Washington scholarships: Find free money for students

The Fostering Scholars Program was established in 2006 at Seattle University to promote the educational attainment of current and former foster youth. The student must be currently a dependent youth in state, tribal, or federally recognized foster care or aged out of state, tribal, or federally recognized care. The applicants must also have been offered admission or are awaiting notification of admission to Seattle University as either a freshman or transfer student to begin in the fall quarter. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund was established in 1987 and is funded by donations, variety show proceeds, and community fundraisers. Applicants must be pursuing post-secondary, undergraduate education in an accredited institution or program during the coming school year; are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or intersex or have an LGBTQI parent; and have been a resident for at least one year in the state of Oregon or eligible counties in Washington. A committee appointed by Peacock Productions, Inc. will review materials from all applicants and select finalists on the basis of the following qualifications: clarity of career and educational goals; potential to succeed in an educational program; experience as a volunteer or service-oriented leader; and commitment to the LGBTQ community. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation with their application packet. Each letter should come from a teacher, instructor, mentor, guidance counselor, supervisor, or other individual who can comment on the applicant's academic abilities, community involvement, potential for success, commitment to the LGBTQ community, or other qualifications as an applicant. All finalists will be interviewed by the Review Committee who determines who will receive scholarships and how much funding each recipient will receive. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Washington Wine Industry Foundation Fund was established to provide scholarships for students studying viticulture, enology, wine business management at CWU or WSU, and V&E Graduate Degree in food sciences. Enrollment in Washington state college or university is not required if the applicant is graduating from Washington state high school. Students not yet enrolled in college may apply. Students in a Certificate Program are not allowed to apply. Overall high school GPA for freshman applicants must be 3.40; and the overall college GPA of other applicants must be 3.0. Applicants must also be a Washington resident for at least 1 year. Preference will be given to students with financial need. Preference will also be given to students who demonstrate participation in extracurricular activities related to their field of study and have work or volunteer experience in their field of study. Two letters of recommendation are required. The letters should provide the Scholarship Committee with insight into the applicant's character, values, and unique attributes. If applicable, please provide a letter of acceptance into a wine or grape industry related degree program from the department director and a letter from the applicant's parent's employer. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The George & Susan Carter Scholarship was established in 2017 as an endowed fund in honor of Washington State University researcher and winemaker George Carter and his wife, Susan. The scholarship is awarded to one student for up to four years. This scholarship was established to assist students of limited means to attain associates, bachelors, and graduate-level degrees in viticulture and enology. Students not yet enrolled in college may apply, but students in a Certificate Program are not allowed to apply. Overall high school GPA of freshman applicants must be 3.40; and overall college GPA of other applicants must be 3.0. Applicants must also be a Washington resident for at least 1 year. Preference will be given to applicants with financial need. Preference will also be given to students who demonstrate participation in extracurricular activities related to their field of study and have work or volunteer experience in their field of study. Two letters of recommendation are required. The letters should provide the Scholarship Committee with insight into the applicant's character, values, and unique attributes. If applicable, please provide a letter of acceptance into a wine or grape industry related degree program from the department director and a letter from the applicant's parent's employer. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Robert and Margaret Pulliam Scholarship was established to encourage and reward academic excellence and community service. Scholarship recipients must be graduating seniors from one of the following high schools: Castle Rock High School; Kalama High School; Kelso High School; Mark Morris High School; R. A. Long High School; or Wahkiakum High School. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington for more information.

The Dick Streissguth Memorial Cadet Scholarship was established by People's Community Federal Credit Union in memory of Richard "Dick" Streissguth, who passed away in 2015. Dick served Clark County Fire District 6 for 61-years, moving from volunteer firefighter all the way to Fire Chief. He served on the People's Community Federal Credit Union board from 1968 until his passing in 2015, nearly 50-years of service. Students selected to receive the scholarship award must have completed, or will have completed prior to the receipt of the scholarship, any Fire Cadet program in Clark, Cowlitz, or Skamania county. Graduating high school seniors and current college students are eligible to apply. Applicants may submit one letter of recommendation from a person who can speak to their character, leadership, talents, and academic record. Letters from immediate or extended family members will not be accepted. This letter is not required, but is strongly recommended. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington for more information.

The Roy F. Mather Scholarship is available to residents of Clark County, WA who are pursuing a degree in engineering. Previous recipients of this scholarship may apply for additional awards each year they remain eligible. Renewal applicants will have special consideration or priority. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington for more information.

After graduating from Montclair High School, Jill Ann Newman Slansky was the recipient of a private scholarship which was very helpful in funding her college education. At the age of 50, she decided to give something back to the community she grew up in. She established the Jill Ann Newman Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation in 1996, which benefits graduates of Montclair High School who are pursuing a career in education. Applicants must be graduating seniors from Montclair High School in Montclair, New Jersey who plan to pursue a career in education, with preference given to students specializing in elementary or special education. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement and have participated in various school activities. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington for more information.

As retired educators, Jeff and Lola know the financial cost of earning a teaching degree has never been easily reimbursed by wages earned after graduation. They believe that education is key to success and happiness in life. To support the possibilities available to students interested in teaching, they established the Light the Way Teacher's Scholarship to support a profession that has been personally rewarding and fulfilling. Applicants must be current college students pursuing their bachelor's degree in education. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service; have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA in college coursework; and demonstrate financial need. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington for more information.