Financial Aid

It is HIGHLY recommended that all RC Scholar students complete the FAFSA or WASFA application for each year they are enrolled at UW. Traditionally, these applications open on or around October 1st and are due on or around February 28th. A new application must be submitted for EACH ACADEMIC YEAR. Students cannot be considered for financial aid, including student loans, unless a financial aid application is received by the Office of Student Financial Aid. For more information about financial aid or to obtain assistance with your financial aid application: 

•  UW’s Office of Student Financial Aid 

• StudentAid.gov for FAFSA information

• Washington Student Achievement Counsel’s for WASFA information. 

You are also welcome to make an appointment with the Associate Director if you have questions or concerns about financial aid. 

Financial Aid Education

Understanding Changes to Federal Student Loans Webinar | Washington Student Achievement Council

SLA: Assisting student loan borrowers in Washington

The Student Loan Advocate collaborates with other state agencies to support current and future student loan borrowers in Washington State by:

• Addressing student borrowers' questions and complaints.

• Providing borrowers information and resources about student loans.

• Educating the public about the rights and responsibilities of student loan borrowers.

First Year Students

All first year UW Academy students are considered for two scholarship opportunities: 

• The Mary Gates Endowment for Students: One $12,000 award divided and dispersed quarterly for two years. The scholarship recipient is chosen by the RC Scholars team based on UW Academy application scores. The Mary Gates Endowment prefers to provide the award to students who may have not had access to opportunities in the past. This is an academic award, but recognizes service and leadership as well. There are no financial need requirements for this award or other limitations on general eligibility. 

• The Halbert and Nancy Robinson Endowment Scholarship: $8,000 are available for RC Scholars staff to assist students with remaining financial need. Awards vary by year, but students must submit a financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA to be considered). 

Second Year and Onward 

The RC Scholars program hosts two scholarships for students after they complete their first year at UW. 

• LePore Scholarship: This is an annual scholarship given to UW Academy students who exhibit outstanding intellectual curiosity, academic achievement, and sustained engagement with the UW community. Two awards of $500 each will be given and are used toward students' educational expenses. The application will open in the spring and awards will be applied to the Fall tuition bill. 

• Paradise Scholarship: Each spring, the application for the Paradise Scholarship opens (watch the newsletter for this date). The scholarship is open to any Robinson Center EEP or UW Academy student who will be enrolled at the UW the following Fall quarter as an undergraduate student. Four students will be awarded $4,500 which will be applied to their fall tuition bill. Students may win this award a maximum of two times. Students are evaluated based on their academic achievement, service to others, and their sense of purpose behind their university career. 

The University of Washington will automatically consider you for scholarship opportunities if you submit a financial aid application: 

• Academic Scholarships from the UW Office of Student Financial Aid are awarded to a limited number of undergraduate students who are legal residents of Washington state. Approximately 600 awards from privately donated funds are given each year to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and financial need. The funds come from private gifts to the university by individuals, groups or companies and are typically renewable for a second year.

• UW Undergraduate Academic Excellence Awards are awarded to approximately 100 incoming first-year students who are residents of Washington State. These awards are a partial tuition waiver, based on academic merit and financial need and may be renewed for a second year.

No advance application is required for these awards except for the FAFSA which must be filed by February 28. If you are considered for a scholarship, we may request additional information. If you are selected for an OSFA scholarship, it will be part of your financial aid offer as a University Scholarship-Seattle. The typical scholarship is $4,000 per year for two years.

Office of Merit Scholarships and Awards

This office works with students who are currently enrolled at the University of Washington. Limited information is available for prospective incoming students. If you are planning to attend the UW, go to http://expd.uw.edu/scholarships/ for more information on these future resources.

Additional Scholarships and Resources

The University also offers scholarship programs awarded through the UW Honors Program, Washington NASA Space Grant and many academic departments for freshmen (including non-resident students). Some of these scholarships are not need-based and do not require filing the FAFSA. Please note that the UW Honors Program and the Washington NASA Space Grant Program also require an application to be admitted into the program. Please visit the following web sites for more information. If your academic department is not listed, please check with that department directly for scholarship information.

Business School

College of Engineering

College of the Environment

UW Honors Program

Washington NASA Space Grant

Costco Scholar Award Program

ROTC Air Force

ROTC Army

ROTC Navy

UW Scholarships Available to Employees and Their Families

RC Scholars are welcome to search for scholarships that are hosted outside of the University. Here are some places to start: 

• Seattle Foundation

• Fastweb

• Scholarships.com

• Going Merry

• American Indian College Fund

It is recommended to always be searching for these opportunities to have the best chance of earning one as applicants are not limited to the UW. 

Other Useful Sources for Non-UW Scholarships

• Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

• Leadership 1000 Scholarship

• Washington College Success Foundation

• Gates Millennium Scholars

• theWashBoard.org

More Links for Finding Financial Assistance and Advice

• Scholarship Junkies

• Washington Student Achievement Council

• Tax Credits and Breaks for Parents and College Students

• College Cost Calculators

• Prepaid Tuition for Washington State parents (GET Program)

• University Tuition Waivers and Exemptions

• College Resource Network