Best resources for college scholarships in Washington State

I'm gearing up for college applications and I'm from Washington State. I've heard that there are some state-specific scholarships that I should definitely look into. Can anyone share experiences or resources for finding scholarships specifically for students from Washington? I'd love to know about both merit-based and need-based options, as well as whether there are unique opportunities for residents here.

It sounds like you're on the right track considering both state-specific scholarships and merit-based scholarships for your college education.

In Washington State, there are actually quite a few scholarships specifically for residents. One of the largest is the Washington State Need Grant which provides financial aid to low-income undergraduate students who are residents of Washington State pursuing certificate programs, job training, apprenticeships, or college.

You can also look into scholarship programs such as the College Bound Scholarship, which is a great need-and-merit-based program for low-income students in Washington State. You have to sign up in middle school, but if you did, make sure to meet its high school requirements to receive the scholarship upon graduation.

Outside of need-based options, there's the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship. This one is for Washington residents pursuing high-demand fields such as STEM or healthcare.

There are also a number of local scholarships offered by community organizations or foundations. The Community Foundations of Washington is a great resource for a bunch of smaller, local scholarships, some of which are merit-based and some of which are need-based.

Just remember, scholarship searches are going to require diligence and effort in researching and applying well ahead of deadlines. Also, make sure you complete the FAFSA and the WASFA (if you’re an eligible non-citizen) as many scholarship applications will require it.

Lastly, merit-based scholarships are less location-dependent but here's a tip: Many of them love to see exceptional achievement or leadership (think Tier 1 or Tier 2 level activities). So, showcase your accomplishments and demonstrate excellence in your area of passion!

It's great that you're taking the initiative to look for scholarships and grants to offset your education expenses. Keep up the good work and don't shy away from applying to as many as you can!