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Scholarships
AIANTA Tourism and Hospitality Scholarship
At the American Indigenous Tourism Association, education is the very heartbeat of our work. That includes developing a sustainable hospitality industry by helping educate future tourism leaders. We strongly encourage Indigenous students to sustain and strengthen their cultural legacy, while also building their careers in the tourism industry.
We are proud to offer the Tourism & Hospitality Scholarship, which provides U.S. Indigenous students with financial assistance towards a degree or certificate in hospitality, tourism, recreation, culinary arts or related fields.
Each year, we award five individuals who have met all scholarship application criteria.
Award Amount: Students are awarded $1,000 per semester (fall and spring semester only). Each student can earn a maximum award of $2,000 per academic school year.
Deadline to Apply: Friday, April 24, 2026.
Scholarship Awards: Checks are made payable to the college/university and distributed/mailed to the financial aid/cashiers department of the institution the student attends. TO Payment will be made by ACH to the University/College the first week in August. Award will be deposited into your student account.
AKI KUROSE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: 11:59 PM PST on March 2, 2026
Amount: $3,000
Aki Kurose embodied the principles of the JACL vision. After her death, the Seattle JACL established a scholarship in her name to enable students to continue their higher education, which would enable them to give back to the community with the commitment shared by Aki Kurose and the Seattle JACL. Applicants for this scholarship must be starting their first year of post-secondary education (university, college, community college, or other educational institution). The Aki Kurose Memorial Scholarship is a $3,000 scholarship and will be presented at the scholarship award lunch.
American Indian Endowed Scholarship
The American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES) helps students with financial need who have close social and cultural ties to an American Indian community in Washington State. Students can use the scholarship at public colleges and many independent colleges in Washington. The program prioritizes upper-division and graduate-level students, but all applicants are considered.
Scholarship Application Open until March 2, 2026 | Scholarships range from $500 to $3,000!
American Indian College Fund
The American Indian College Fund (the College Fund) provides scholarships to graduating American Indian and Alaska Native college students enrolled in certificate, undergraduate, or graduate programs at a Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) or an accredited non-profit college or university in the U.S.
The College Fund manages a wide portfolio of scholarship programs, and TCU students are eligible for all of our opportunities. Applicants only need to submit one application every year to be considered for the College Fund’s portfolio of scholarships.
Will begin accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year February 1st, 2026
BECU Foundation Scholarship
The BECU Foundation Scholarship brings to life BECU’s core principle of people helping people. Every year, this scholarship provides us the opportunity to recognize and honor members who devote their time helping others while also pursuing post-secondary education.
The BECU Foundation is looking for member candidates who embody the people helping people philosophy by actively giving back to their community, whether through volunteering or through other meaningful contributions of time, effort, and care. If this describes you, we encourage you to apply.
This renewable scholarship can be awarded for up to two years. Sixty-four students will be selected to receive 2-year awards worth $2,500 per year for up to $5,000. Eligible students may attend 2-year or 4-year colleges or universities.
Deadline: January 30, 2026
CHERRY AND MAS KINOSHITA SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: 11:59 PM PST on March 2, 2026
Amount: $3,000
The Cherry and Mas Kinoshita Scholarship will be given to an applicant who is of Japanese ancestry, an individual member of the Seattle JACL, or active in the Seattle JACL community, and who plans to pursue or is pursuing studies and/or a career in political science, law, education, journalism, Asian American Studies, or other field leading to service to the community. The Cherry and Mas Kinoshita Scholarship is a $3,000 scholarship and will be presented at the scholarship award lunch.
Center for Quality Communities (CQC) Scholarship
Amount: CQC is awarding three $3,000 scholarships in 2024. Scholarship recipients also receive a travel stipend to attend AWC’s Annual Conference in June.
The Center for Quality Communities (CQC) scholarship supports high school seniors who are active in leadership in their city government, community, or school and plan to pursue post-secondary education. Scholarships may also be available for previous recipients who are continuing their studies.
Each year, all of Washington’s 281 cities and towns can recruit scholarship applicants. Each jurisdiction can nominate one first-time student applicant and one continuing CQC scholarship recipient.
ELAINE REIKO AKAGI SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: 11:59 PM PST on March 2, 2026
Amount: $5,000
Elaine Reiko Akagi retired as an educator in 2010 after 38 years in the public school system. She was a community activist, mentor and advocate for children of color; she worked with students in many settings, from preschool through high school. She saw the relief on a parent’s face when the parent saw a teacher who looked like her child. There was an instant connection. And the students, too, connected with someone who “looked” like them. Ms. Akagi passed away on October 19, 2012 after a very brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. The Elaine Reiko Akagi scholarship is a $5,000 scholarship and will be presented at the luncheon. Applicant should have a declared major in education or a field related to education, i.e. educational psychology or occupational, physical or speech therapy with the intent of working in a school district at the time of application.
Marilyn Smith Scholarship
The Marilynn Smith Scholarship, founded with the intention of supporting aspiring athletes in their pursuit of higher education, offers an opportunity for high school seniors who excel in golf and plan to continue their athletic journey at the collegiate level with a $5000 scholarship.
Application open through February 1, 2026 11:59 pm pst
MINORU TAMESA AND/OR BUNSHIRO TAZUMA SCHOLARSHIP
The Minoru Tamesa and Bunshiro Tazuma scholarships are available to applicants who are of Japanese ancestry, individual members of the Seattle JACL, or active in the Japanese American community. Applicants must also be an undergraduate student in the upcoming academic year, i.e, an incoming freshman or returning undergraduate. Special consideration will be given to incoming freshmen. The Minoru Tamesa and Bunshiro Tazuma Scholarships are both $3,000 scholarships that will be presented at the award luncheon.
Application open through March 2, 2026 11:59 pm pst
Michael E. McGoldrick "MEM" Scholarship Program
The McGoldrick Scholarship program is designed to provide generous financial support for students with a sincere passion for their higher education pursuits.
We are looking for students with big ambitions and personal traits that align with the values of our donor, Michael E. McGoldrick. Students with strong character and high ethics, demonstratable concern for their environment and community, and the intellectual curiosity of the world around them are encouraged to apply.
We are searching for three new students each year to receive a $100,000 scholarship over their four-year college journey.
Most Valuable Student Scholarship
The Elks National Foundation awards 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the national competition.
Applications for the 2026 Most Valuable Student Scholarship are open until November 11, 2025. All high school seniors who are United States citizens are eligible to apply. Judged based on leadership, service, academics, and financial need, the Top 20 applicants receive $30,000 scholarships. The 480 runners-up receive $4,000.
Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship
DEADLINE: March 31, 2026
Niche can help with every step of the college search including paying for it. We're giving one student $25,000 to help cover tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!
High school seniors who apply can also be eligible to receive acceptance (and scholarship!) offers from our Niche Direct Admissions® partner colleges.
Apply for our $25,000 No Essay Scholarship below and focus on your education, not your finances. The winner will be selected by random drawing by April 15th. Good luck!
SchoolHouse Connection’s Scholarship Program
Are you hoping to begin your postsecondary education in the 2025-26 school year and you’ve also experienced homelessness? I wanted to share that SchoolHouse Connection is now accepting applications for its Youth Leadership and Scholarship Program! The scholarship includes: a $2,500 Award, 1-on-1 Support from the SchoolHouse Connection team, 3 All-Expenses-Paid Trips, and more. Learn more about eligibility, benefits of the program, and ✍️
Application open January 1, 2026-June 2, 2026.
SchoolHouseConnection.org/Scholarship.
▶️ Hear from recent scholars! https://youtu.be/JUzufwhsR5o
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
WSOS removes barriers to education and helps Washington students forge their path to high-demand STEM, health care, and trade careers in Washington state. Opportunity Scholars receive financial assistance, career training, and mentorship services that uniquely position them to meet our state’s workforce shortages.
Application open until 9 pm PST February 26, 2026
WSEA Vocational Grant
The Washington State Elks Association Vocational Grant is designed to help graduating high school seniors pursue their vocational education. This grant may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies at a Community College or Technical School. It may be used only for usual and required costs of applicant’s planned course of study and must be paid directly to the school they will be attending.
Who May Apply: Any graduating Senior High School student and/or General Education student, who is a U.S. Citizen is eligible, receiving a diploma or certificate during the current program year and planning to pursue an eligible Vocational/Technical Course, above and supplemental to High School or Preparatory School, may apply.
Application due by Thursday February 5th, 2026