Scholarships
WSU Tri-Cities awards more than $275,000 in scholarships to help students of all backgrounds reach their goals and aspirations. Students have the opportunity to receive scholarships from WSU and the local community.
WSU Tri-Cities students should fill out the WSU General Application to be considered for any Tri-Cities scholarships. The deadline to apply is January 31st.
The scholarship application for the 2023-2024 school year is due January 31st.
WSU Scholarships
Awards can range from several hundred dollars to full coverage of tuition and expenses. In most circumstances, you can receive more than one scholarship at the same time.
Departmental Scholarships
The University’s academic colleges and departments offer scholarships to students who are majoring or taking classes in their subject areas:
Local Scholarships for WSU Tri-Cities Cougs
| Scholarship | Criteria | Major | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gesa Scholarships | Member of Gesa Credit Union; full time student, 3.0 GPA | Any | Varies | 28-Feb |
| WFAA Ethnic Awareness Scholarship | Washington State resident, leadership ability, 3.0 GPA, financial need, half time student | Any | up to $1500 | 30-Sep |
| Washington Wine Industry Foundation | Varies | Wine Science | Varies | 31-March |
| Soroptimist Three Rivers -Live Your Dream Awards | Female, financial need, undergraduate, provides primary support for yourself and others | Any | 2 at $2500 | 15-Nov |
| Jim Thomas Scholarship | Students enrolled or accepted for enrollment for the next Academic Year at Washington State University at Tri-Cities (WSU-TC) Membership in IEEE as a Student or Graduate Student member Neither receipt of other scholarships or aid nor previous receipt of the IEEE Richland Section Scholarship shall preclude consideration for the award | Interest in an IEEE field of interest o Engineering, o Computer Sciences and Information Technology, o Physical Sciences, o Biological and Medical Sciences, o Mathematics, o Technical Communications, o Education, o Management, and o Law and Policy | 1000 | 12-Nov & 19-Feb |
| Lourdes Scholarship | Live in Benton or Franklin Counties or live in Burbank; special consideration given to those who express financial need, demonstrate academic rigor, and or possess a strong background in community service/volunteerism | Nursing; health care related field | 1500 | 29-Apr |
| TwinStar Credit Union Higher Education Scholarship | Member of TwinStar Credit Union, good standing, Provide proof of enrollment, Copy of applicant's high school or college transcript | Any | 8 at $2000 | 31-Jul |
| Tri-Cities Construction Council | Enrolled or planning to attend college; family member must be an owner or employee of a company that is a full dues paying member; winner will be based on academic achievement, community and school involvement, financial need, leadership potential, and relationship of the student's field of study to the construction industry (but not required) | Any | 2000 | 31-Mar |
| Society of Women Engineers-Eastern Washington Section | Sophomore, junior, or senior or pursuing a graduate degree. | Engineering | 1000 | 28-Feb |
| Washington State Fair Scholarships | Attending an accredited two or four year college, university or trade/technical school, Currently working, volunteering or involved in a school sponsored activity at least 8 hours per month, on average, Prior involvement with the Fair (4H, FFA, etc.) and financial need may be considered, though neither is a requirement | Any | 3000 | 12-Feb |
| Soroptimist International of PK | Women Different scholarships include: women head of household, women in business or accounting, and women seeking a technical degree. | Any | Varies | November 15 |
| PMI Columbia River Basin Scholarship | Û¢ Any individual who is a member of the PMI Columbia River Basin Chapter or a family member of a current member of the PMI Columbia River Basin Chapter. For family members, the closest familial relationship would be awarded first (i.e., child, grandchild, niece/nephew) Û¢ Any individual whose primary residence is within the geographical area of the PMI Columbia River Basin Chapter. The geographic boundary of the Chapter is defined by the following zip code ranges: 988xx ÛÒ 989xx and 993xx. Û¢ Any individual residing in the state of Washington, USA. | Interest in Project Management | 2000 | 1-May |
| Washington Women in Need Grant | You must be female, as indicated on your Washington State Identification You must be 18 years of age or older You must have resided in Washington for the past twelve (12) months You must be a United States citizen or permanent resident to the United States You must be admitted into or registered at an approved college or university that is in good standing with the State Need Grant Program, and are enrolled in a specific program. | Any | up to $5000 | Apply between March 1 and March 30 |
| OIC of Washington | You or a a parent worked in seasonal agricultural work for at least 2 years, household qualified as low income or receives SNAP, TANF, or Apple Health, and authorized to work in the U.S. | Any | 1000 | Call 509-545-0484 to schedule an appointment |
| Pamela Scott Woodward Conservation Scholarship | Resident of Benton or Franklin County, full time student, 3.0 GPA | Interest in conservation | 1000 | April 30 |
| TerraGraphics | HUBZone designated area, enrolled in an accredited public or private college, university or trade school, required to complete and record 40 hours of class attendance/and or volunteer service every month throughout award year. | Any | 40 hours per month at minimum wage | none |
| WSUAA Scholarship Supplemental Application | Varies | Varies | Varies | January 31, 2022 |
| Paul Lauzier Scholarship | Students who graduated from a high school in Grant County, resided there for a minimum of 2 years before HS graduation, minimum GPA of 2.75 | Any | Varies | March 1, 2022 |
| EWS SWE Framatome 2022 Scholarship | Female undergraduate or graduate student, sophomore, junior or senior status. Residing in Eastern WA. | Engineering | $500 | March 31, 2022 |
| Gardiner Foundation Scholarship Fund 2023 | Letter stating why you should receive the scholarship, letter of recommendation from Counselor, Dean, or Principal, college acceptance letter | Any | $1500 | July 15 |
| Bosterbio Scholarship for Young Scientists | Proof of acceptance into research position, letter of recommendation, 3.6 GPA | Biology | $1000 | May 31, 2023 |
| B. Davis Scholarship | Essay on leadership | High school juniors and seniors | $1000 | May 21, 2023 |
| Sage I.T. Scholarship | Article writing contest | All students older than 19 and below 30 years of age | $1000 | January 5, 2023 |
| Harlem Bling Annual Scholarship | Essay on diamonds | Incoming undergraduate or graduate students | $600 | June 30, 2023 |
| AACCES Scholarship | 3.0 GPA | Any | up to $5000 | March 31, 2023 |
| Public Notary Services Scholarship Program 2023 | Be currently enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college | Any | $1000 | April 30th, 2023 |
| P.E.O. Chapter FK Edna Myers Scholarship for Women (Email peochapterfk@gmail.com for application) | Female Heritage University student; Sophomore, Junior, or Senior status; US citizen or permanent US resident; GPA, service, and financial need are considered. | Any | $2500 | April 1, 2023 |
| Trial Pro, P.A. National Academic Scholarship | High school senior or college student pursuing AA, Bachelor's or Master's Degree with minimum 3.0 GPA | Any | $5000 | March 20, 2023 |
| TastyPlacement Scholarship | 500+ word online blog post on any marketing topic you like | Any | $1000 | December 1, 2023 |
Merit-Based Awards
Washington Resident First-Year Students
Tri-Cities First-Year Student Achievement Award
$3,000 Per Year (Four Years)
Eligibility
Awarded to students based on a minimum 3.75 unweighted high school grade point average (GPA). The Tri-Cities First-Year Student Achievement Award for Washington resident applicants is automatically awarded and qualified students are notified when they are admitted to WSU Tri-Cities.
To receive the award, you must also:
- Complete your admission application and transcripts by March 31 (fall semester) or November 15 (spring semester)
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. (HB 1079 & DACA students eligible)
- Be a resident of the state of Washington
- Enroll at WSU Tri-Cities a first-year student
To qualify, your admission packet must be complete with all required transcripts submitted by March 31 (fall semester) or November 15 (spring semester). All scholarship criteria is subject to change. Funding for these awards is limited and not guaranteed. Unofficial/self-reported high school GPA reported in a student’s application may be used in awarding scholarships. Students will be asked to confirm academic status by providing an official transcript. Eligibility requirements and award amounts are subject to change.
Renewal Criteria
Earn 24 credits for the academic year with a 3.20 minimum WSU GPA.
Whether you are eligible for this particular award or not, be sure to also fill out the WSU General Scholarship Application by January 31 annually. It gives you the opportunity to be considered for more than 700 other scholarship programs.
Washington Resident Transfer
Transfer Award
$2,000 or $1,000 Per Year (Two Years)
Eligibility
To be eligible for a transfer award, you must be Washington state resident entering the WSU Tri-Cities campus as a transfer student from a community college and have earned 27 semester (40 quarter) credit hours at the time of transferring.
To receive the award, you must also:
- Submit your admission application by July 15 (fall semester) and Nov. 15 (spring semester)
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. (HB 1079 & DACA students eligible)
- Be a resident of the state of Washington
- Enroll at WSU Tri-Cities as a transfer student
All scholarship criteria is subject to change. Funding for these awards is limited and not guaranteed. Unofficial/self-reported high school GPA reported in a student’s application may be used in awarding scholarships. Students will be asked to confirm academic status by providing an official transcript.
Renewal Criteria
Earn 24 credits for the academic year with a 3.20 minimum WSU GPA.
Eligibility requirements and award amounts are subject to change.
Whether you are eligible for this particular award or not, be sure to also fill out the WSU General Scholarship Application by January 31 annually. It gives you the opportunity to be considered for more than 700 other scholarship programs.
Note: Your transfer GPA is based only on courses that transfer for credit to WSU. To determine how your credit transfers, visit the WSU Transfer Center.
Non-Washington Resident First-Year Students
Distinguished Cougar Award/Western Undergraduate Exchange
$11,000 Per Year
Eligibility
Awarded to admitted first-year students who start at WSU with a minimum 3.6 unweighted high school grade point average (GPA).
To receive the award, you must also:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Be a resident outside the state of Washington and charged non-resident tuition
- Enroll at the Tri-Cities campus as a first-year student
This scholarship cannot be combined with the National Merit Scholarship.
To qualify, your admission packet must be complete with all required transcripts submitted prior to January 31 (fall semester) and Nov. 15 (spring semester). All scholarship criteria is subject to change. Funding for these awards is limited and not guaranteed. Unofficial/self-reported high school GPA reported in a student’s application may be used in awarding scholarships. Students will be asked to confirm academic status by providing an official transcript.
Cougar Award
$7,000 Per Year
Eligibility
An out-of-state student starting at WSU may receive a $7,000 award, renewable for an additional three years. Qualified students receive the award automatically. No additional action or forms are required for consideration. Awarded to admitted first-year students who start at WSU Tri-Cities with a 3.2–3.59 unweighted high school grade point average (GPA).
To receive the award, you must also:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Be a resident outside the state of Washington and charged non-resident tuition
- Enroll at the Tri-Cities campus as a first-year student
This scholarship cannot be combined with the National Merit Scholarship.
To qualify, your admission packet must be complete with all required transcripts submitted prior to January 31. All scholarship criteria is subject to change. Funding for these awards is limited and not guaranteed. Unofficial/self-reported high school GPA reported in a student’s application may be used in awarding scholarships. Students will be asked to confirm academic status by providing an official transcript.
Renewal Criteria
Eligibility requirements and award amounts are subject to change.
Be sure to fill out the WSU General Scholarship Application by January 31 annually, and use the scholarship search tool to find additional scholarship opportunities.
See terms and conditions.
Non-Washington Resident Transfer
Transfer Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
$11,000 Per Year
Eligibility
With the Transfer Western Undergraduate Exchange or WUE (here we call it the Cougar Award for Transfers), an out-of-state transfer student starting at WSU in 2021 may receive an $11,000 award. Qualified students receive the award automatically, and are notified shortly after their offer of admission to WSU. No additional action or forms are required for consideration. Awarded to admitted transfer students who apply by January 31 (fall semester) and Nov. 15 (spring semester) and will start at WSU with 27+ transferable semester credit hours with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
If you don’t have 27 transferable semester credits, you must have a minimum unweighted high school GPA of 3.4 AND a cumulative minimum transfer GPA of 3.0.
To receive the award, you must also:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Be a resident outside the state of Washington and charged non-resident tuition
- Enroll at the Tri-Cities campus as a transfer student
The award is renewable for an additional three years or until attainment of first Bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.
To qualify, your admission packet must be complete with all required transcripts submitted prior to January 31 (fall semester) and November 15 (spring semester). All scholarship criteria is subject to change. Funding for these awards is limited and not guaranteed. Unofficial/self-reported high school GPA reported in a student’s application may be used in awarding scholarships. Students will be asked to confirm academic status by providing an official transcript.
Renewal Criteria
Eligibility requirements and award amounts are subject to change.
Be sure to fill out the WSU general scholarship application by January 31 annually, and use the scholarship search tool to find additional scholarship opportunities.
See terms and conditions.
Oregon Resident Awards
Residents from bordering Oregon counties may qualify for in-state tuition rates. The I-82 Advantage program is for students who reside in Umatilla County and are enrolled in more than nine credits. The Border Bill is for students who live in neighboring counties who are enrolled in fewer than nine credits.
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