Financial Aid Resources
Every fall BSD provides financial aid resources at the Senior Financial Aid Awareness Day in the fall. As well, additional resources and presentations are available in February at the district College Conference. Your family will complete either the FASFA or the WASFA. Filing one of these forms is the first step toward financial aid for college.
To help get you started on your scholarship search, below is a sample list of mostly local scholarships. Additional resources can be found on websites such as The WashBoard, MyScholly and FinAid. The below list is updated as new scholarships are announced so check back periodically or stop by the College + Career Center.
SCHOLARSHIP LIST
As one of the nation’s largest need-based college scholarship programs in the country, the Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs specifically assist high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. While many programs are directed primarily to recognizing academic achievement or leadership potential, the Horatio Alger Association seeks students who have exhibited determination, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as have critical financial need.
Amount: Varies | Approximate Due Date: Varies
The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to 300 of these student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential.
Amount: Varies | Approximate Due Date: September
GSBA awards educational scholarships to LGBTQ and straight-ally students who are committed to making a difference in the world. Our scholarships range up to $13,000 annually and are meant to provide significant support as you pursue your educational goals.
Amount: Varies up to $13,000 | Approximate Due Date: January
Washington State Fair Blue Ribbon Scholarships
The Blue-Ribbon Scholarship Program is made possible through the generosity of the Foundation’s donors. Since the inception of the program in 1991, over $1,400,000 in awards have been distributed and have provided a “fair chance” at a college education. As support of the program has grown, so have the opportunities for students. We are now pleased to offer scholarships to students statewide.
Amount: Varies | Approximate Due Date: January
WASHINGTON NASA SPACE GRANT SCHOLARSHIP FOR INCOMING FRESHMAN
The Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium annually offers scholarships for incoming UW freshmen. Each year some of Washington State’s best high school seniors, Running Start, and Early Entrance students vie for a chance to study science, engineering, or math at the University of Washington on a Space Grant Scholarship. These competitive scholarships are based on high school academic achievement, standardized test scores, personal essays, recommendations, and future academic promise.
Amount: $2,000 – $5,000 | Approximate Due Date: January
MUSEUM OF FLIGHT POST-SECONDARY STEM EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Several scholarship opportunities for high school seniors planning to attend a college or university in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics related to the field of aviation or aerospace.
Amount: Varies | Approximate Due Date: February
WASHINGTON STATE OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
WSOS offers two scholarship programs for Washington state residents pursuing a credential towards a high-demand career in Washington state. Our Baccalaureate Scholarship is for Scholars pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM or health care field. The Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS) is for Scholars pursuing a certificate, apprenticeship or associate degree in a high-demand trade, STEM or health care field such as welding, manufacturing or information technology. Our scholarship funds are flexible and can be used to cover tuition, fees and other costs of attendance such as housing, transportation, food and more.
Amount: Varies | Approximate Due Date: February
SEATTLE FOUNDATION / PATRICIA FISHER ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP
Seattle Association of Black Journalists is offering a scholarship for college-bound African American students interested in journalism. It is the Patricia Fisher Endowed Scholarship – in remembrance of a former Seattle Times legend. We are interested in students with a passion for journalism who would make outstanding reporters.
Amount: $500 – $2,500 | Approximate Due Date: March
BELLEVUE COLLEGE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
All BC Foundation scholarships are to be used at BC only and can be applied to tuition, fees and, in some cases, books. The application for scholarships is available annually from January through March. Scholarships provide funding for the upcoming academic year – Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Students can apply multiple years as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Amount: Varies | Approximate Due Date: March
THE ROBERT J HANDY & WSSR FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
The Washington State School Retirees’ Association (WSSRA) invites high school seniors who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to apply for the Robert J. Handy and WSSR Foundation scholarships. These awards are given to students who plan to have a career in the “field of education”. Eight (8) WSSR – Foundation Scholarships and sixteen (16) Robert J. Handy Scholarships will be awarded to students whose degree would be in one of these areas: teacher, counselor, speech therapist, occupational therapist, or psychologist.
Amount: Varies | Approximate Due Date: March
BLACKS AT MICROSOFT (BAM) SCHOLARSHIP
The BAM Scholarship was created to enable Black students to attend college and pursue a career in technology. The goal is to empower future generations to do and be more. To be considered for a BAM Scholarship, you must Be a US-based high school senior of African descent (for example, African American, African, Ethiopian, etc.), Plan to attend a four-year college or university in the US in the fall immediately following your high school graduation, Plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or select business programs (such as finance, business administration, or marketing), Demonstrate a passion for technology. Demonstrate leadership at school or in the community.
Amount: $2,500 – $20,000 | Approximate Due Date: March
WASHINGTON AWARD FOR VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE (WAVE) SCHOLARSHIP
WAVE recognizes high-performing career and technical education (CTE) students at both the high school and college level. The minimum award is $4,500 per year for up to two years, or $9,000. The maximum award is $11,700 per year for up to two years, or $23,400. Two years means six quarters or four semesters. Eligible applicants include students graduating from high school who completed (or are in process of completing) their second course in a single career and technical education program.
Amount: $9,000 – $23,000 | Approximate Due Date: March
EDMUND F MAXWELL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
The Edmund F. Maxwell Foundation scholarship is offering high-achieving students financial aid of up to $5,000 (renewable for up to four years) who plan on attending a private college. Qualifying students will have spent at least the last two years at a high school and lived in a city west of the Cascade Mountains. Students will also have demonstrated financial need (as determined by the college that the student is planning to attend)
Amount: $5,000 | Approximate Due Date: April
ELEVATE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS SCHOLARSHIP
Despite living in the most prosperous and interconnected time in history, rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide are on the rise. In the United States, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death. The scholarship will be awarded to one high school or university student that meets the following requirements: Must have personally experienced challenges with mental health or have had people close to them who have experienced mental health challenges; Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent legal resident; All GPAs will be considered; All majors are encouraged to apply.
Amount: $500 | Approximate Due Date: April
BELLEVUE PTSA COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year, Bellevue PTSA Council offers twelve (12) $1000 scholarships to seniors representing each high school in BSD. The Alice Hurd Memorial Scholarship recognizes outstanding community service and rewards one student from each high school a $1000 scholarship. The Bellevue PTSA Council Scholarship rewards academic excellence to one graduating senior from each high school, funded by Bellevue PTSA Council. Applicants will be evaluated by the Bellevue PTSA Council Scholarship Committee consisting of representatives from each high school.
Amount: $1,000 | Approximate Due Date: May
UNIGO Shout it Out Scholarship
In 250 words of less submit an online written response to the question: “If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what would it be and why?
Amount: $1,500 | Approximate Due Date: September