Scholarships in the Pacific Northwest can help Cascadia natives climb to their higher education goals without mountains of debt.
Positioned in the United States’ top-left corner along the Canadian province of British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest primarily includes Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and western Montana. Although it’s largest metropolitan of Seattle has 3.7 million people, the Pacific Northwest is heavily forested with rural communities scattered around the rugged Cascade Range. College students are often attracted by the PNW’s outdoor recreation in beautiful landmarks like Olympic National Park.
The Pacific Northwest has bred great post-graduate economic opportunity with Fortune 500 companies, such as Micron Technology, Nike, Amazon, and Costco. Plus, these Pacific Northwest scholarships allow you to get the best bang for your buck.
1. AIST Northwest Chapter Scholarship
Deadline: April 30th
The Northwest Chapter of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) provides a one-time $3,000 scholarship to support the college-bound children, grandchildren, spouses, and nieces/nephews of member steelworkers in good standing. It’s intended to fund full-time college education at accredited two or four-year schools in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska. Before April 30th, interested candidates must submit a resume, transcript, non-family letter of recommendation, and one-page goals essay.
Contact
AIST Northwest Chapter Scholarship
2424 SW Andover St.
Seattle, WA 98106
(206) 933-2222
patrick.jablonski@nucor.com
2. Amy Wilkerson Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: August 26th
The Professional Convention Management Association delivers the $2,300 Amy Wilkerson Memorial Scholarship through its Pacific Northwest Chapter for students with 12+ months of active membership. Eligible students must enroll full-time in a hospitality-related program, carry a minimum 3.5 GPA, have relevant event planning experience, and write an article for the quarterly newsletter. Scholarship funding also includes airfare and lodging for the PCMA Education Conference.
Contact
Amy Wilkerson Memorial Scholarship
206 10th Avenue SE
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 753-1886
pacificnorthwest@pcma.org
3. BBB Students of Integrity Scholarship
Deadline: February 13th
Valued at $10,000, the Better Business Bureau Foundation’s Students of Integrity Scholarship is available for Pacific Northwest residents of Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and western Wyoming. High schoolers in 11th and 12th grade can enter by filming a 90-second YouTube video portraying how the BBB helps consumers avoid scams. Entrants must plan to attend college in the next two years, maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA, and exemplify integrity through community involvement.
Contact
BBB Students of Integrity Scholarship
1000 Station Drive Suite 222
DuPont, WA 98327
(253) 830-2924
bbbfoundation@thebbb.org
4. Cynthia Driscoll Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 24th
To honor the late Pacific Northwest Section’s chair, the Cynthia Driscoll Memorial Scholarship was established by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) for $2,500. Suitable applicants are college students at the sophomore level or higher who are attending accredited colleges in Oregon, Washington, or Idaho with a minimum 3.0 GPA to enter the drinking water industry. Accepted majors include hydrology, water resources management, engineering, public administration, and environmental health.
Contact
Cynthia Driscoll Memorial Scholarship
P.O. Box 872467
Vancouver, WA 98687
(503) 760-6460
deleland53@gmail.com
5. Deloris Carter Hampton Scholarship
Deadline: January 13th
The Pride Foundation confers 50+ scholarships in the Pacific Northwest for $1,000 to $12,000 to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) and straight allied students. For example, the Deloris Carter Hampton Scholarship provides $3,500 on average to minority women from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington who are activist leaders in the LGBTQ community. Preference is given to full-time college undergraduates earning degrees in education, women’s studies, public health, or dance.
Contact
Deloris Carter Hampton Scholarship
2014 E. Madison Street Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98122
(800) 735-7287
scholarships@pridefoundation.org
6. Glenn Lovett College Scholarship
Deadline: March 23rd
Named in memory of the long-time Secretary-Treasurer, the Glenn Lovett College Scholarship presents $1,500 for four males and four females from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Pacific Northwest Chapter. Graduating high school seniors living in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho above the 45th parallel who’ve played varsity tennis may apply. The application requires official transcripts, proof of college admission, ACT/SAT scores, the Student Aid Report, and a one-page essay on good sportsmanship.
Contact
Glenn Lovett College Scholarship
4840 SW Western Avenue Suite 300
Beaverton, OR 97005
(503) 520-1877
tcorvino@pnw.usta.com
7. Gold Grant Scholarship Award
Deadline: February 26th
Since 1990, the Northwest Watercolor Society (NWS) has gifted the Gold Grant Scholarship Award for $2,000 to encourage incoming freshmen and current college students in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho to pursue undergraduate art majors full-time. Blossoming artists must work with two-dimensional visual media, such as painting, drawing, printmaking, and photography. Candidates are judged based on five images of their best work and a 200-word personal essay about what being an artist means.
Contact
Gold Grant Scholarship Award
P.O. Box 50387
Bellevue, WA 98015
(425) 644-4245
annbreckon@gmail.com
8. Henry Joseph Streuli Scholarship
Deadline: January 31st
Cancer for College established the Henry Joseph Streuli Scholarship in 2015 to memorialize the enthusiastic 14-year-old boy who lost a brave battle with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. Ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 based on financial need, the scholarship helps cancer survivors who reside in or attend college in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Pacific Northwesterners must submit a tax return, physician confirmation of diagnosis, two years of transcripts, and two character references.
Contact
Henry Joseph Streuli Scholarship
981 Park Center Drive
Vista, CA 92081
(760) 599-5096
abby@cancerforcollege.org
9. Karl Fagan Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) manages the Karl Fagan Memorial Scholarship to award $1,000 each year to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia youth who will be tomorrow’s aerospace workforce. Selected scholars must attend accredited two- or four-year colleges for study in aeronautics, aerospace design, aviation management, aircraft maintenance, or related engineering disciplines. There are 10 participating schools, including the University of Washington and Renton Technical College.
Contact
Karl Fagan Memorial Scholarship
16625 Redmond Way Suite M
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 885-0209 ext. 105
scholarships@pnaa.net
10. Kermit E. Gastfield Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 31st
Kermit E. Gastfield, the first President of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers’ (SFPE) Pacific Northwest Chapter, is remembered with a $2,000 scholarship each year. Funding is designed for legal residents of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho who are registered full-time for ABET-accredited bachelor’s or graduate study in engineering to pursue careers in fire protection and safety. The merit-based scholarship requires submitting a letter of introduction, proof of residence, recent transcripts, and one recommendation.
Contact
Kermit E. Gastfield Memorial Scholarship
1191 2nd Avenue Suite 900
Seattle, WA 98101
(425) 507-4402
sfpepnw@gmail.com
11. Lori Rhett Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: September 30th
Although the Pacific Northwest Region Chapter of the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) has disbanded, the Lori Rhett Memorial Scholarship continues to distribute $1,000. United States citizens who call Alaska, Washington, Oregon, or Idaho home can apply. Eligible applicants must be matriculated full-time in college, sustain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, make significant contributions to their campus, and display outstanding leadership skills.
Contact
Lori Rhett Memorial Scholarship
13 Harbison Way
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 732-6222
kaylab@naca.org
12. Lydia Pickup Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: December 31st
Worth $1,000, the Lydia Pickup Memorial Scholarship is bestowed by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Pacific Northwest Chapter to females earning ABET-accredited bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Women must register full-time with 12+ credits at Seattle University, the University of Washington, St. Martin’s College, Montana State University, or Montana Tech. Eligibility criteria also mandates having unmet financial need, attaining at least sophomore status, achieving a 3.0 GPA or better, and displaying technical promise.
Contact
Lydia Pickup Memorial Scholarship
P.O. Box 1601
Bellevue, WA 98009
(888) 772-4422
swepnwscholarship@gmail.com
13. Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 29th
Gifting $7,500 annually for up to five years, the Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship was initiated by the Alaska Community Foundation to remember the Executive Director of the Murdock Charitable Trust. The renewable fund selects Alaskan residents, preferably Alaskan Natives, who are graduating from high school and attending eligible Pacific Northwest colleges, including Multnomah University and Pacific Lutheran University. Priority is given to first-generation college students pursuing baccalaureate study.
Contact
Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship
3201 C Street Site 110
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 334-6700
grants@alaskacf.org
14. Northwest Fisheries Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 1st
The Northwest Fishers Association hosts an annual scholarship program to gift $5,000 to full-time and $2,500 to part-time students who are employees or legal dependents of workers at NWFA-member companies. Interested scholars under age 24 must need financial assistance to pursue accredited post-secondary education in the Pacific Northwest. Judges will review each candidate’s two-page application, letter of recommendation, current transcript, and 300-word essay outlining career goals and motivations.
Contact
Northwest Fisheries Scholarship Program
6523 California Avenue SW Suite 314
Seattle, WA 98136
(206) 789-6197
info@northwestfisheries.org
15. Northwest Golf Media Association Scholarship
Deadline: April 30th
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia residents could qualify for the Northwest Golf Media Association (NWGMA) Scholarship to earn $2,500 for school-related costs. This program helps college undergraduates entering their senior year who are majoring in sports journalism, communications, broadcasting, or sports media to promote their passion for golf. Along with a cover letter and three references, applicants must submit their sports communication samples, such as published articles and press releases.
Contact
Northwest Golf Media Association Scholarship
2540 NE 92nd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 890-5339
info@nwgma.org
16. Roy F. Jones Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 1st
The Oregon Archaeological Society (OAS) funds the Roy F. Jones Memorial Scholarship for $1,500 annually to support upper-division and graduate students in the Pacific Northwest who are undertaking archaeological or anthropological projects to study the region’s rich history. Eligible candidates must submit a brief biographical sketch, chair recommendation form, detailed project proposal, estimated budget, and timeline. Recipients of these scholarships in Oregon will also be featured in the OAS monthly newsletter, Screenings.
Contact
Roy F. Jones Memorial Scholarship
P.O. Box 13293
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 367-0193
tmdolan01@gmail.com
17. Shirley Carpenter Endowment Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
The Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation (NWOSTEO) administers seven annual funds for $2,500 to $10,000, including the Shirley Carpenter Endowment Scholarship. Each March, this award is given to Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington students who are attending any accredited U.S. medical school for a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Scholars must agree to practice in the Pacific Northwest region after graduation as licensed physicians.
Contact
Shirley Carpenter Endowment Scholarship
5331 SW Macadam Avenue Suite 258
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 222-7161
tate@nwosteo.org
18. Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship
Deadline: December 31st
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Education Northwest is presenting the Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship for $5,000 per year to Alaska Native, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander members of federally recognized tribes. Funding will reduce tuition for full-time or part-time master’s programs in education policy, leadership, technology, or research at accredited Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington universities to strength tribal communities.
Contact
Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship
101 SW Main Street Suite 500
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 275-9500
NelsonScholarship@educationnorthwest.org
19. Truman D. Picard Scholarship Fund
Deadline: January 18th
Administered by the Intertribal Timber Council, the Truman D. Picard Scholarship Fund fosters $2,000 for high school seniors and $2,500 for current college students of Native American heritage. Qualified candidates must be admitted full-time at accredited Pacific Northwest colleges, major in natural resources or environmental conservation, present a Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB), and mail three recommendation letters. There’s also the Dick French Memorial Scholarship and BIA Pathways Program.
Contact
Truman D. Picard Scholarship Fund
1112 NE 21st Avenue Suite 4
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 282-4296
itc1@teleport.com
20. UNCF Pacific Northwest Scholarship
Deadline: March 21st
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) bestows its Pacific Northwest Scholarship for up to $5,000 to excelling Oregon and Washington college undergraduates of African American ethnicity. Interested applicants must attend UNCF-affiliated historically Black colleges, be U.S. citizens or resident aliens, possess a cumulative GPA above 2.5 in any major, and write a maximum 1,000-word essay describing their college education endeavors.
Contact
UNCF Pacific Northwest Scholarship
701 Fifth Avenue Suite 3500
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 292-8859
pia.holland@uncf.org
There are more than 160 colleges available in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you pick a Christian school like Oregon’s George Fox University, research institution like Washington’s Gonzaga University, or liberal arts college like Idaho’s Northwest Nazarene University, rising tuition can cause headaches. Luckily, scholarships in Oregon and the PNW region are available to reduce college’s monetary burden. Scholarships, grants, and fellowships are preferable resources to limit the amount of loan debt awaiting after your diploma. These 20 scholarships in the Pacific Northwest are the perfect starting point for lowering your tuition bills.
GCD Staff
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