Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Washington State

BaS is one of three pathways to high-demand careers in Washington State offered by WSOS. This program provides up to $22,500 in scholarship dollars and access to career-launching support services for high-demand STEM and healthcare majors. WSOS can cover costs beyond tuition, such as housing, transportation, food, and more. Funding can be used for any eligible STEM or health care major at any eligible public or private college or university in Washington state.

Do you want to get a bachelor’s degree in a field like computer science, nursing, engineering, or another STEM or healthcare field? Do you want to get an associate degree before studying to get a bachelor’s degree? Continue reading; BAS is right for you!

Application deadlines

The 2025-26 BAS application opens in January 2025! More information will be added closer to 2025.

• Application Opens January 8, 2025
• Application Deadline February 26, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. PST
• FAFSA/WASFA Filing Deadline* February 26, 2025
• Selection Notification April 18, 2025
• Acceptance Deadline May 7, 2025, at 9:00 p.m.

Eligibility Requirements

Residency:

• You must be a Washington resident. In most cases, a Washington resident lives in the state for one year immediately before starting college or a program. WSOS accepts undocumented applicants.
  • Learn more about WSOS residency requirements.  
  • Questions? Email info@waopportunityscholarship.org.

Financial need:

• Meet the following income limitations: Have a family income that does not exceed 125% of Washington state median family income.
  • When viewing the family income limits, applicants should use the income reported on their family tax returns and the FAFSA/WASFA.
  • Dependent students will report their total family income reported by their parent(s)/guardian(s), while independent students will report their own total family income.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
  • We recommend completing your FAFSA or WASFA as early as possible to account for processing delays.
  • Read more about the FAFSA/WASFA completion tips and processing timelines.  

Education plan:

• Plan to enroll in an eligible STEM or health care major at an eligible Washington state college or university.
• Plan to enroll in at least three credits every fall, winter, and spring terms.

Previous education:

• Have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree.
• Have earned or will earn a high school credential in Washington state by June of the year that you apply.
• By the application deadline, you must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale), demonstrated on either a current high school or college transcript, OR a passing GED score (45 on the 1988 series, 450 on the 2002 series, or 145 on the 2014 series).
• If you have been in college since graduating high school and earned more than 90 quarter or 60 semester credits by the application deadline, you are not eligible to apply.
  • If you earned college credits from the Running Start program or other dual-credited high school programs, they do not count toward your eligibility. You can still apply even if you have more than 90-quarter or 60-semester credits from a running start.  

How do I apply?

Once you’ve confirmed you’re eligible based on the criteria above:

1. Complete the scholarship application.
2. Complete the FAFSA or WASFA
   • We recommend completing your FAFSA or WASFA as early as possible to account for processing delays.
3. Apply for Federal Education Tax Credits, if eligible.

Application Process

In addition to completing our application, you must also:

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) by the Baccalaureate Scholarship application deadline.
• Apply for Federal Education Tax Credits if eligible.