Foundation Scholarship 2021-2022: How to apply and resources

The Seattle Colleges Foundation Scholarship for Fall 2021 – Spring 2022 is now open for applications. There are tons of scholarship opportunities for current students, new students, international students, incoming students, and students transferring out to a 4-year university, who submit an online application by Apr 15. Awards range from $1,000 – $5,000.

If this is your first time learning about the scholarship, here’s all you need to know, resources you need, and steps to take. If you’re familiar with it and want to apply for it this year, take what’s new for you and keep grinding on your essays. 

What is this scholarship?

The Seattle Colleges Foundation (SCF) has a primary goal of removing students’ financial barriers by providing annual financial support to cover tuition, fees, books, and related educational expenses through an application process. The awards will be granted based on financial need, merit, personal background, achievement, and programs. Once applicants submit the application, they will be automatically applied for the majority of the foundation’s available scholarships. 

Who is eligible? 

You’re eligible if you are… 

• A current student or incoming student, international student, Running Start student who will be graduating from high school this year, Dreamer, or a current student transferring out to a 4-year university.
• Have a GPA of 2.00 or higher
• Plan to enroll in one of the three Seattle Colleges (North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, or South Seattle College) for a minimum of 9 credits per quarter to receive a full scholarship, otherwise it will be granted based on this chart (Look at question: “Do I have to be a full-time student?”)
• Able to provide your unofficial transcript. 
• Able to complete all three essays and submit the application on time.

When is the deadline?

• The scholarship opened for applications on Feb 15 and closes on April 15 at 11.59 pm.
• Check out this link for other important dates

How to apply?

Apply here: https://seattlecolleges.academicworks.com/ Note: Avoid using Internet Explorer as your browser due to its incompatibility. Besides all the required and  optional documents, you have two main missions to complete for the whole application process:

• Write three essays: 
  • 300-word personal statement (your background and personal experience) 
  • 400-word purpose statement (your efforts made towards your academic goals) 
  • 300-word statement of financial need (your financial situation and how receiving the scholarship will add value to your life)
• Seek two references:
  • Make sure they are someone who can give you a positive recommendation.
  • One of them should be a Seattle College staff or faculty member such as a professor or advisor; the other can be an employer or community leader, but cannot be a family member or friend.

Where to learn more or ask questions?

• General scholarship information on the foundation website 
• Check out the FAQ page on the foundation website. 
• Scholarship PDF flyer.
• Essays
  • Tips about writing statements: watch this 4.30-minute video.
  • Have your statements proofed by the Writing Center and E-Tutoring: 

• Writing Center/Student Learning Center: North, Central and South.  
• E-Tutoring: North, Central and South.  

• References: Tips on how to get references: watch this 4-minute video, or read this article.
• For more questions, email scholarships@seattlecolleges.edu. 

Why shouldn’t you miss this opportunity?

• There is more than a 50% award rate. Your chance of scholarship acceptance is quite high.
• You are automatically applied for other Foundation scholarships once you submit the main Seattle Colleges Foundation Scholarship Application, which is quite a generous opportunity.
• You can make the most of your own funding by applying for other financial aid such as FAFSA and WASFA.

Overwhelmed with so much information? Follow these steps:

1. Go to the foundation website to skim through the general information.
2. Go to the scholarship application platform to register, understand the requirements in more detail, and start filling it out. 
3. Complete the application form as much as you can, save the more difficult parts (essays) for later.
4. Reach out to your references for contact as early as possible, making sure they have your back.
5. Complete all three essays. Ask for help from the resources mentioned above or from people you know. Meanwhile keep an eye on important dates and deadlines.
6. Make sure to complete every requirement and then submit the application by April 15.
7. If you don’t get a notice that your references complete their part when it’s near April 21(due date for references), contact them or change if necessary.
8. The awardees will be announced between May 26 – June 15. While you wait, check out other available opportunities on the application platform. 

There’s about a month and a half left before the scholarship is due. Save this article for future use and share it with your friends. And again, if you have any questions, contact scholarships@seattlecolleges.edu.