FAQs about Seattle Foundation Scholarships

See our current opportunities here:

Current opportunities

When can I apply for scholarships?

Most of our scholarships launch in late November and close mid- February the following year. The earlier you submit your application, the better. Please note that each scholarship has a specific deadline and eligibility requirements. We encourage you to carefully read the requirements of each scholarship. 

How do I apply for a scholarship?

Most of our scholarships can be applied online through the Seattle Foundation online portal or Scholarship America. Please check our scholarship pages for links to the online applications. 

I am having trouble viewing scholarships on the portal.

Make sure that you have created an account, if you have an existing account, make sure you are logged in. If you are still experiencing issues, contact [email protected] 

I am unable to submit my scholarship application.

Double check that every section is filled out. Scroll up on each page to ensure that you did not miss a section.  

When will I know if I’ve received a scholarship?

Review committees typically take about 8 weeks after a scholarship deadline to announce scholarship winners. You will be notified via email about award decisions in April/May. 

If I cannot find any scholarships that I’m eligible for, where else can I look?

If you cannot find a scholarship offered at Seattle Foundation, here are other resources we recommend: 

Finally, remember to talk to your high school and prospective college, they may be able to help you find some funding. More places to look include the following: 

  • Businesses, big and small 
  • Civic and community organizations (like Rotary clubs) 
  • Employers 
  • Ethnic and cultural organizations 
  • High school counseling offices 
  • Local governments 
  • Military associations 
  • Political parties and politicians 
  • Professional or trade organizations 
  • Religious organizations 

Other Scholarship Resources and Support:

I am a donor who would like to set up a scholarship fund with Seattle Foundation. Is that possible?

Yes. It is possible to establish new scholarship funds, but all future scholarships must align with our mission and support the Blueprint for Impact framework. New scholarships must also meet specific operational requirements (e.g. minimum size of awards, web-based application, etc.). Please contact the Philanthropic Services team at [email protected] or 206.515.2111 for more information.

I was notified I won a scholarship. What are the next steps?

Congratulations! Seattle Foundation will send you award paperwork to complete from our platform, DocuSign, via email. Please check your spam/junk folder if you have not received it. The deadline to accept a scholarship award is July 15. Notice for award deferral is September 1.

I am being asked to provide an “unofficial transcript.” Which transcript am I required to provide?

If you are a graduating high school senior, the transcript in question is the final copy of your complete high school transcript. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student, the transcript in question is the most recently completed academic semester or quarter in your current course of studies.

What is a deferral?

A deferral is a request to postpone claiming scholarship funds. Deferral paperwork must be completed by September 1. Deferral is on a case-by-case basis and will need to be approved by the scholarship committee. The maximum time allotted to defer is one school year.

Can my scholarship funds be sent directly to me?

Seattle Foundation cannot send checks directly to scholarship recipients. All scholarship funds must be sent to the student’s institution where financial aid can release funds into student accounts. Here are other options:

  • Deferral of the award for a term or year (if a student has other awards that year, this allows them to use their scholarship in the future).
  • Breaking the award into 2 smaller distributions during the year rather than paying as a lump sum.

Questions?

If you have additional questions about scholarships, please email [email protected].