OLYMPIA–Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board offer the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship to Washington’s top career and technical education (CTE) students that can help pay up to two years of college tuition.

WAVE is a merit-based award that helps undergraduate students pay for tuition and other costs at Washington colleges, universities, or private career schools. Top career and technical education students at both the high school, and community and technical college level are eligible to apply.

These students study marine science, automotive technology, advanced manufacturing, information technology, agriculture and more. Their skills are needed. Workforce shortages continue to pose major challenges for the state and national economy.

The WAVE scholarship pays up to two years of tuition or other costs. The minimum award is $4,500 per year for up to two years, or $9,000. The maximum award is $11,700 per year for up to two years, or $23,400. Awards may vary depending on where the student goes to school.

As many as 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.

To qualify, students must have completed high school or community and technical college career technical education courses.

The application portal opened Feb. 1 and entries will be accepted through March 17. To apply and learn more, please visit https://wtb.wa.gov/wave.

For application questions about the 2023 WAVE scholarship, please contact Workforce Board Program and Research Analyst Colleen Seto at [email protected].

“The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence is an outstanding opportunity for Washington students and families to access a more affordable education,” says Eleni Papadakis, executive director.

“We’re proud to honor the achievements of our state’s top career and technical education students.”

The scholarship is administered by Washington’s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, which serves as the state’s policy lead on how career and technical education is delivered across the state. The Washington Student Achievement Council oversees the distribution of the WAVE scholarship.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of business, government, and labor representatives later this spring.