Federal & State Grants Opportunities
Grants generally come from three main sources. Grant are offered through the federal government, state government, and institutions (your college). While some grants require students to meet specific criteria in order to receive them, most grants offered by the state or federal government are awarded based solely on financial need.
Federal, state and institutional grants for undergraduate students provide financial aid funding that does not need to be repaid.
Federal Grants
The student must enrolled for at least one credit per quarter. The student must meet federal eligibility requirements and not have earned a bachelor’s degree. Eligibility ends after equivalent of six full-time years of Pell, 150% of credits required or bachelor’s degree (whichever is first).
Awarded based on financial need. Students may receive the Pell Grant for a maximum of three (3) full-time (12 credits or more) quarters per academic year. The grant is prorated for less than full-time enrollment. Eligibility is limited to a lifetime maximum of 18 full-time quarters.
The student must be a Pell recipient and enrolled for at least one credit per quarter. The student must meet federal eligibility requirements with priority given to Pell recipients.
Awarded based on financial need. Students may receive the Pell Grant for a maximum of three (3) full-time (12 credits or more) quarters per academic year. The grant is prorated for less than full-time enrollment. Eligibility is limited to a lifetime maximum of 18 full-time quarters.
State Grants
The Washington College Grant is one of the most generous and flexible financial aid programs in the country. The amount you receive depends on family size, income and the cost of your school or program. For example, if your family of four makes:
- $78,500 or less, your college or career training could be free!
- Up to $120,500, you could get some money for college or training.
WA Grant is available to:
- Washington residents (including undocumented people)
- Recent high school graduates or working-age adults
- Low- to middle-income families and individuals
- People who plan to attend an approved certificate program, job training, apprenticeship, or college, part-time or full-time
The College Bound Scholarship program is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who sign up in middle school and fulfill the scholarship pledge.
Created by the state of Washington, the Passport to College Promise Scholarship encourages foster youth to prepare for and succeed in college. Eligible foster youth can receive scholarships and other forms of financial aid that will help pay tuition and living expenses for up to five years of college. Scholars receive guidance from college academic and financial aid counselors, assistance finding housing during school breaks and over the summer, special consideration for the State Need Grant and State Work Study financial aid programs, and help finding student employment.
The ETV Program is a national program for youth who qualify and are likely to age out of the foster care system. ETV offers financial assistance to eligible youth to attend an accredited college, university, vocational or technical college.
The maximum ETV award is $5,000 per academic year. Awards are determined by the Cost of Attendance (COA) formula established by the college or university the youth is enrolled, and any unmet need they may have within their financial aid award. Awards vary and not every youth will receive the maximum amount. ETV funds may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies, housing, transportation and other education related costs.
The Washington State Governors’ Scholarship for Foster Youth is a scholarship program that helps young men and women from foster care continue their education and earn a college degree. The program is supported by Gov. Jay Inslee, The Honorable Chris Gregoire (former governor), The Honorable Gary Locke (former governor), and other former governors in Washington State.
Proceeds from the Governors’ Cup – an annual golf tournament – provide funding for approximately 40 – 50 new scholars each year. Scholarship award amounts range from $2,000 to $4,000 depending on the college of attendance.
Selected students can access the annual scholarship for up to five years to complete an undergraduate study. Students must be enrolled full time and maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to renew the scholarship each year.
Yakima Valley College Grants
Yakima Valley College Grant is an institutional grant that does not have to be repaid. This grant is available to you if you’re a Washington State resident with high financial need. Eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office.
Washington residents demonstrating financial need may be eligible to have all or part of their resident tuition paid. Eligibility is determined at the time of awarding, and students must submit a FAFSA or WASFA application to be considered for this award. This award only applies to tuition. Students must pay their mandatory and course fees. No refunds will be issued on awards exceeding tuition costs.
The Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH) pilot program aims to assist students experiencing homelessness, are at risk for homelessness, and/or who were in the foster care system when they graduated high school.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships can be an important part of how you pay for college. Eligibility and criteria for scholarships varies widely – they may be awarded on the basis of academic achievement, leadership potential, artistic talents, athletic ability, career plans, field of study, or special hobbies or interests.
TheWashBoard.org is a free, student-centered, online clearinghouse for Washington students seeking college scholarships. This user-friendly site allows students to search and apply for scholarship opportunities that are specific to their academic interests, college, university, or other criteria. Students can easily see what criteria are required and apply for only those scholarships that are a good fit. Scholarships are available year-round, so students should keep their profile up to date and log in periodically to see if there are new matches.
Financial aid and scholarship wizard – US Department of Education financial aid and scholarship wizard.
SallieMae – Scholarship Search – College Answer features over 600,000 scholarships, grants, tuition waivers, internships, and fellowships.
College Board Scholarship Search – Locate scholarship and other information that matches your educational level, talents, and background.
Scholarships
WAVE is a scholarship that recognizes the achievements of high-performing Washington career and technical education (CTE) students who demonstrate excellence in career-connected coursework.
WAVE recognizes top career and technical education (CTE) students at both the high school and college level across 49 Washington legislative districts. There are up to 147 potential award winners each year.
A state scholarship program for residents who enrolled in the program in middle school and have met all conditions. Eligible student must meet State Need Grant requirements at below the 65% MFI level and meet program enrollment/usage requirements.
The scholarship covers tuition (at comparable public colleges), some fees, and a small book allowance.
Note: Foster youth in grades 7 through 12, up to age 21, who have not graduated from high school, are automatically enrolled. They are considered to have a complete application for the College Bound Scholarship via a data exchange between the Washington Student Achievement Council and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) offers two scholarship programs for Washington state residents pursuing a credential towards a high-demand career in Washington state. Our Baccalaureate Scholarship is for Scholars pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM or health care field. The Career and Technical Scholarship (CTS) is for Scholars pursuing a degree or certificate in a high-demand trade, STEM or health care field such as welding, manufacturing or information technology. (Information available in English and Spanish.)
Since its inception in 1977, the YVC Foundation has provided student scholarships and supported the college. The Foundation board is made up of alumni, business, civic, and professional leaders.
The YVC Foundation administers and awards scholarship funds from several different donors. A complete list of Scholarships & Awards is available online. Applications for the YVC Foundation scholarships are available each year beginning December 1 and are due the last day of February. The application can be found online. The Foundation staff will match recipients to the appropriate scholarship(s). Scholarships are presented at the annual awards ceremony held in June.
To learn more about the YVC Foundation or to become a donor, contact the Foundation Office at 509.574.4645.
The 2022-23 academic year was the final year Beyond DREAMing Scholarships were awarded. DREAMer (undocumented) students are now eligible to apply for YVC Foundation Scholarships.
For more information: 509.574.4701 / mvasquez@yvcc.edu
Downtown Yakima Rotary has been awarding scholarships to local high school students for over 50 years. While it is possible to go back and calculate the amount of money awarded (well in excess of a million dollars), the incalculable amount is the investment in our local students. The Rotary scholarships are the shining star of the club. No other single part of the club has had such as lasting impact on our community like their scholarships.
Academic Scholarships
Yakima Rotary provides the opportunity for local graduating high school students from Davis, East Valley, Eisenhower, Highland, LaSalle, Naches Valley, Selah, Riverside Christian, and West Valley high schools, along with homeschooled students within their districts and Running Start students to apply for fifteen Academic Scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each. The scholarship to be used as at a post-high school institution beginning the fall after graduation is based upon academic performance; citizenship in the school and community environment; a personal essay; and letters of recommendation. Applications for the Academic Scholarship are normally available in February.
Vocational Scholarships
Yakima Rotary provides Vocational Scholarship opportunities for high school students and those attending YV-Tech, Stanton Academy, Yakima On-Line, and older students who are currently or will be attending Perry Technical Institute, Heritage University, and YVC. Recipients must be enrolled or planning to enroll at a post-high school vocational institution, a 2-year terminal vocational program, or an applied baccalaureate program at a community college within one year of the scholarship award. Completion of the program must result in a degree or certification. Criteria are based upon the quality of the applicants training plans, the student’s commitment to the plan, financial need, and progress toward their goals. Applications are normally available in January or February.
In December 2008, Mollie Davis passed away leaving an educational bequest of $20 million dollars to fund two and four-year scholarships to benefit residents of Yakima County. The Yakima Rotary Trust was named the administrator of the scholarship program. The funds are managed by the Yakima Valley Community Foundation. The Mollie Davis Scholarship program awards up to $7,500 a year and up to $30,000 overall toward a Bachelor’s Degree. In addition, we award up to $3,500 a year toward an associate’s degree. The application period begins 12/1 and closes 2/22 each year.
Horatio Alger National Career & Technical Scholarship Program
The Career & Technical Scholarship Program is funded through the Horatio Alger Endowment Fund and the generosity of Association Chairman Emeritus and Endowment Fund President Walter Scott, Jr. Scholarships are awarded to students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their lives who wish to pursue a career or technical education at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States. The scholarship award is up to $2500.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly selective scholarship for the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities. Each Cooke Scholar has access to generous financial support for two to three years, college planning support, ongoing advising, and the opportunity to connect with the thriving community of fellow scholars.
MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) The MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide is a free, informative resource guide for students, parents, and educators with an extensive list of scholarships, including many that do not inquire about immigration status.
Loan Opportunities
Generally, there are two types of student loans:
Federal student loans: These loans are funded by the federal government.
Private student loans: These loans are nonfederal loans, made by a lender such as a bank, credit union, state agency, or a school.
If you need to borrow money to pay for college or career school, a federal student loan is probably your best option.
The three types of federal student loans are:
- Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans;
- Direct PLUS Loans “(Not offered at YVC)
- Federal Perkins Loans (Not offered at YVC)
The US Department of Education has a website that explains all of the ins and outs of financial aid. Visit studentaid.gov/ for comprehensive, reliable information on all of your loans and other financial aid options.
Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program
Federal Direct Stafford Loans provide additional support to many students. The federal program maintains low-interest rates and offers a variety of repayment plans. However, if you have to borrow, borrow wisely. Federal student loans are low-interest loans that require repayment. Yakima Valley College participates in the Direct Stafford Loan program which provides the best benefits for you as a borrower. This program is not a credit history-based program. Both subsidized and unsubsidized loans are available. To learn more, please review the Student Loans page.
To qualify, students must complete the FAFSA each year.
Federal Parent PLUS Loan Program
The Federal Parent PLUS loan program is a credit-based loan program available to all qualifying parents. You’ll first need to complete the FAFSA before your parents can borrow money under this program. If your parents are denied the loan because of their credit rating you will be eligible for additional funds under this loan program. YVC does not offer Parent PLUS loans. Our tuition rates are lower and our students have access to Federal Stafford Loans.
Learn more about Federal Student Loans
You can learn more about Federal Student Loans with this brochure.
Income-Based Tuition Programs (Special Funding)
YVC offers special funding options for current and prospective students interested in workforce education programs and training. Most students attending Yakima Valley College receive some type of financial aid. Below are a few options for workforce education.
YVC’s Basic Food, Employment, and Training (BFET) provides services to Basic Food (Food Stamp) recipients in Washington State. Services may include establishing or maintaining eligibility for Basic Food while in school, child care subsidy, job search training, and other support services.
- Eligibility for a childcare subsidy (Working Connections Child Care) through the DSHS
- Eligibility to receive Basic Food Benefits (Food Stamps) while enrolled in college
- Tuition assistance
- Financial assistance with other college-related expenses (e.g., school supplies and books)
- Personal career assessment and planning
- Case management and employment plans
- Job search assistance and employment retention services
Eligibility Requirements:
- Receiving or eligible to receive Basic Food benefits (SNAP)
- Household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty rate
- Must not be receiving TANF
- Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Pursue an approved professional/technical or transfer program (BAS programs are not eligible)
- GED, HS 21+, ABE, and ESL programs may also be considered if necessary to achieve an employment goal
*Please Note: Enrollment in BFET is based on eligibility and availability of funds. Students must reapply each quarter.
Program Eligibility Criteria:
- Currently employed in a childcare program that participates in Early Achievers (Washington’s Quality Rating and Improvement System)
- must have been working a minimum of 10 hours per week
(or 40 hours per month) for at leasBt 3 months
- A Washington State resident
- Studying with the intent of earning an Early Childhood Education certificate or AA degree.
Students who qualify for WorkFirst Financial Aid may be eligible for:
- Assistance with tuition and books
- Student Support
Opportunity Grant provides assistance with tuition, fees, and books to low-income students who are enrolled in specific, high-demand career pathway programs at YVC. The approved programs at YVC include:
- I-Best (Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training) programs: Agriculture, Business Technology, Pharmacy Assistant, and Phlebotomy.
- Additional eligible programs include Allied Health, Nursing AAS, Business Technology, and Early Childhood Education.
Priority funding goes to students who are enrolled in one of the I-BEST programs. Must be a Washington State resident to qualify.
WorkFirst programs are federally funded and are designed to support students who are TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients.
Students who qualify for WorkFirst Financial Aid may be eligible for:
- Assistance with tuition, books and fees (pending the availability of funds)
- Childcare assistance through Working Connections/Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
- Educational advising and personal support
Program Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be currently receiving TANF and meeting all participation requirements
- Students must be enrolled in a Workforce Education program through YVC
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above and meet YVC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy
- Must have a referral to YVC for training from your case manager at DSHS
- Eligible students may attend full time or part-time classes
Worker Retraining provides assistance to individuals who are receiving Washington State Unemployment Insurance benefits or have lost their job due to economic changes and need to change careers in order to re-enter the workforce.
YVC’s Worker Retraining offers training for a wide range of professional-technical certificates and degrees within the Workforce Education Division.
Eligible Worker Retraining students may receive tuition assistance and/or funds to cover the cost of books for one quarter at YVC.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Currently receiving Washington State Unemployment Benefits
- Have exhausted your Washington State Unemployment Benefits within the past 48 months
- Is employed in an occupation identified as “not in demand” (declining) on the region’s Demand-Decline List; and/or
- The individual has not reached the “tipping point,” which is defined as one year of college credits (45 credits) plus any certificate or degree related to their college course work; and/or
- In order to remain employed, the individual needs to obtain new skills (Individual must meet two of the three eligibility requirements to qualify)
- Have been determined to be a “Dislocated Worker” by WorkSource
- Have been self-employed within the past 48 months, operating your own business, and are now unemployed due to economic downturn
- Are an unemployed veteran who has been honorably discharged from the US Armed Services within the past 24 months
* Please note: Funding for qualified Worker Retraining students is contingent upon availability of Worker Retraining funds. All applications are reviewed and processed on a case by case basis.
Work Study Opportunities
The State Work Study (SWS) program helps low- and middle-income undergraduate and graduate students earn money to pay part of their college costs while gaining valuable work experience in jobs related to their interests and goals. This allows students to develop career skills and job connections while avoiding added loan debt.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- File for financial aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid).
- The student must meet federal eligibility requirements and be enrolled in at least six credits. Currently, jobs are on-campus with payment on a monthly basis.
Note: U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens should complete the FAFSA. Students who are ineligible for federal financial aid but who have DACA (Deferred Action for Early Childhood Arrivals) status should file the WASFA. For more information on which form to file, see our WASFA questionnaire.
- Be a resident of Washington State.
- Enroll at least half-time in an eligible program.
- Not be pursuing a degree in theology.
- Not owe a refund or repayment, or be in default in another financial aid program.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Be able to work legally in the United States.
Award
Awards are based on the availability of funds and your determined financial need. While awards vary, students generally earn between $2,000 and $5,000 per year. Students may not work more than an average of 16 hours per week while enrolled- depending on their award.
How to Apply
You will automatically be considered for State Work Study when you file the FAFSA or WASFA. Contact the Financial Aid office for more information.
Learn more about how work study and student employment works at YVC.
