Financial Aid & Scholarships
Most students in our program qualify for financial aid and/or scholarships. We encourage students to plan ahead and apply for all opportunities they qualify for. The most commonly used forms of funding are Financial Aid, Washington Scholars (the Early Achievers fund run by Child Care Aware), Workforce Education funding, Early Achievers, the Bainum Family Foundation Scholarship, Seattle Preschool Program, and the Seattle Colleges Foundation scholarship. In addition to the opportunities listed below, please also check out the North Seattle College scholarships page.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for eligible students working towards certificates, an AAS, or a BAS. Students will need to complete one of the online financial aid applications and submit all required documents to the Financial Aid Office. Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on their website. For information on how to fill out the FAFSA form, please watch this video. Those unable to complete the FAFSA due to citizenship should complete the Washington Application for Student Financial Aid (WAFSA) on their website. Additional information and deadlines are available online. Even if you have missed the deadline, you are still encouraged to apply at your earliest opportunity. You are also encouraged to apply even if you don’t think you will qualify for financial aid as submitting the application is required for other forms of funding.
Important Note
Candidates are highly encouraged to complete the FAFSA and any pertinent scholarship applications at the earliest possible opportunity. Some students who did not expect to receive funding through the FAFSA were pleasantly surprised, and some scholarships require that students apply to the FAFSA first. As a result, we urge all students to apply.
Scholarships
Searching for Scholarships
While the internet can be useful, it’s important to be specific in the way you search. Consider the different ways to describe yourself, including:
- Field of study, degree level
- Gender/age
- Race/ethnicity/background
- Special status (veteran, military family, public servant, etc.)
- Affiliations or memberships (Rotary International, National MS Society, State or National Professional Associations, etc.)
Washington Scholars Program
Students who are accepted to the BAS program and are working at an Early Achievers site are encouraged to apply for scholarships through Child Care Aware’s Washington Scholars Program. This is an annual scholarship with quarterly deadlines, but Child Care Aware encourages you to apply even if you have missed the deadline. Please visit their website to apply or email scholarships@childcareaware.org if you have questions. e.
Workforce Education Funding
Workforce Education is available for students working towards certificates, an AAS, or a BAS. Their various tuition assistance programs are designed to help you access the education you need to achieve your personal and professional goals. If you qualify, you may receive funding for tuition and fees. You may also be eligible for help with textbooks, required supplies, a student ID card, a parking permit or ORCA transit pass. Take the Start Next Quarter survey to find out if you pre-qualify for funding. More information can be found at northseattle.edu/workforce-education.
Early Achievers
Early Achievers is available for students meeting the following requirements:
- Must have worked at an Early Achievers site for a minimum of 3 months
- Must be a resident of Washington state for at least 12 months
- Must work a minimum of 10 hours per week
- Must hold a position as an assistant teacher, lead teacher, program administrator, or family home childcare owner
- Must be a student at North Seattle College
- Must have a valid DCYF STARS Merit ID and employment is reflected on Merit account
Eligible applicants will be placed on a waiting list until funding becomes available. Early Achievers may provide funding for up to 52 credits, with a priority given to those who need to meet the mandated DCYF staff qualifications as outlined in this document.
If you are interested in this funding opportunity, please reach out to Natasha Gray, Early Achievers Point of Contact, at natasha.gray@seattlecolleges.edu.
Seattle Preschool Program
Students who are working towards an AAS or BAS degree and who working at Seattle Preschool Program sites are encouraged to apply for funding through the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning. If you currently work at an SPP site, please contact Rebeccah Cosby at rebeccah.cosby@seattlecolleges.edu and your director to apply.
Seattle Colleges Foundation and More
North Seattle College has information about a variety of scholarships for students working towards certificates, an AAS, or BAS here. Students who are currently enrolled at North are encouraged to apply for Seattle Colleges Foundation Scholarships. The application opens each spring to receive funding for fall quarter. If you have already begun the BAS program, it is not too late to apply for next fall!
Bainum Family Foundation Scholarship
Students who are admitted to the ECE BAS program are eligible to apply for this private quarterly scholarship which can be used towards tuition and fees. It is a “last dollar” scholarship, meaning that students must first complete a FAFSA or WAFSA application before being considered. However, this scholarship is not dependent on income or workplace, but works to cover gaps in tuition and fees.
Washington Women in Need
WWIN offers education grants to assist with the costs of higher education. To learn more and apply, please visit their website.
Seattle Housing Authority Scholarships
Those who are tenants with Seattle Housing Authority may be eligible for a variety of scholarships. To learn more about the available scholarships, please visit their website.
Community Organizations
Check with organizations you or your family and friends are involved with in your community. Sometimes, local organization chapters, honor societies, or religious communities have funds to help support college students. Community foundations such as the Pride Foundation also provide tuition assistance.
Seattle Foundation
The Seattle Foundation currently hosts a number of scholarships. Please visit their website for more information.
Banks
Your bank or credit union may offer scholarship programs for its members. For example, BECU has a scholarship program.
ECE Careers Portal has financial aid resources: https://ececareers.del.wa.gov/financial-aid
Community Organizations:
Check with organizations you or your family and friends are involved with in your community. Sometimes, local organization chapters, honor societies, or religious communities have funds to help support college students. Community foundations such as the Pride Foundation also provide tuition assistance.
Banks:
Your bank or credit union may offer a scholarship program for its members. For example, BECU has a scholarship program.
The WashBoard:
WashBoard is a site made for students in Washington State to search for scholarships. You’ll have to make a full profile (similar to a scholarship application) to be matched with results, but this will help weed out scholarships like “Future Teachers of Minnesota” since it’s focused on WA residents. Sometimes the application dates on this site are old, but it should lead you to scholarship programs that are a good fit.
Washington Scholarships Clearinghouse:
TheWashBoard.org works to match students with Washington state scholarships. To learn more and to get matched with a scholarship, please visit their website.
College Board: Big Future
Google Search: The internet can also be useful, but you have to be specific in the way you search. Think about different ways to describe yourself including:
- Field of study, degree level
- Gender / Age
- Race/ethnicity/background
- Special status (veteran, military family, public servant, etc.)
- Affiliations or Memberships – Rotary International, National MS Society, State or National Professional Associations.