Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

Washington high school seniors are taking their next step — and our partners are making it possible.

Completing the FAFSA/WASFA helps students understand what support is available and makes education and career pathways feel more possible and more affordable.

Across Washington, partners are working together to increase access and remove barriers — especially to students furthest from opportunity. This year, 10 schools saw a 6% increase in FAFSA completion and received grants from Microsoft to celebrate their students and their plans for what’s next.

At five schools, WSOS also raffled off laptops that saw the largest increases in both FAFSA/WASFA completion and WSOS Baccalaureate applications.

When students know what support is available, they can move forward with confidence.

Hands-on learning in action! 🦺

Opportunity Scholars recently visited HNTB for an up-close look at a live construction site.

From infrastructure design to on-the-ground ex*****on, Scholars explored how transportation projects come to life and connected with professionals shaping Washington’s future.

Huge thanks to HNTB for the warm welcome and for investing in the next generation of leaders. We’re grateful for the partnership and the insights shared!

It's been two weeks since OpportunityTalks and we're still so grateful for how everyone showed up. The event was such a good time, great connections were made all around, and we raised money to provide access to high-demand, living-wage careers for our state's talented students.

View all of the photos from the event by our amazing photographer, Tara Brown, on our website here: bit.ly/WSOS_Otalks

And a huge thank you to all of our Cornerstone Partners: Microsoft, Boeing in Washington, Ballmer Group, Rubens Family Foundation, the State of Washington.

We’re grateful to Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) for their continued partnership and for sponsoring OpportunityTalks.

With their support, Opportunity Scholars are getting closer to real-world STEM pathways. From engaging in conversations at OpportunityTalks to participating in site tours, mentorship, and career development experiences, students are able to see what’s possible and start mapping their own path.

We appreciate BMS’s ongoing commitment to expanding access and helping the next generation of scientists move forward with confidence.

For many students, the path to the skilled trades or STEM fields starts with access.

The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship helps students pursue education in high-demand fields through scholarships and career pathways.

Through our Building Futures initiative, McKinstry is helping support students beginning their journeys into the built environment.

Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle High School is grateful for its partnership with the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship and the chance to connect with leaders like Isabel Muñoz-Colón, Executive Director of WSOS. Together, we are focused on expanding access to higher education and supporting students on the path to college and career.

OpportunityTalks is almost here!

We’re excited to gather our community at OpportunityTalks — a space to share ideas, elevate student voices, and strengthen pathways to postsecondary success for Opportunity Scholars.

This event is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors, whose partnership fuels meaningful conversations and real opportunities for students across Washington. We are deeply grateful for their continued commitment to educational equity and student success.

Many thanks to our Cornerstone Partners and OpportunityTalks sponsors:

💎 Cornerstone Partners: Microsoft, Boeing, Ballmer Group, Rubens Family Foundation, and the State of Washington

📣 Leadership Partner: Bristol Myers Squibb

🏆 Achievement Partners: BECU, Boeing, Parametrix

🌠 Inspiration Partners: Delta Dental of Washington, KBA, Inc., Puget Sound Energy

💡 Initiative Partners: Kaiser Permanente Washington, Vertex

🚀 Incentive Partners: MultiCare, HNTB, Seattle Children's, TalentBloom

📖 Education Partners: College Success Foundation, University of Washinton, University of Washington Bothell, and University of Washington Tacoma

Thank you for standing with Opportunity Scholars and for helping make OpportunityTalks possible!

We love seeing Washington students recognized for their commitment to STEM!

In partnership with The Boeing Company, the Seattle Seahawks, and Partnership for Learning, Washington State STEM Signing Day 2026 celebrates high school seniors taking the next step toward futures in science, technology, engineering, and math — and applications are open now through May 1.

If this sounds like you (or a student you know), we encourage you to learn more and apply.

https://www.partnership4learning.org/stemsigningday/

We’re excited to welcome Kurtenbach to WSOS's Board of Directors!

Heather is the Executive Secretary of the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council , with nearly two decades of experience in the construction trades. From her start as an ironworker to statewide workforce leadership, her work advances apprenticeship access, equity, safe job sites, and family‑wage careers.

Those priorities closely align with WSOS’s mission to expand pathways to high‑demand, living‑wage careers for students furthest from opportunity. We are honored to have Heather’s lived experience and leadership guiding our work as we invest in Washington’s future workforce.

Read more about Heather on our blog: bit.ly/HeatherKurtenbach_WSOSboard

Current Career & Technical Scholars: Don't lose your WSOS funding. Renew your scholarship for the 2026-27 academic year by May 13!

It takes just 5-10 minutes to complete the Renewal Form in the Scholar Portal. Find the Scholar Portal link below and renew today!

bit.ly/CurrentScholarPortal