Washington College Bound Scholarship
Overview
This NEW four-year scholarship covers the cost of college tuition, fees and books for low-income students who sign a pledge in 7th or 8th grade promising to graduate from high school and to demonstrate good citizenship.
NEW for the 2007-2008 school year. 8th graders MUST complete application by June 1, 2008 to be eligible upon graduation from high school. 7th graders are also encouraged to complete an application this year. Eligibility: currently foster youth OR currently TANF OR currently receiving free or reduced lunch program OR presently meet low-income eligibility.
This program provides hope and incentive for students and families who otherwise might not consider college as an option because of its cost.
Eligibility
Seventh and eighth grade students from families eligible for free or reduced-priced lunches who sign the pledge may participate. Their family income must remain at 65 percent or less of the state’s median income by the time of high school graduation to permit a scholarship award.
Reason for the Program
To motivate and prepare these students to participate and succeed in postsecondary education. Washington ranks 32nd nationally in the percentage of low-income students who participate in postsecondary education. These students will represent 33 percent of the high school graduating class within 10 years.
This is occurring at a time when the state’s need for highly educated and highly skilled workers is growing rapidly. Without intervention, 72 percent of the 56,000 low-income seventh and eighth graders are unlikely to enroll or even aspire to attend college.
Process
The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) is administering the College Bound Scholarship program. By December 2007, materials will be sent to all middle schools with a link to the online application. In the meantime, OSPI and the HECB encourage you to share this information with your students and their families.
Click here to go to the online application
For more information:
College Bound Scholarship
Phone: 1-888-535-0747
http://www.hecb.wa.gov/paying/waaidprgm/collegeboundscholarship.asp
http://www.hecb.wa.gov/paying/waaidprgm/documents/CBSQandAs.pdf
https://fortress.wa.gov/hecb/portal/default.aspx/Common/CBSApplication/default.aspx