Opportunity Grant Scholarship

Due to increased demand and state budget reductions, Opportunity Grant awards for new applicants may be paused. We encourage you to continue to submit the application documents and will review them as funding is available.

What is the Opportunity Grant?

The Opportunity Grant is a scholarship available to eligible students training for high-demand, high-wage careers at Whatcom. Priority is given to students working on their first degree/certificate, and first generation students (you are the first in your family to attend college).

Eligible students may receive funds to cover tuition and mandatory fees up to 45 credits or $4,400, and up to $1,000 per academic year for books and supplies. Quarterly funding is limited and disbursed as funds are available.

*Tuition for Massage Therapy will be paid at the regular full-time tuition rate NOT Massage Therapy tuition rates. *

Individual student support services are also an important part of this scholarship, and includes a single point of contact, career advising, academic tutoring help, emergency childcare, emergency transportation and/or other academic and personal support services.

Eligibility Requirements

Be a Washington State Resident
Enrolled in or working towards admission into specific, approved program of study (see below)
Have family income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty levels (income chart below)
Have not earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA

Eligible programs:

Associate of Applied Science Degree or Certificate - Accounting
Associate of Applied Science Degree – Business Administration
Certificate – Business Administration – Retail Management
Associate of Applied Science Computer Information Systems (CIS) Degree
Associate of Applied Science- Criminal Justice
Certificate - CIS – Network Administration
Certificate - CIS – Technical Support
Associate in Applied Science – Cybersecurity
Associate of Applied Science Early Childhood Education Degree, or Certificate - Early Childhood Education
Associate of Applied Science Degree – Finance
Associate of Applied Science- Hospitality and Tourism Business Management
Certificate- Hospitality and Tourism Business Management
Associate in Science Degree or Certificate - Massage Practitioner
Associate of Applied Science Degree, or Certificate - Medical Assisting
Associate of Applied Science Degree - Physical Therapist Assistant
Associate in Science Degree - Nursing
Associate of Applied Science- Software Development
Associate of Applied Science - Substance Use Disorder Professional
Certificate - Substance Use Disorder Professional (only for students with prior associates degree)
BAS in Applied Business Management
BAS in Social Work
BAS in IT Networking-Cybersecurity

*Transfer degrees are not eligible for the Opportunity Grant

Income eligibility guidelines:

Your income must be no greater than the amounts listed in the 2024 HHS 200% poverty guidelines

Size of family unit	Monthly Gross income maximum	Yearly gross income maximum
1	$2,608	$31,300
2	$3,525	$42,300
3	$4,441	$53,300
4	$5,358	$64,300
5	$6,275	$75,300
6	$7,191	$86,300
7	$8,108	$97,300
8	$9,025	$108,300

Scholarship guidelines

If you are accepted into the Opportunity Grant Scholarship program, you must meet these guidelines in order to maintain your scholarship eligibility:

Be in good academic standing with the college's Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines and maintain a minimum quarterly and cumulative GPA of 2.0

There is no cut-off deadline for this scholarship. We accept applications on a continuous-basis, as funds are available. Students are usually considered for the following quarter in which they submit their application.

If you need help filling out the application or gathering the required documents, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Appointments can be made by calling Workforce Funding at 360.383.3154

FAQs

How do I submit my financial aid award?

Your Financial Aid award letter can be found on your Financial Aid portal. You must complete and submit all required documents the Financial Aid Office needs from you in order to receive your aid award package. Once you have your award package, you can print off a screen copy from the Financial Aid portal and attach this to your Opportunity Grant application, or submit to the Entry & Advising Office, Laidlaw 116.
Is there a deadline for this scholarship?

No. We accept applications on an ongoing basis. If you have a complete application packet and you are selected by the Opportunity Grant committee, we will consider you for the earliest possible quarter we are able to based on availability and funding.
Do I have to apply for this every quarter?

No. If you are a student who currently receives the Opportunity Grant, you do not have to reapply for the scholarship. You DO however need to reapply for the FAFSA every year and submit your financial aid award letter to us. If you are not a current Opportunity Grant student, please apply once for the scholarship and submit all other necessary documents within a month. Incomplete applications will be securely disposed of after one month.
I’ve had some personal and financial fluctuations recently. What if the numbers on my tax return don’t reflect my current circumstances?

If you have had a change of circumstances, you are able to submit copies of your previous two months of pay stubs, and all untaxed income such as unemployment benefits, public assistance, child care support or spousal support. If this situation is not applicable to you, know that we do prefer a tax return to most all other forms of financial documentation. In addition, you may also file a Petition for Special Circumstances, which may adjust your total financial aid award package that you receive from the WCC Financial Aid Office. Please read the directions on the form carefully and be sure that your circumstances align with the eligibility guidelines of the petition.
I'm not eligible for financial aid because my parents make too much, but they don't financially support me and I don't live with them.

The Financial Aid Office may be able to work with you. Complete the Petition for Independent Status and speak with the Financial Aid staff to possibly find a workable solution.

More FAQ's »

Whatcom Community College

Popular Searches