Higher education is evolving, and students aren’t just seeking degrees — they’re looking for clear, practical pathways to meaningful careers. Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS), along with key partners like BECU and the BECU Foundation, is playing a critical role in creating direct pathways to credential attainment and career success in Washington state. 

In 1935, getting a job at Boeing was a life-changer, but there was a big hurdle: you had to buy your own tools, something very few people could afford given the economic hardships of the time. That is, until one Boeing employee, William Dodge, learned about the power of credit unions in a Reader’s Digest article. Dodge gathered a group of coworkers and founded a credit union built on the belief that financial barriers should never stand in the way of opportunity. This is how BECU came to be, and nearly ninety years later, that same belief is alive and well. 

While talent is everywhere, opportunities aren’t. Just like those early Boeing workers who needed a hand to get started, today’s students face barriers to higher education that can derail their dreams. Whether it’s tuition, tools, or transportation, the cost of education can be overwhelming. That’s why BECU Foundation partners with WSOS to offer flexible financial assistance that can cover these expenses, helping students remain in their programs and persist to graduation.

From a handful of workers helping each other buy tools during the Great Depression to thousands of students building careers in high-demand industries today, the mission has stayed the same: remove barriers, unlock potential, and create opportunity right here in Washington. Joe, an Opportunity Scholar who earned his associate degree in machining from Bates Technical College, put it this way:  

“It’s rewarding knowing that BECU is the credit union I choose for my personal finances, and it pleases me to see them giving so much back to the community they serve.” 

BECU Foundation is a proud corporate partner of WSOS, investing more than $1.1 million to support students across Washington, especially those pursuing high-demand careers in the trades, technical fields, health care, and engineering. BECU Foundation’s Opportunity Scholarship has supported more than 162 students at WSOS. Consider spreading the word to someone you know, a customer you just met, or a potential corporate partner — word of mouth is one of the best ways to broaden awareness of this opportunity here in Washington state. 

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Career & Technical Scholarship (CTS) 

For students in Washington pursuing certificates, apprenticeships, or associate degrees in trades and technical fields. Up to $1,500 per quarter.

Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS) 

For students in Washington pursuing a four-year degree in high-demand fields like engineering, health care, and computer science. Up to $22,500 over four years.