Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship provides scholarship dollars, mentorship and professional development to students interested in pursuing fields like science, technology, engineering and health care.

It is funded by the state of Washington and industry partners like Microsoft and Boeing, that are committed to building a diverse workforce made of students from around the state. The scholarship program provides up to $22,500 in financial aid, plus mentorship, career opportunities, professional development and networking. Students must be interested in studying a high-demand STEM field and pursuing a bachelor degree at a college or university in Washington state.

The program is recruiting its eighth cohort of scholars. As of now, applicant numbers are a little low in Grays Harbor County.

• 100% of our Scholars are low- or middle-income.
• Scholars are 60% women, 73% students of color, 72% first-generation college students
• Nearly all WSOS graduates — 94% — are employed or in grad school
• 81% of them still live in WA and are helping meet growing industry demand
• 77% currently work in STEM or health care.

Scholars enter our program with an average family income around $42,000. By the time our Scholars enter the workforce their individual salary is an average of $62,000 — which is helping families break the cycle of generational poverty.

Learn more about WSOS, scholarship and eligibility at tinyurl.com/WSOS-Scholarship.

Applications are due Feb. 28.

Kelsey Foundation

If you are a senior graduating this spring from a Grays Harbor County high school, consider applying for a Forest C. and Ruth V. Kelsey Foundation scholarship. There are a limited number of scholarships available. Applications will be available beginning March 1 at each high school counselor’s office or at Price and Price Realty, 120 W. Pioneer Ave., Montesano.

Applications are due back at the foundation office (120 W. Pioneer Ave., Suite 2, Montesano) no later than 5 p.m. March 29.

For more information, email kelsey@reachone.com or call 360-249-6878.

Returning college students or adults entering or returning to college can apply beginning April 1. Those applications are due back by April 30.