Navigating Scholarships and Financial Aid at the University of Washington Bothell

Financing a college education is a significant undertaking. For students considering the University of Washington (UW) Bothell, understanding the landscape of scholarships and financial aid is crucial. The University of Washington believes students from all economic backgrounds should have the opportunity to attend. Finances should not be a barrier to getting a world-class education. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the resources available to help students finance their education at UW Bothell.

Understanding Financial Aid Options

The UW Office of Student Financial Aid offers a variety of merit- and need-based scholarships for domestic students. These scholarships award service work, research, music, athletics and a variety of academic pursuits. There are many sources of information for scholarships and other funding opportunities. Each student must research the scholarships available and find those that best match their skills, experience, interests and goals. As you begin your search for funding to pay for your education, keep in mind that there are many resources that provide information about scholarships and other academic awards. Each student must research the scholarships available and find those that best match their skills, experience, interests, and goals.

Federal Aid

If you are a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen, then you can submit the FAFSA form and be considered for federal aid.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): The FAFSA is a crucial first step for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens (Permanent Residents) seeking federal financial aid. The 2025-2026 FAFSA is an online application and is currently available.

State Aid

WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid): Non-U.S. citizens who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA may be able to apply for state or institutional aid by submitting the WASFA form. The Washington Application for State Financial Aid is available to students who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA. The 2025-2026 WASFA is also an online application and is currently Available Now.

You can still submit your 2025-2026 application even though it’s after the priority application date of February 28th.

Scholarship Search Strategies

Each student must research the scholarships available and find those that best match their skills, experience, interests, and goals. To be eligible for consideration, students must be admitted to the UW for autumn quarter of the academic year and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) by the priority filing date of February 28.

Scholarships at UW Bothell

Each year UW Bothell offers general scholarships graciously endowed from individuals, organizations, UW Bothell alumni, businesses, and associations. The UW offers scholarships in everything from academic pursuits and research activities to community service and musical talents.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit scholarships, fellowships and awards are based on your future potential as demonstrated by your past achievements. The selection process takes into account your academic achievements, leadership accomplishments and community involvement, and the awards sometimes include an internship or other service commitment.

Scholarships for Washington Residents

Academic Scholarships are available to undergraduates who are Washington state residents. Academic Scholarships from the UW Office of Student Financial Aid are awarded to a limited number of undergraduate students who are legal residents of Washington state. Approximately 600 awards from privately donated funds are given each year to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and financial need. UW Undergraduate Academic Excellence Awards are awarded to approximately 100 incoming first-year students who are residents of Washington State. No advance application is required for these awards except for the FAFSA which must be filed by February 28. If you are considered for a scholarship, we may request additional information.

Presidential Scholarship: The Presidential Scholarship is a $10,000 award given to selected Washington residents who show exceptional leadership, community engagement and promise. It is renewable for up to four years.
Costco Scholarship for First-Year: The Costco Scholarship for First-Year is privately supported by the generous contributions of many individuals, organizations and local businesses, including Costco and Boeing. To be considered, students are encouraged to file the FAFSA/WASFA as soon after October 1 as possible, but before February 28. Students whose admission applications indicate that they may meet the scholarship criteria will be reviewed automatically - no additional application is needed.

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Martin Family Foundation Scholarships: The Martin Family Foundation supports the Martin Achievement Scholarship and the Martin Family Foundation Honors Scholarship. Both are designed to enable exceptional students of Washington community colleges to complete their bachelor’s degrees on the UW’s Seattle campus.

Scholarships for Non-Residents

The UW offers scholarship programs awarded through the UW Honors Program, Washington NASA Space Grant and many of our academic departments for freshmen (including non-resident students). Some of these scholarships are not need-based and do not require filing the FAFSA. Please note that the UW Honors Program and the Washington NASA Space Grant Program also require an application to be admitted into the program. Please visit the following web sites for more information.

Purple and Gold Scholarship: non-resident applicants are automatically considered for the Purple and Gold Scholarship based on their admission application. No other application, including the FAFSA, is required. This scholarship is for (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees and undocumented residents) who are not residents of Washington state and who will attend the UW Seattle campus. It assumes that recipients are not, nor will become, residents of the state of Washington during the next four academic years. Selection, by the Office of Admissions, is predominately academic, but also incorporates activities, achievements, leadership and socio-economic factors. The scholarship, which is not need-based, is renewable for four years as long as the recipient maintains good academic standing.
Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium: Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium prepares students for the workforce of tomorrow through hands-on education and research, offering scholarships, fellowships, research internships and more to selected students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics throughout the state of Washington. There is no service obligation to apply for the scholarship.

Program-Specific Scholarships

Hugh A. Scholarship: Scholarship for juniors attending the University of Washington who have been accepted into the Olympia State Legislative Intern Program or the Washington Center Intern Program. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and an interest in public service. Due date may vary.

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Annual international study/travel fellowships: Annual international study/travel fellowships for juniors or seniors attending the University of Washington who are University Honors Program members (including College and Departmental Honors students). Selection based on academic achievement, and extracurricular activites which show initiative and commitment to the student's area of interest as well as integrity, strong ethical character, intelligence, the capacity for vision and leadership, and potential for humane, effective participation in the world community. Contact University Honors Program for more information and/or application.
Scholarship for undergraduate students who are attending the University of Washington who are majoring in History: Scholarship for undergraduate students who are attending the University of Washington who are majoring in History. Selection based on research paper or project on a topic of the history of African Americans in the American West (North Dakota to Texas and west to the Pacific Ocean including Alaska and Hawaii) from 1528 to the present. Number of awards may vary.
Annual fellowship for undergraduate students attending the University of Washington who are enrolled in the College of Education: Annual fellowship for undergraduate students attending the University of Washington who are enrolled in the College of Education and are admitted to the M.I.T. Program or the SpedTep Program. Applicants must show financial need with a completed FAFSA on file. Student must submit a statement outlining professional goals and motivation to become an educator, and letters of recommendation. Deadlines and award amounts may vary.
Scholarship for undergraduate students attending the University of Washington who are majoring in Fisheries: Scholarship for undergraduate students attending the University of Washington who are majoring in Fisheries. Selection based on merit, superior scholarship, and potential. Due date, award amount and number of awards varies.
Scholarship for seniors attending the University of Washington who are majoring in Microbiology: Scholarship for seniors attending the University of Washington who are majoring in Microbiology. Selection based on academic merit. Award amount may vary. Nonrenewable.
Alice Lloyd Diers & William E. Scholarship: Scholarship for undergraduate students attending Washington State University who are majoring in Microbiology. Selection based on academic achievement and potential. Deadlines and award amounts may vary. Contact the College of Sciences for more information.
Scholarship for undergraduate students attending Washington State University who are majoring in Home Economics: Scholarship for undergraduate students attending Washington State University who are majoring in Home Economics. Selection based on GPA, SAT score, an essay, leadership abilities, and potential. Award amounts range from $100-$4,000. Number of awards may vary. Contact the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences for more information.

Other Scholarships

Scholarship for international students with non-immigrant status who are undergraduate or graduate students attending Western Washington University: Scholarship for international students with non-immigrant status who are undergraduate or graduate students attending Western Washington University. Applicants must have completed a minimum of one quarter at WWU. Selection is based on academic achievement, community and campus activities and financial need. Number of awards may vary.
Scholarship for Hispanic, incoming freshmen enrolling at Washington State University who were graduates of a Hispanic Academic Achievers Program (HAAP) school: Scholarship for Hispanic, incoming freshmen enrolling at Washington State University who were graduates of a Hispanic Academic Achievers Program (HAAP) school. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA. Number of awards may vary. Renewable.
Scholarship for undergraduate students (freshmen ineligible) attending Whitworth University: Scholarship for undergraduate students (freshmen ineligible) attending Whitworth University. Applicants must have a minimum 2.75 GPA. Due date and number of awards may vary. Nonrenewable.
Scholarship for minority graduate students attending Washington State University who are majoring in Sociology: Scholarship for minority graduate students attending Washington State University who are majoring in Sociology. Applicants must be in good academic standing and have financial need. Due the first Monday in March. Award amount and number of awards may vary. Contact the Sociology Department for more information.
Scholarship for undergraduate students attending Western Washington University enrolled in the Political Science Department: Scholarship for undergraduate students attending Western Washington University enrolled in the Political Science Department. Selection is based on meritorious scholarship and financial need. Number of awards and award amount may vary. Contact the Political Science Department for more information and/or application.
Scholarship for incoming freshmen accepted to Seattle University full-time: Scholarship for incoming freshmen accepted to Seattle University full-time. Selection is is based on exceptional academic ability. Applicants must file a FAFSA by February 1st to be eligible for SU's awards. Number of awards varies. Renewable.
Scholarship for transfer students attending Seattle University full-time: Scholarship for transfer students attending Seattle University full-time. Selection is based on prior collegiate academic performance. Award is available to transfer students entering in the fall quarter. Submit ACT/SAT scores, recommendations, essay, work history, academic honors received, and a list of extracurricular activities with application packet. Award amount varies. Renewable.

Disbursement of Aid

Certain conditions must be met in order to allow funds to disburse. You must have satisfied all of the paperwork needed, all corresponding holds must be removed, and you must be enrolled for the number of credits your aid is set up for. You need to register for full time credits if your aid is offered to you as a full time student (12 credits for undergraduates, 5th years and professional students, or 10 credits for graduate students). We begin disbursing aid a few days before the start of each quarter. If you have signed up for direct deposit, and all of the above criteria has been met, funds should arrive in your bank account by the first day of the quarter. Please bear in mind that it takes approximately 2-3 business days for the direct deposit to arrive in your personal bank account after aid has disbursed to your student account to pay tuition and fees. Your grants and loans will come in about two business days before the start of each quarter and pay toward your tuition and fees (generally, your residence hall too, if you are in a residence hall and you requested on your forms that you want financial aid to pay). Holds prevent aid from disbursing to you for a variety of reasons. Usually, holds are placed because we are missing requested documentation, or you may not have completed enough credits in the previous quarter or prior academic year. There is information about the type of holds on your MyUW account under financial aid status and you are welcome to contact us with any remaining questions about how to resolve the hold(s) on your aid.

Winter quarter aid will disburse to students’ accounts beginning on December 31st-remember the January 1st holiday. Please note that institutional grants (e.g.

Important Considerations

Deadlines: Pay close attention to deadlines for FAFSA/WASFA and individual scholarship applications. The priority filing date for FAFSA/WASFA is February 28.
Full-Time Enrollment: To receive aid as a full-time student, undergraduates, 5th years, and professional students must register for 12 credits, while graduate students must register for 10 credits.
Holds: Check your MyUW account regularly for any holds that may prevent aid disbursement and resolve them promptly.
Direct Deposit: Sign up for direct deposit to ensure timely arrival of funds in your bank account.
International Students: The UW does not provide financial aid or scholarships to undergraduate international students. Not sure if you’re an international student? Financing your UW education is an important consideration faced by both domestic and international students. There may be funding support offered by your own government, or by other organizations, corporations or institutions.
Changes to Federal Loan Programs: If you are planning to utilize federal loans to finance your education, be sure to review any updates to the Graduate PLUS Loan program and lending limits for Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

Resources and Support

UW Office of Student Financial Aid: This office works with students who are currently enrolled at the University of Washington. Limited information is available for prospective incoming students.
Student Services Desk: A representative is available at our Student Services Desk. Most of your financial aid questions can be answered at the Student Services Desk by our Support Services supervisor. A financial aid counselor is on site daily if needed. DaysTimeMonday - Friday9 AM to 4 PMSummit Hall-001; Questions?
Financial Aid Application Assistance: Need help writing your personal statement or resume for scholarship applications?
Federal School Code: Be sure to include our federal school code below. The federal school code is shared by all three UW campuses.
Contacting the Financial Aid Office: There are multiple ways you can get in touch with us. More answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

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