Students can (and should!) apply for scholarships and grants to help pay for your education. Scholarships and grants are money that does not need to be paid back.
Scholarships are typically offered based on financial need, academic or community achievements, or other criteria established by the organization awarding the scholarship (often called the “grantor”).
The SPSCC Foundation awarded more than $927,431 in scholarships and grants in 2022. Awards range from $500 to $3,000. All scholarships and grants are awarded contingent upon the availability of funds. Unfortunately, Running Start students are not eligible for Foundation scholarships at this time.
Students apply for all available scholarships through one application.
Questions? Contact scholarships@spscc.edu or by phone at 360-596-5541
Fall Scholarships Cycle: April 1 - June 30, 2023
The Fall Scholarships application cycle is open to all applicants on April 1. Offer emails will begin July 28, 2023. All applicants who do not receive a scholarship offer will be alerted by email once the awarding period has ended. Scholarships awarded from this application cycle will be made available for Fall Quarter 2023, provided the student completes the acceptance process by the deadlines outlined in the award offer email.
Award offers will be communicated to applicants through campus email accounts only.
Winter Scholarships Cycle: September 15 - November 5, 2023
The Winter application cycle is open to all applicants on September 15. Offer emails will begin November 29, 2023. All applicants who do not receive a scholarship offer will be alerted by email once the awarding period has ended. Scholarships awarded from this application cycle will be made available for Winter and Spring Quarter 2024, provided the student completes the acceptance process by the deadlines outlined in the award offer email.
Award offers will be communicated to applicants through campus email accounts only.
Students apply for all available scholarships through one general application online. To be eligible for a Foundation Scholarship, apply online during one of the application cycles above.
Applicants are matched with scholarship criteria and are reviewed and scored by a group of volunteers, faculty, and staff. Once applications are reviewed and awards are offered, applicants are required to complete a post-acceptance questionnaire.
For questions on aid eligibility, please contact Financial Aid at 360-596-5232. Contact scholarships@spscc.edu for general SPSCC Foundation Scholarship questions.
If you were awarded an SPSCC Foundation Scholarship, you must complete the following requirements and deadlines in order to receive the scholarship. Not meeting these requirements can lead to the withdrawal of your scholarship.
Requirements include:
Foundation Scholarships are applied directly to Tuition and Fees. Contact your Financial Aid Advisor or the Financial Aid Department at financialaid@spscc.edu if you have questions or need to request changes.
Scholarships that are $1,000 or less are typically applied in full to the next quarter's tuition and fees. Your other forms of Financial Aid may be adjusted in order to fit in the full scholarship award within your aid package. Scholarships over $1,000 may be split equally over the coming academic year (ex. $1,500 = $500 per quarter Fall/Winter/Spring).
Foundation Scholarships are for use at SPSCC only and are not transferable to other institutions. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you do not plan to attend SPSCC.
You have until June 30, 2024 to use your scholarship.
You are required to notify the Financial Aid Office of any educational assistance you receive. Please notify us as soon as you know you are receiving funds so that we may coordinate the aid with the rest of your financial aid package.
Failure to report other financial resources can cause an over-award of funds. In some cases, this could result in a loss of future quarter aid, or require repayment of federal or state funds.
Examples of educational assistance include:
There is one online application for all Foundation Grant funding. Students must carefully review the types of grant funds listed below and select the specific fund to match their appropriate needs. After an application is submitted, students should check their SPSCC email for the next steps.
All Foundation Grant applications are reviewed by Financial Aid, and all offers are contingent upon Financial Aid's assessment of a student's current eligibility for additional aid. Financial Aid requires two weeks to review and determine eligibility once an application is received. Students must be enrolled in the current quarter at SPSCC to apply for a Foundation Grant. A student can only apply for each type of Foundation Grant once per academic year. For questions on aid eligibility, please contact Financial Aid at 360-596-5241.
Foundation grants are also subject to funds availability at the time the application is received. Grants offered may be less than the maximum amount listed for each category of grant.
Students applying for non-tuition grant requests must have their tuition balance paid or be on a payment plan for the quarter that they're applying for.
Emergency Fund, Maximum Award: $500
Having difficulty making ends meet? The Emergency Fund grant is available to all eligible students experiencing immediate financial hardship. Grants are available for past due rent, power or utility bills, car repair, medical or child care bills. Applicants are required to upload one bill they wish to be considered with their application. Please note that car payments, insurance, TV, traffic tickets and violations, court fees, phone and credit card bills are not eligible expenses for emergency fund grants.
You can apply for funds one time each academic year.
Testing Fund, Maximum Award: $500
Do you need assistance with non-GED® related testing fees? The Testing Fund grant is available to students who are seeking funds to help cover various college testing fees. Please contact Transition Studies if you have questions about GED® test waivers.
Textbook Library Loan Fund, Maximum Value: $500
The Textbook Library Loan Fund is available to eligible students that need to borrow textbooks for the current quarter. If approved, the SPSCC Library will order the required textbooks based on availability.
You can apply for funds one time each academic year.
Tools & Supplies Fund, Maximum Award: $500
Struggling with the cost of tools, supplies, or uniforms required for your program of study? The Tools & Supplies Fund grant is for students in programs that require uniforms, equipment, and supplies as part of their coursework. Applicants are required to upload a quote for tools from the bookstore, or other local vendors, to be considered with their application.
You can apply for funds one time each academic year.
Tuition Fund
The Tuition Fund is for full or part-time certificate or degree-seeking students who are experiencing an unexpected financial hardship and need help paying for tuition. You must be registered for classes in the quarter you're applying for. Your Financial Aid review for the current quarter must also be complete before we can determine your eligibility for a Foundation Tuition grant. Tuition Fund grants are directly applied to the tuition due on a student's account.
Please fill out a FAFSA or WASFA if you haven't already done so. These applications can help determine if you are eligible for other forms of aid besides student loans.
You can apply for funds one time each academic year.
Apply for one of the Foundation Grants listed above. Contact scholarships@spscc.edu if you have any questions about applying for a Foundation Grant.
Outside of SPSCC, many local, regional, and national organizations offer a wide variety of scholarships. The criteria, application process, deadlines, and amounts vary greatly among external scholarships. The links below offer some resources to help you find the right opportunities for you.
Live Your Dream Awards - Soroptimist
Soroptimist's Live Your Dream Awards program is a unique education grant for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects.
WA State Opportunity Grant - Career & Technical Scholarship
The Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS) supports Washington students on their path to high-demand trade, STEM, and healthcare occupations. To be eligible, scholars must enroll in an approved program, such as welding, manufacturing or IT, at one of Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges.
Early Achievers Scholarship
The Early Achievers Grant is a state supported financial aid program made available through Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The Early Achievers grant provides funding (tuition, books, and student support services) to help childcare providers earn Stackable certificates leading to an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. To qualify for this grant, you must be currently employed at an Early Achievers site. For more information please contact us at earlyachieversgrant@spscc.edu.
SPSCC has partnered with the iGrad Financial Wellness platform to help you achieve a better financial life, which includes a quick sign-up, regional and national scholarship searches, a 15-minute mini-course, and an e-book to guide you through the scholarship application process.
Additionally, students who are working towards their transfer degree at SPSCC and plan to transfer to a four-year university should connect with their transfer school about eligibility for Four-Year University Transfer Scholarships.
Note: When reviewing external scholarship opportunities, SPSCC does not endorse any given organization.
SPSCC students who are planning to attend a four-year university after completing their transfer degree may be eligible for Transfer Scholarships. Check with your intended transfer school to learn about all transfer scholarship opportunities.
Eastern Washington University Honors Scholarships
A $3,000 renewable scholarship for those who have a 3.7 GPA & AA or two years of coursework at a university.
University of Washington Transfer Scholarships
For undergraduates who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and financial need who will be admitted to UW in Fall Quarter.
University of Washington Do It Scholarships
Advancing the success of people with disabilities in education, research, and careers. DO IT: Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking & Technology
University of Washington Tacoma Next Step Scholarship
One scholarship is available for a student from each of the local area community colleges in the amount of $4,000 for one academic year.
Western Governors University Scholarships
WGU scholarship for new WGU students starting a degree program.
Helps students and parents identify colleges, degree programs, and scholarship opportunities to fit financial wants and needs.
Connects students to college success and opportunity, and prepares them for a successful transition to college through programs and services.
An integrated system of supports and scholarships to inspire underserved, low-income students to finish high school, graduate from college and succeed.
Scholarship opportunities for computer science majors that includes resources specific to women in computer science and STEM-related industries.
Resources for paying and preparing for college including scholarships for every student’s educational goals, activities, and interests.
Locates scholarships, grants, and fellowships in the U.S. for international students.
Information educating students and parents about scholarships.
The ultimate scholarship resource guide of sites established with resources to help pay for school.
A large collection of scholarships throughout the web.
Scholarships and grants for educators and those thinking of becoming educators.
Central access to scholarships and financial aid for Washington students.
