WSOS:
Washington State
Opportunity Scholarship
WA STEM
Washington State Opportunity
Scholarship
Supporting the next
generation of students
interested in studying
STEM and health care
in Washington state
• Community College
• University
• Public or Private
Washington State Opportunity
Scholarship
Supports low- and middleincome WA residents
Renewable for up to 5 years
for up to $22,500
Over 1,000 new scholarships
awarded last year
Scholarship Amounts
Based on the number of credits earned on your official
transcript
• Up to $2,500 for first-year and sophomore students
• Juniors can receive up to $5,000 depending on credits
earned
• Seniors can receive up to $7,500 depending on credits
earned
• With possible funding a fifth year for up to $5,000
Apply for WSOS
Application opens January 4 and
closes on February 29, 2016 at 5pm
Official transcript must be postmarked
by March 7, 2016
FAFSA must be filed by March 7, 2016
Apply for WSOS
Requirements:
 HS Senior planning to complete a bachelor’s degree
from a WA state community college or university
 Minimum 2.75 GPA
 Interested in one of the WSOS eligible majors
 Meets income guideline
 Completed FAFSA
 Special Circumstances – DACA and WASFA
 This is a renewable scholarship for up to 5 years of
college
Apply for WSOS
• Apply online only
• Student and Parent information needed (see a
sample of the application)
• One Essay question – 150 to 300 words
• Takes about 45 minutes to complete (no letters of
reference required)
Essay Question Choice – Pick One
(minimum 150 words – maximum 300 words)
Washington State is a global leader in many industries
such as computer science, engineering, health care, and
agriculture. The success of these industries can be
attributed to inspirational individuals and leaders. Please
tell us why one of these individuals or companies inspires
your pursuit of a science, technology, engineering, math
(STEM) or health care major at a Washington state college
or university.
- or Describe a personal experience that has kindled your
interest in the pursuit of a STEM or health care degree.
Scholar Experience
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Awards announced in May
2016 Summer Orientation (in person and online)
Awards appear in financial aid packet
Renew annually (Spring)
Declare major in your junior year
No payback required if student leaves STEM
program
WSOS Scholar Supports
• Office Hours
• Email and Direct Service
– Connecting to campus assets
– Connecting to employers (e.g., Adaptive Biotechnologies,
Intellectual Ventures)
• Sponsoring attendance at major conferences in the state
(e.g., ABRCMS, Joint Conference on Mathematics, NCUR)
• Encouraging students to partake in research and career
programs at the schools, in their towns.
• Rising internship and mentoring programs
WSOS Goal for 2016
Last year, 1,056
scholarships were
awarded.
WSOS is on track to
award scholarships to
every eligible applicant
this year!
More WSOS Information
waopportunityscholarship.org
Or search for “WSOS”
Questions:
info@waopportunityscholarship.org
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