Passport to Careers Scholarship

Description

Overview

Through the Passport to Careers program offered in partnership by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) and Peninsula College, foster and unaccompanied homeless youth students receive up to a $2,000/year scholarship that assists with the cost of attending college (tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, and some personal expenses), support services from college staff, and priority consideration for the WA College Grant (also known as the State Need Grant) and State Work Study programs.

Eligibility
  • Have been in Washington state, federal, or tribal foster care after age 13 (or) be verified as an unaccompanied homeless youth (or an unaccompanied youth at risk of being homeless)
  • Enroll at least half-time (6+ credits/quarter) in an eligible college, apprenticeship, or pre-apprenticeship before their 22nd birthday
  • Maintain Washington residency
  • Not pursuing a degree in theology
  • Be working toward earning their first bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or certificate, or pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
Definition of Terms
  • "Unaccompanied" means to not be in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian, and to be without their financial support.
  • "Homeless" means without fixed, permanent, and/or adequate housing. For example, living in a car or hotel/motel or tent.
  • "At risk of homelessness" means temporarily living with others because you do not have a place to call your own, and/or cannot safely live with your parent. For example, "couch surfing" or staying with friends or relatives who do not have legal guardianship of you.
Additional Funding
  1. The Passport Scholar Success Fund (PSSF), formerly known as the Barrier Removal Grant (BRG) program, is designed to help Passport Scholars address one-time expenses to support their enrollment, re-enrollment, persistence and completion. Award amounts are dependent on the scholar’s unique circumstance and need, but typically range from $50 – $1,000.
  2. The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program is a national program for youth who qualify and are likely to age out of the foster care system. ETV offers financial assistance to eligible youth to attend an accredited college, university, vocational or technical college. The maximum ETV award is $5,000 per academic year.
How to Apply
  1. Complete the Passport Consent Form and send it to:
    Washington Student Achievement Council
    Passport for Foster Youth Promise Program
    PO Box 43430
    Olympia, WA 98504-3430
    Fax: 360-704-6246
    -(OR)-
  2. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year at www.StudentAid.gov. Or, if you are not a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, you can file the WA Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) at www.wsac.wa.gov/wasfa
  3. Contact one of the Designated Support Staff listed below to provide an explanation of your circumstances. The support staff will determine your eligibility.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Designated Financial Staff- Elizabeth Griswold

Designated Support Staff- Sam Della-DeVoney

For more info on the program, email PassportToCollege@wsac.wa.gov or call 1-888-535-0747, option 3.

Application Documents