Where can I use the WAVE scholarship?

The award may be used at a Washington public or private college or university, or licensed private career school. See public and private colleges and universities where the WAVE award may be used here.

A list of eligible private career schools where the WAVE award may be used is located here.

How much does it pay? 

It varies. Award amounts are based on the total number of awards granted as funding is limited. Each WAVE award is based on the tuition charged at the college that the student attends. The 2024 award will pay as much as $6,768 per year, for up to two years, or a total of about $13,536. Remember, the amount of funding a WAVE award winner receives may be less than the full award if the institution they attend charges less in tuition and fees. The student has up to three years to begin using the award.

Who is eligible to apply?
Graduating Washington high school seniors are eligible. These high school career and technical education (CTE) students must have completed, or be in the process of completing, their second course in a single CTE pathway.

Community and technical college students are also eligible to apply. These students must attend one of Washington’s 34 public community and technical colleges and be in the process of completing at least one year of a professional-technical program.

Apprenticeship students taking related supplemental instruction (RSI) through a state community or technical college are eligible for the WAVE scholarship. State Board for Community and Technical College apprenticeship coordinators are authorized to complete and certify an apprenticeship applicant’s CTE Certification/Recommendation form.

What does WAVE funding cover?
WAVE funding includes support for tuition, fees, room and board, and other situational costs that will impact student success, such as, but not limited to, books, supplies, transportation, childcare, and expenses related to study abroad. Please note that award winners receive varying award amounts (some lower, some higher) based on available funding and the tuition baseline at the institution they attend. That funding amount, however, can be used toward a variety of expenses, as outlined above.

Where can the award be used?
Washington community and technical colleges, regional/research universities, accredited independent colleges, and licensed private vocational schools. Please see this list for approved Washington institutions. A list of eligible private career schools where the WAVE award may be used is located here.

What are the GPA requirements?
The WAVE scholarship does not have a minimum grade point average requirement to apply. However, award recipients must maintain satisfactory progress each academic year to continue qualifying for funding. The definition of satisfactory progress depends on where the student goes to school. Contact the Washington Student Achievement Council for more information.

Is WAVE a need-based scholarship?
No. The WAVE scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that focuses on high-performing high school CTE students and professional-technical students in our state’s community and technical college system. A student’s financial need is not taken into consideration for this scholarship.

Are there any other students eligible for WAVE?
Those in the process of earning a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree at a community or technical college, and who have recently completed at least one year of professional-technical education are eligible to apply. Students enrolled in I-BEST (Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training) and Continuing Education are also eligible if they have recently completed at least one year of professional-technical education.

Students that have previously earned degrees may also apply, provided they have recently completed, or are in the process of completing, at least one year of a professional-technical program.