By Andy Orr/Program manager at Green River College
Community colleges throughout the state open the door to a better life for thousands of students each year, particularly low-income and working-class students who cannot afford the hefty price tag of a large university.
From short-term vocational certificates and transfer degrees, to four-year applied baccalaureate programs targeting high-demand fields, there’s something for everyone.
Auburn resident Michael Horn offers a compelling case in point. A teen parent with limited resources, Horn enrolled at Green River College two years ago as a matter of convenience.
“I became interested in computer science after taking an AP course in high school,” Horn said. “I wanted to test the waters in that area of study, and Green River was affordable and close to home. After earning my associate degree, I didn’t see any reason why I should leave. Now I’m earning my bachelor’s degree in software development.”
A tireless work ethic and support from dedicated faculty have propelled Horn, who maintains a near-perfect grade point average while helping raise his now three-year-old son, along the path to becoming a software developer.
Another key ingredient to Horn’s college success? Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, a unique scholarship program that helps low- and middle-income Washington state residents earn their bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields of science, technology, engineering, math and health care.
“There’s nothing in the nation quite like this program,” said Megan Nelson, director of External Affairs at Washington State Opportunity Scholarship. “In 2011, the state and private business came together to address two critical challenges: rising tuition that keeps college out of reach for students, and a lack of qualified workers to fill jobs. Washington State Opportunity Scholarship was created to increase the number of students who graduate with bachelor’s degrees in STEM and health care fields.”
Scholarship recipients receive up to $22,500. Awards start at $2,500 per year and increase annually as students progress in their majors of study. More than 3,800 students from every corner of the state will be awarded in the 2017-18 academic year.
“Thanks to generous investments from Boeing, Microsoft, the Rubens Family Foundation, the state and other private contributions, we’re on track to fund nearly 15,000 students by 2021,” Nelson said. “Fifty-seven percent of scholarship recipients are female and 60 percent are the first in their family to attend college. And based on a 2016 survey, nine out of 10 recipients who sought work were employed within nine months of graduation. As envisioned, this program is putting Washington students on a path to great jobs.”
In addition to a generous award package, scholarship recipients also gain access to career development services designed to prepare them for the world of work that awaits them after graduation.
Added Nelson: “Our scholars have access to professional development and skill-building opportunities. We also offer a mentorship program, which pairs scholars with local professionals in their field of interest and includes curriculum focused on interviewing, networking and soft skills.”
In Horn’s case, the mentorship and skill-building services that Nelson describes provided an undeniable competitive edge, helping him land a technical internship this summer at MBS, a subsidiary of Sealaska.
“Washington State Opportunity Scholarship not only helps me financially. It has also helped me establish professional connections and learn more about my field,” Horn said. “I also took part in a mentorship program that helped me with interviewing skills and writing a resume. In my current internship, I am testing web applications and get to learn more about the software development life cycle in a business environment.”
For students who are interested in learning more about Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, Nelson recommends visiting waopportunityscholarship.org to view a list of eligibility requirements. The site also provides a way for donors to make tax-deductible gifts that are matched by the state dollar for dollar.
“The 2018-19 application will become available on our website in January,” Nelson said. “Applicants should be prepared to submit a FAFSA or WAFSA and tell us what interests them about their planned major and future career.”
As for Horn, the future of this aspiring software developer looks exceptionally bright.
“Green River College has given me opportunities no other school could,” he said, “and it is truly an honor to be a recipient of the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship.”
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