NCW students encouraged to apply for 2018 Washington State opportunity Scholarships

Wenatchee -- Applications are now being accepted for the 2018 Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS). Students must have earned a high school diploma or GED from a Washington State high school or institution by June 2018, and must be pursuing an eligible, high-demand major in science, technology, engineering, math, or health care at an eligible Washington state college or university starting in fall of 2018.
WSOS awards students up to $22,500 over their college careers with additional skill-building and professional development support - all part of an unprecedented commitment by state government and private-sector employers to increase the number of homegrown graduates prepared for the jobs key to our economy.
Last year, Apple STEM Network partnered with WSOS to promote the program and increase the number of local applicants. As a result, 51 of the total 1,850 scholarships granted were to students from the Cashmere, East Wenatchee, Quincy, and Wenatchee areas. These local students were eligible to receive up to a collective total of $1,135,000 in scholarships throughout their time in college.
WSOS was created in 2011 to address both rising tuition costs and a lack of local STEM talent prepared for industry demands. Per the legislation that governs the program, the State matches private dollars raised by WSOS, including founding partners Microsoft and Boeing.
More than 8,600 students have received support from WSOS and more than 2,200 have graduated since the program began. More than 68% of students awarded are first-generation students, 65% are students of color, and 56% are women.
For more information visit waopportunityscholarship.org
Through shared vision and enthusiasm, the Apple STEM Network will clear a pathway and secure resources for students to build STEM fluency, thereby opening the door to new opportunities and careers in our valley and stimulating the economic development of the greater Wenatchee area.
The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship was created by the Washington State Legislature in 2011 to help local students from low- and middle-income families earn high-demand degrees and launch their careers in Washington.