All BTC students are eligible

The foundation has scholarships available for any type of student at BTC regardless of your program, GPA, citizenship, financial situation, or any other status.

One simple application puts you in the running for nearly 150 scholarships. Some of our awards are for specific programs and demographics, but many are open to any student attending BTC.

Before you can apply you need to have a student number.

• Don't have a student ID? Get it here before returning to complete your application.

To be eligible for need-based scholarships, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).

• Don't know your Student Aid Index (SAI)? Click for financial aid help and information.

Scholarship Q & A

When can I apply?
At this time the application is only available during spring quarter, typically April 15-June 30.

When will I know if I got a scholarship? Decisions are made during the summer and students are notified around the first week of August.

When will I get the money?Scholarships are awarded starting in fall and divided evenly over the quarters that you are enrolled for the school year (if you are attending all three quarters next year and you get a $1,500 scholarship you will receive $500 per quarter).

How much money do you give out?The total amount we have available changes every year, but the last few years we gave more than $800,000 and the average award per student has been over $2,000. We base each individual award amount on financial need, time left in program, cost of the program, and the overall application.

What are my chances of getting a scholarship?While we cannot guarantee that you will receive a scholarship, we are here to help you put together the best possible application, which can improve your chances. 

What are the application requirements?There are only three requirements to be considered for a Foundation scholarship. You need a student number assigned by ctcLink, you need to have a FAFSA or WASFA on file, and you need to submit a completed application by the deadline.

How do I know if I am eligible?Some of our donors have set specific criteria for their scholarships. You will complete one simple application and we'll match you up to the scholarships that fit your profile. The questions that you answer on your application help us determine your eligibility for all of our awards. Many of these scholarships are open to any student, which means as long as you are or will be enrolled at BTC, you are eligible.

What scholarships are available and what are the criteria?
Each year we award scholarships from approximately 150 different funds. You can see the list of currently available scholarships and the criteria for each of them at https://btc.awardspring.com/Home/Scholarships .

If you need more information, contact Valerie Frank at vfrank@btc.edu  or call 360.752.8684 .

Acing the essays

In early July a committee gathers together to select scholarship recipients. Every application is carefully considered for an award and your answers are a big factor in our decision.

Your financial situation - One of the most important questions on the scholarship application asks you to describe your living situation while in school, so take some time to give us a clear picture. Do you own or rent? Do you live with roommates, your parents, a partner? Are you a single parent? Will you work full- or part-time? You get the idea...

Your personal statement- This is your opportunity to tell the selection committee more about yourself. We want to hear your story and aren't too concerned about perfect spelling or grammar. Use examples, anecdotes, or stories that let your personality shine through. 

It is a good idea to write your essay in a separate program ( preferably not ChatGPT ) and have someone look it over before you submit your application. BTC faculty and tutors are excellent resources to help you write a winning essay. Learn more about the tutoring center here . You can save your progress and return to make changes until the applications close on June 30.

How your application will be scored

Every essay is read and scored by two or more members of the scholarship selection committee. The scores are added together and averaged. Readers use the following rubric to come up with this score:

• Living situation and financial need:make a case for financial assistance, even if you aren't eligible for state or federal funding
• Benefit of a scholarship:convince us that you are a great candidate for an award
• Program alignment:tell us why you are a good fit for your program
• Overall impression:answer each question completely and thoughtfully

Good luck!

Create a profile and apply at  https://btc.awardspring.com

Applications are only accepted April 15 - June 30. If you need accommodations to complete the application, please contact us for help.