Students used to ask, “Can I get into college?” Increasingly, the question is, “Can I finish?” 

Academic ability alone does not determine whether a student earns a credential. Often, success depends on whether a student has enough support to continue when life becomes difficult. Today, students are balancing coursework alongside rising housing and food costs, transportation expenses, work obligations, and, in some cases, family responsibilities. Like a rubber band, they are stretched from multiple directions at once. 

Supporting student success means looking beyond tuition bills and understanding the full reality students are navigating. Student success involves a lot more than just opening the door to postsecondary education — it’s vital to help students stay on the path once they walk through it. 

Student needs are evolving, and WSOS is evolving alongside them. Supporting Opportunity Scholars through completion is only part of the equation. Success also means helping them transition from education into careers that strengthen Washington’s economy and communities. But WSOS isn’t doing this work alone. 

Since 2019, the BECU Foundation has invested in Washington students through its partnership with WSOS, contributing over $1.4 million and supporting more than 190 Scholars through the BECU Foundation Opportunity Scholarship. At its core, the partnership is about helping students pursue their education with greater confidence and financial stability. 

“We want to support a future where financial pressures don’t stand between students and their secondary education. That’s why the BECU Foundation is proud to invest in WSOS and help more Washington students reach their goals and build a path toward economic opportunity,” said Tisha Held, Philanthropy & BECU Foundation Manager. 

Together, WSOS and the BECU Foundation are helping create pathways from education to career. In addition to scholarships, Opportunity Scholars can access career-connected learning, mentorship, internships, “Industry Insider” events, financial aid education, FAFSA completion support, and other resources designed to help them complete college and successfully launch their careers. 

For Erik, a Career and Technical Scholar studying cybersecurity at Bates Technical College, support from WSOS has made a meaningful difference. Reflecting on his experience, Erik shared that receiving a scholarship reminded him that “others believe in second chances, growth, and the power of education to transform lives.” He went on to share that WSOS has been more than just a scholarship, “it’s been a source of encouragement and connection. The program’s structure and support have made it easier to stay focused, motivated, and confident as I work toward my certifications.” 

WSOS is also taking a deeper look at the data to better understand where students are stopping out, why they are stopping out, and which supports have the greatest impact on completion and long-term success. This work helps identify how challenges such as rising costs, food insecurity, work obligations, family responsibilities, and changes in the financial aid landscape affect students’ ability to stay enrolled and continue toward their goals. 

When students have the support they need, the results are measurable. Career and Technical Scholarship recipients face 36% less unmet financial need and pay 35% less toward their education than comparable students. They complete credentials at higher rates, 63% compared with 58%, and earn those credentials 5% faster. 

Those outcomes carry into the workforce and into communities across Washington. 80% of Career and Technical Scholarship alumni report being employed, with most working in health care, STEM, and the trades. Nearly half have pursued or are currently pursuing an additional degree or credential, and another 30% plan to continue their education. 87% remain in the same county where they originally applied to WSOS, strengthening the communities where they live and work. 

These outcomes reflect a shared belief between WSOS and the BECU Foundation: Student success requires more than access. It requires the support, resources, and opportunities that help students complete their education, prepare for meaningful careers, and achieve long-term economic mobility. 

Every student’s journey looks different, but none of them should have to choose between paying rent and staying enrolled, supporting their family and completing a credential, or responding to a crisis and continuing to pursue their future. By investing in completion, workforce readiness, and long-term success, WSOS and the BECU Foundation are helping create the conditions that allow students not just to access opportunity, but to realize it. 

The need for pathways that connect education to careers remains as urgent as ever. Washington continues to face workforce shortages in health care, STEM, and the trades. Supporting students from credential to career, and helping them stay on the path along the way, remains one of the most important investments we can make in Washington’s future. 

The Career and Technical Scholarship application window opens September 29, 2026. Consider helping us spread the word to eligible applicants and potential donors to join us in this work.