What's the most you've ever been paid for an hour of work? Get into the habit of applying for a scholarship a week or month and the payoff could be huge! College can be expensive but scholarships are a viable way to offset those costs.
Scholarships by Deadline
Scholarships marked with ** are for students in their junior year.
Architects Foundation (Varying dates): The Architects Foundation invests in the next generation design community through a number of scholarship and grant opportunities. Every year the foundation awards thousands of dollars in architecture scholarships and professional development grants to high school and undergraduate students.
The Gates Scholarship (Sept. 15): A highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential.
Dave Henderson Scholarship (Sept. 15): $5000 award for Washington State residents.
Questbridge National College Match application (Sept. 26): Apply for free to the nation’s best colleges and be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship. The National College Match application gives you extra space to tell your unique story as a student who has excelled academically despite financial hardship.
Builders Association Scholarship (Oct. 31): $3000 scholarships for outstanding individuals preparing for a career in construction.
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship (Nov. 12): You do not need to be related to an Elk member to apply. Applicants will be judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship. (Nov. 14): The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities. Deadline is mid-November of your senior year; awards up to $55,000/year for four years.
Equitable Excellence Scholarship (Dec. 18): 100-$5000 renewable awards and 100-$2500 one time awards. The Equitable Excellence Scholarship program supports students from across the country who strive to be a force for good in their communities.
Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship (Jan. 08): 100 awards for students (ages 16-26) who are passionate about creating a better future and making a positive impact on their community. This is not needs or achievement-based; it is a passion-based scholarship program.
Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Program (Jan. 15): Scholarship awards range from one-time $2,500 awards to multi-year $5,000 awards. (due 1/15 but recommender due 1/12).
Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship (Jan. 15): 39 - $5000 awards for seniors interested in public service.
Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) Scholarships (Jan. 31): Awards multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of higher education in diverse areas (history, economics, law, political science, medicine, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, elementary and secondary education, chemistry, math, science and English). $20,000+
Washington Opportunity Scholarship (Feb. 26): Up to $22,500 in financial aid support and access to career-launching support services for students pursuing high-demand STEM and healthcare majors. This scholarship can cover tuition, fees and other indirect costs of attendance such as housing, transportation, food and more. Funding can be used for any eligible STEM or health care degree at any eligible public or private college or university in Washington state.
Elks Foundation National Legacy Award (Feb. 3): Legacy Awards are $4,000 scholarships available to children and grandchildren of living Elks members.
McDonald's HACER National Scholarship Program (Feb. 6): Awarded to 30 outstanding Hispanic students from all over the country, funds are aimed to help recipients finance their college tuition. There are three tiers: Tier 1 recipients will be awarded up to $100,000. Tier 2 recipients will receive $20,000 or $10,000. Tier 3 recipients will receive $5,000. Recipients are selected based on their academic achievement, community involvement, personal statement and financial need.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (Feb. 15): HSF has awarded over $708 million in scholarships; HSF Scholars have access to valuable Scholar Support Services and, as funding permits, scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000.
Farm Kids for College Scholarship (Feb. 15): three awards for high school students planning to earn an agricultural degree from an accredited college or university. Three winners will receive either $2,500, $1,500, or $1,000 toward their freshman year in college.
Military Benefits Association Scholarship (Feb. 27): 20 awards of up to $2000 to assist members' dependent children and spouses, along with National Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans who are members and who plan to continue education in college or vocational school programs. Scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at any accredited institution of the student's choice.
Horatio Alger Scholarships (Mar. 1): Awards $2,500-$10,000 for students who have exhibited determination, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as have critical financial need.
Skagit Valley College (Mar. 5): The foundation awards up to $900,000 for over 350 students attending SVC.
Ewing C. Kelly Scholarship (Mar. 7): This $2,500 award is designed to reward Washington students who demonstrate good citizenship while striving to attain their academic goals.
NPC Centennial Scholarship. (Mar. 9): Ten $2,000 awards for women graduating this year who are college bound and are interested in joining a sorority.
Connex Foundation Scholarship (Mar. 10): Scholarships up to $5,000 each to individuals pursuing a career in the skilled trades.
WIAA Smart Choices Scholarships (Mar. 14): Recognizing graduating seniors from WIAA member high schools for excellence in athletics/activities, academics, leadership and community service throughout their high school careers by awarding three (3) $5,000 scholarships and 12 $1,000 scholarships.
Pacific NW Assoc. for College Admission Counseling (Mar. 15): Annually awards ten or more $1,500 one-time scholarships to students planning to attend a regionally accredited college or university.
Sub Pop Loser Scholarship (Mar. 18): Awards 3 $6,000 scholarships for WA & OR students interested in music and/or creative media and arts in some way.
Washington Award for Vocational Excellence WAVE: (suspended for 2025-26) WAVE is a merit scholarship that honors the achievements of Washington’s top career and technical education students. It celebrates the value of real-world, hands-on learning in Washington.
Questbridge College Prep Scholars Program (Mar. 20)**: This program equips high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to apply to top colleges.
Washington Water Service Scholarship (Mar. 27): For students who live in the Washington Water Service area (Rosario, Woodlands)
Whatcom Community College Foundation Scholarship (Apr. 1): More than 250 scholarship opportunities for students attending WCC.
Renton Community Foundation (Apr. 8): Several scholarships for Washington State residents.
Accountants of Tomorrow Merit Scholarship (Apr. 25): Two $1,000 scholarships to a Skagit, Island, or San Juan County high school senior who plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Orcas Island Local Scholarship Book: Scholarships for Orcas Island residents. A new book is released every year, but you can always look at the previous year's to begin preparing in advance to apply.
Bryan Cameron Education Foundation (May 1)**: Four-year, full-tuition, impact-driven undergraduate scholarship awarded annually to 15 exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, community service, extracurricular activities, and academics.
Society of Women Engineers Scholarship (May 1): Many awards for female High School seniors who plan to study an accredited engineering program in college.
Maxwell Scholarship (May 9): To assist high school seniors from Western Washington in obtaining a higher education. Up to $5,000 per year or less based on financial need. This award has the potential to be renewed for up to an additional three years of undergraduate education based on financial need and reasonable progress toward graduation.
Horatio Alger Career & Technical Scholarship (June 15): Over 500 awards of up to $2,500 for students enrolled in an associate’s degree, certificate, or diploma program by September that will lead to employment.
Scholarships.com: A major platform matching students with awards based on a created profile, offering filters for deadline and amount.
TheWashboard.org: A specialized, free, spam-free, and curated site for Washington state residents.
Bold.org: Features a large selection of exclusive scholarships and grants, often focused on specific, quickly created awards.
CollegeBoardBigFuture.org: Provides access to a database of over 24,000,000 programs, totaling over $1.5 billion yearly.
Niche.com: Offers many "no-essay" scholarships and matches for various student profiles.