase Request”
- As we update our systems, you may still see Award Increase Request mentioned in some places. Both names refer to the same process — Major & Credit Verification is the updated name moving forward.
What’s changing in the Scholar Portal?
In November 2026, Opportunity Scholars will move to a new Scholar Portal that will be easier to use.
You’ll notice:
- A new Scholar Portal link to bookmark
- A cleaner layout and simpler navigation
While the Scholar Portal will look a little different, the following have not changed:
- Your scholarship information
- Eligibility requirements and deadlines
- The support you receive from WSOS
Timeline:
- Starting November 1, the Scholar Portal will be view-only through mid-November while we transition to a new system.
- We’ll share the new portal link and next steps as soon as they’re available, likely during the week of November 16.
How to prepare:
- If you need to complete tasks or update your information, please do so before November 1. If you have urgent requests during the transition, email info@waopportunityscholarship.org.
- Other than that, just make sure to bookmark the new Scholar Portal link once it’s ready!
Contact us
Email is the primary way we communicate with you. Make sure to check your spam settings to make sure you are receiving WSOS emails. While you have the right to unsubscribe from WSOS emails, this will result in missing important information and deadline reminders.
Questions? Contact info@waopportunityscholarship.org, or leave us a voicemail at 1-877-899-5002, and we’ll get back to you.
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