Wave Scholarship 2025
For more information, visit: https://wtb.wa.gov/wave/
2025 Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) Scholarship
Washington’s top career and technical education (CTE) students are encouraged to apply for the 2025 Washington Award for Vocational Excellence. This merit scholarship helps pay for college and training.
Application Window: Open until March 10, 2025. Learn more and apply here.
Award Details
A number of factors determine awards, including available funding and where students go to school. At a minimum, students will receive about $3,900 per year, for two years, or $7,800 total. Past awards have been as high as $11,700 per year, for two years. See historical funding information here.
The scholarship helps students pay for tuition and other costs at Washington colleges, universities, or private career schools.
New Application Portal
Students will see a new application portal this year, thanks to the Washington Legislature. The new portal is expected to ease the application process for students, teachers, and volunteers.
“The WAVE scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for Washington students,” - Workforce Board Executive Director Eleni Papadakis
“This scholarship builds a stronger workforce in communities across the state. Many thanks to the Washington Legislature for supporting this scholarship, including a new application portal.”
Eligibility Criteria
Students who are eligible to apply:
- Graduating high school seniors who have finished or are completing the equivalent of two high school credits in a single CTE pathway.
- Community and technical college students who have completed the equivalent of one year of professional-technical or apprenticeship coursework.
Up to 147 students will be awarded WAVE scholarships this year – two high school students, and one community or technical college student from each of Washington’s 49 legislative districts.
These students are training in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, agriculture technology, and other specialties in high demand by Washington employers.
Past Awardees
Some previous awardees were featured in these news stories as they launched their careers studying nursing, early childhood education, aviation, and other specialties.
Funding & Administration
WAVE is funded by the Washington Legislature, which created the scholarship in 1984 to encourage the state’s top career and technical education students to achieve their education and career goals.
The scholarship is administered by Washington’s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, which works in partnership with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish state policies on how career and technical education is delivered across the state. The Washington Student Achievement Council oversees the distribution of WAVE scholarship funds.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of business, government, and labor volunteers later this spring.
Get Involved
Help spread the word about WAVE by printing and sharing this flyer. Get more updates through our Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram channels.
Questions?
For application questions about the 2025 WAVE scholarship, check out our website for FAQs, application instructions, and more.
Questions? Please contact the Workforce Board at wave.award@wtb.wa.gov.
