🎯 At UW, your student’s first-choice major is part of the money conversation
A few UW majors admit students straight out of high school, and the in-state versus out-of-state gap in the most popular one is enormous. These are UW’s own three-year average admit rates:
Path
Washington resident
Out-of-state
UW overall
47%
39%
Engineering (direct to college)
43%
37%
Computer science / computer engineering (direct to major)
30%
2%
Parent translation: computer science only counts if it’s listed as the first choice, and UW says students who miss direct admission are unlikely to get in later. For an out-of-state student set on CS, UW is a long shot at full out-of-state price, so build the college list with that in mind.
Husky Promise (need-based, WA) and Honors Undergraduate Scholar Award (WA Honors admits)
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA Only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at the University of Washington (Read This First)
Test scores won’t earn money here. UW’s readers never see SAT or ACT scores, and no admission scholarship uses them. A great score is not a merit strategy at UW.
Merit is thin. Washington students compete for one $10,000-a-year Presidential award. Out-of-state students are considered for Purple & Gold, and UW doesn’t publish what it pays.
UW’s big in-state program is need-based, and it stops at tuition. Husky Promise covers tuition and standard fees for Pell-eligible Washington residents. It does not touch the $18,858 housing and food line.
Out-of-state families get no state or UW grants and no WUE discount. Federal loans often fill most of the gap.
One application does double duty. The Nov 15 UW application (no early action, no early decision) is also how your student gets considered for Presidential, Purple & Gold, and every incoming Honors scholarship. There’s no second form.
File the FAFSA or WASFA by Jan 15. UW lists Jan 15 on its financial aid site and Feb 1 on other pages. Go with the earlier date and you’re covered either way.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. University of Washington is test-optional for admission.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: N/A; SAT: N/A.
Average net price? About $13,485/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
No broad regional reciprocity path.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Washington: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest University of Washington has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly
$600 to $1,600 more than the in-state total below.$1,300 to $3,200 more than the out-of-state total below.
In-State: billed cost per year
$32,264
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$13,406
Housing & meals (typical)
$18,858
Total billed cost
$32,264
Out-of-State: billed cost per year
$63,318
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$44,460
Housing & meals (typical)
$18,858
Total billed cost
$63,318
That is $31,054 more per year than Washington residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.
Average federal net price: $13,485 per year.
This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.
🏠 For Washington Families: What’s Left After Tuition Is Covered
Even with Husky Promise paying tuition, UW’s own 2026-27 budget leaves about $23,340 a year in non-tuition costs for a student living on or off campus (housing and food, books, transportation, personal expenses). A student living at home cuts that to roughly $10,640. That’s the number to plan around, and it’s where the Washington College Grant, the FAFSA-based UW scholarships, and outside awards do their work. UW also accepts Washington’s GET prepaid tuition plan.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at the University of Washington
Does the University of Washington participate in WUE?
No. UW Seattle is not part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange, so students from other Western states pay the full out-of-state rate. If WUE pricing is a must, look at other Washington public universities and check each school’s WUE list directly.
How much does UW cost for out-of-state students?
For 2026-27, out-of-state tuition is $44,460, and UW’s full budget for a student living on or off campus is about $67,800 a year. UW doesn’t give state or university grants to non-residents, so Purple & Gold, Honors awards, and outside scholarships are the main ways to bring that down.
Does the Husky Promise cover housing?
No. Husky Promise covers full-time tuition and standard fees only. Many Husky Promise students do get extra grants toward housing and books, but those aren’t guaranteed.
Can an out-of-state student switch to in-state tuition after freshman year?
Don’t count on it. UW describes Washington residency rules as complex and difficult to meet, and Purple & Gold recipients actually agree not to become Washington residents during the award.
Does UW’s Net Price Calculator include scholarships?
No. UW’s calculator estimates grants and other need-based aid only, and it’s built on the prior year’s numbers. Treat it as a floor for need-based aid, not a final price.
Can I use Washington GET or a 529 plan at UW?
Yes. UW accepts Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) plan. Student Fiscal Services can explain how GET units are applied to a bill.
Are UW Bothell and UW Tacoma cheaper?
Budgets there can differ because of fees and local living costs, and the Husky Promise applies at all three campuses. Note that some UW Seattle awards, like the Martin transfer scholarships and Purple & Gold, are Seattle-only.
Does UW give financial aid to international undergraduates?
No. UW does not offer financial aid or scholarships to undergraduate international students.
Aug 15: UW’s first-year application opens on the Common App.
Oct 1 onward: File the FAFSA or WASFA as early as you can.
Nov 15: UW application due. This is also your consideration for Presidential, Purple & Gold, and incoming Honors awards (the Honors essay is inside the same application).
Jan 15: FAFSA/WASFA priority date for Husky Promise and UW need-based scholarships (some UW pages say Feb 1).
Feb 25 / Feb 28: WSOS application closes / last day to file the FAFSA for the Costco Scholarship.
Mar 1 to 15: Admission decisions. Costco winners hear in late April or early May.
Parent rule of thumb: at UW, Nov 15 and Jan 15 are the only two dates that touch almost every dollar. Hit both and you’re in the running for everything.
Automatic Scholarships: University of Washington
Nothing below needs its own application. Husky Promise comes from the FAFSA or WASFA. Presidential (Washington residents) and Purple & Gold (out-of-state students) come from the UW admission application itself. There’s no GPA or test-score grid at UW. Both merit awards are picked in holistic review, and test scores are not considered.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Full TuitionAutomatic⚠ All Undergrad Onlygeographicneed based
Husky Promise
📅 Deadline: Jan 15 ✓ Renews (12 yrs)
Full Tuition
full_tuition
✔ Stackable
⚠ Need-based guarantee for Washington residents: full tuition and standard fees covered by grants.
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Federal Pell and the Washington College Grant are applied first, and UW fills any remaining tuition gap with its own grants. Husky Promise funds cannot exceed calculated financial need, and private outside scholarships can reduce them. UW says it uses private scholarships to replace loans first before cutting grant aid. Many Husky Promise students also receive additional grants toward housing and other costs.
💡
Strategic Detail
A guarantee, not a fixed-dollar award. For eligible Washington residents, UW promises that full-time tuition and standard fees will be covered by grants and scholarships at the Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma campuses for up to 12 quarters. If tuition goes up, the grant goes up with it. Housing, food, books, summer quarter, and course or lab fees are not covered.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Washington residents who meet Pell Grant eligibility (undocumented Washington residents can qualify without Pell), file the FAFSA or WASFA by the priority date, enroll full-time at 12 or more credits, are working on a first bachelor's degree, and keep satisfactory academic progress. In 2024-25, about 22% of in-state UW undergraduates were eligible.
Automatic
Presidential Scholar
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with need-based aid (including Husky Promise), departmental awards, and outside scholarships, as long as total aid stays within the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$10,000 per year for selected Washington residents who show exceptional leadership, community engagement, and promise. Renewable for up to four years. Every Washington applicant is considered automatically through the UW application.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Washington-resident first-year applicants whose files stand out for leadership and community impact, not just grades. Test scores play no part in UW admission scholarships.
Combines with federal aid and outside scholarships within the cost of attendance. UW does not give state or university grants to non-residents, so for most out-of-state families the rest of the package is federal loans and family resources.
💡
Strategic Detail
UW does not publish an amount; awards vary by recipient and last four years at the Seattle campus. Conditions: confirm enrollment by May 1, enroll full-time (12 or more credits for three quarters), keep good academic standing, and do not become a Washington resident during the award. It cannot be deferred, and UW Academy students are not eligible.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Non-Washington U.S. students (citizens, permanent residents, refugees, and undocumented residents) whose first-year applications stand out in UW's holistic review. Consideration is automatic with the UW application.
Data last verified Oct 7, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: “Automatic” at UW means automatic consideration, not a guaranteed award. Husky Promise is the exception: if your student meets the residency, Pell, and enrollment rules and files on time, tuition and standard fees are covered.
Automatic Scholarships: FAQs (University of Washington)
Who qualifies for the Husky Promise?
Washington residents who meet Pell Grant eligibility, file the FAFSA or WASFA by UW’s priority date, enroll full-time, and are working on a first bachelor’s degree. Undocumented Washington residents can qualify even without Pell. It lasts up to 12 quarters and doesn’t cover summer.
Can an outside scholarship shrink my student’s Husky Promise?
It can. Husky Promise can’t exceed calculated need, and private scholarships count. The good news: UW says it uses private scholarships to replace loans first before reducing grants, so for most families an outside award still helps.
How is the Presidential Scholarship decided?
Every Washington applicant is considered automatically. UW says it looks for exceptional leadership, community engagement, and promise. It’s $10,000 a year, renewable for up to four years, and there’s no published GPA cutoff.
How much is the Purple & Gold Scholarship?
UW doesn’t publish an amount; it varies by student. It lasts four years at the Seattle campus, requires confirming enrollment by May 1, can’t be deferred, and ends if the student becomes a Washington resident.
Will a high SAT or ACT score help my student get UW merit money?
No. UW says test scores are not required or considered for admission scholarships, and readers don’t see scores during review.
Do we need to fill out a separate scholarship application?
Not for these. Submit the UW application by Nov 15 and the FAFSA or WASFA by Jan 15. Department awards and outside scholarships (covered further down this page) do have their own applications.
UW does not run a big, essay-and-interview flagship scholarship for incoming first-years. The two competitive awards below are both tied to financial need: the Costco Scholarship (selected automatically from the UW application and FAFSA) and the statewide WSOS award for STEM and health care majors. UW’s biggest merit awards for top students live in the Honors Program, covered further down.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at UW?
Aid Type
Stacks?
UW Parent Translation
Husky Promise
It’s the base layer
Pell and the Washington College Grant go first, and UW fills the rest of tuition. Private scholarships can reduce it, but UW replaces loans first.
Presidential / Purple & Gold
Yes
Renewable for four years and combines with other aid, as long as the total stays under the cost of attendance.
Costco Scholarship
Yes
$10,000 a year on top of need-based grants. For a high-need family this can cover a big piece of housing.
WSOS
Applied last
WSOS goes on after all other aid. If other aid already covers the full cost of attendance, some of the WSOS money goes back.
Honors 4-year tuition award
Limited
Recipients can only win three other Honors awards later (Dillman, Gerberding, Wang). Need-based and department aid still apply.
If your student is hunting for the kind of big, interview-based merit packages some flagships use to recruit top students, UW isn’t that school. Here the real money comes from three places: need-based aid for Washington families, the Honors Program for students who get in, and department awards once students are in a major.
Automatic
Costco Scholarship for First-Year
📅 Deadline: Feb 28 · 📢 Results: Late April or early May ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Pell, the Washington College Grant, Husky Promise, and departmental awards, within the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
$10,000 per year for four years ($40,000 total), privately funded by Costco, Boeing, and other donors, for high-achieving, high-need first-year students from communities traditionally underserved in higher education. No separate application: applicants whose UW applications suggest they fit are reviewed automatically.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-need first-year students with strong academic records, often first-generation college students, youth in foster care, or students from historically underrepresented groups. Washington residency is one of the factors considered, and the FAFSA or WASFA must be filed before Feb 28.
Data last verified Oct 7, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
How does my student apply for the Costco Scholarship?
There’s no separate form. UW reviews applicants whose admission applications suggest they fit, so the key step is filing the FAFSA or WASFA before Feb 28. Winners are notified in late April or early May.
Who is the Costco Scholarship for?
High-achieving, high-need first-year students from communities that are underserved in higher education, such as first-generation students and youth in foster care. Washington residency is one of the factors UW considers. It pays $10,000 a year for four years.
When is the WSOS deadline?
For the 2027 cycle, the Baccalaureate Scholarship application opens Jan 13, 2027 and closes Feb 25, 2027 at 9 p.m. Pacific. The FAFSA or WASFA must be filed by Feb 25 too.
Can out-of-state students win a competitive UW scholarship?
Not from this list, since both are aimed at Washington students. Out-of-state students should focus on Purple & Gold, the Honors Achievement Award, and department awards.
Does UW interview scholarship finalists?
Not for incoming first-years. UW doesn’t do admission interviews or scholarship weekends. The Martin transfer scholarships, listed under Hidden Gems, are the exception.
What should my student focus on to compete for UW money?
The Common App personal essay and, for Honors applicants, the separate 450-word Honors essay. Those are what UW reads. Our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder can help.
UW’s admission scholarships are thin, but there’s real money one layer down. It just doesn’t come to you. Here’s the order to work it:
File the FAFSA or WASFA early. UW’s financial aid office gives out several hundred scholarships a year to Washington students with strong grades and need, with no separate application. Skip the FAFSA and your student is never considered.
Bookmark UW’s scholarship database. UW’s scholarship office keeps about 490 UW and outside awards in one searchable database, filterable by major, year, residency, and need.
Check the department the moment your student picks a major. Many UW awards only open up once a student is in a major, and some (like art and design) fund incoming students too.
Know the community college route. UW’s Martin scholarships pay Washington community college students to finish at UW Seattle.
Parent translation: at UW, admission is the start of the scholarship hunt, not the end of it.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These awards aren’t automatic and most families never hear about them. Most stack with UW aid, and several are open to students who didn’t win anything at admission.
Automaticgeographicneed based
UW Financial Aid Office Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Feb 1 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Washington residents with strong academics and financial need; FAFSA or WASFA required.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Part of the need-based package, so it works alongside Pell, the Washington College Grant, and Husky Promise within the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
UW's Financial Aid Scholarship Services office awards several hundred scholarships each year to Washington-resident undergraduates with outstanding academics and financial need. There is no separate application: admitted autumn students are considered automatically when they file the FAFSA or WASFA by the priority date, though some are asked for more information later.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Washington-resident admits with strong grades and real financial need who file the FAFSA or WASFA early. Families who skip the FAFSA are never considered.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Department and College Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Varies by department (many close in spring) ✓ Renews (3 GPA)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Usually stacks with Husky Promise, Presidential, Purple & Gold, and outside scholarships within the cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Declared majors apply through their department or college sites (often Jan–Mar) with short essays and sometimes faculty references
Selection criteria: Departmental criteria and student engagement
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
UW says many of its scholarships come through academic departments once students are enrolled, and some departments also fund incoming first-years, including non-residents. UW's scholarship office keeps a searchable database of about 490 UW and outside awards, filterable by major, year, residency, and need.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who are visibly engaged in their major and who actually check the database each quarter. Many awards get few applicants.
App Required⚠ Transfer Only
Martin Achievement Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Early April (2026 deadline was Apr 7; opens Feb 1) ✓ Renews (3 yrs)
$5,000–$12,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~3 to 4 winners/yr🎓 TransferWashington resident; currently at a Washington community college pursuing a first bachelor's degree; at least 15 transferable credits by the deadline; full-time at the community college the following year; planning to enter UW Seattle no sooner than the following summer. Running Start students are not eligible (they should look at the Martin Honors Scholarship). UW Bothell and Tacoma are not eligible.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Pell, the Washington College Grant, Husky Promise, and departmental awards within the cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Online application (opens Feb 1) with four short essays, transcripts, a resume or activities list, and one required recommendation letter (a second is optional). Finalists interview with the Martin Family Foundation Board in May.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
For Washington community college students identified early: $5,000 toward the final year of community college, then up to $12,000 per year for up to three years at UW Seattle after transfer. Apply a year or more before transferring. The award does not guarantee UW admission.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Community college students with clear academic and career direction, real service or leadership (family responsibilities count), and strong recommendation letters.
App Required⚠ Transfer Only
Martin Family Foundation Honors Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Jul 1 ✓ Renews (3 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 TransferWashington resident; at least 36 credits from a Washington community college by the time you start at UW Seattle; Running Start students are eligible if all requirements are met. UW Bothell and Tacoma are not eligible.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Pell, the Washington College Grant, Husky Promise, and departmental awards within the cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
WA community college students apply directly to the Martin Family Foundation Honors Scholarship through the UW Expo portal. The application includes transcripts, essays, and recommendations; competitive finalists may interview. Funding starts after transfer to UW Seattle.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
For Washington community college students who are transferring to UW Seattle, or who already transferred but have no more than 18 UW credits by the deadline. Renewable for up to three years of undergraduate support; the amount is set by the Martin Family Foundation. You can apply before your UW admission decision arrives, but the award depends on enrolling at UW Seattle.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Transfer students with strong character, a clear sense of purpose, and a record of leadership and service. Financial need may be considered but is not required.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlymajor specificneed based
School of Art + Art History + Design Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Incoming awards: after admission; continuing students: spring ✓ Renews (2.75 GPA)
$1,000–$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Major-specific awards for UW art, art history, and design students and incoming recruits.
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Department awards stack with Husky Promise, Purple & Gold, and other aid within the cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Declared Art, Art History, or Design majors submit portfolio, faculty recommendation, and departmental scholarship application in late winter
Selection criteria: Artistic merit and academic standing
💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
More than 30 scholarships a year at $1,000 to $5,000 for students in Art, Art History, and Design. Two are aimed at newcomers: the Crabby Beach Foundation and Kathryn Hinckley-Martin scholarships, $5,000 each, for entering first-years or transfers admitted for autumn who intend to major in art, art history, or design.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students committed to an art, art history, or design major with strong academics, and often financial need. Continuing art majors apply in spring with a portfolio.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Pride Foundation Scholarship
📅 Deadline: First Friday in January (application opens Oct 11) Non-Renewable
$500–$12,000
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Outside scholarship, so it stacks with UW aid within the cost of attendance. For Husky Promise students, UW uses private scholarships to replace loans first.
📄
How to Apply
LGBTQ+ students from the Pacific Northwest apply directly to the Pride Foundation with essays, references, and activity history
Selection criteria: Leadership, service, and alignment with Pride mission
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
An outside scholarship program for LGBTQ+ students from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. More than 50 named funds, one application. Awards range from about $500 to $12,000, and students can reapply each year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
LGBTQ+ students who are leaders in their families, schools, or communities, especially those facing financial hardship. No GPA or major requirement.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Husky Band Program Awards
📅 Deadline: Awarded at the end of each band year Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with UW aid within the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Husky Marching Band scholarships go only to members who have been in the band for at least one year. They are awarded at the end of the year based on marching skill, performance, and commitment. Band is open to students in any major.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Returning band members with strong performance and commitment. There is no scholarship audition for incoming students.
Data last verified Oct 7, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Money the college does not control. Federal programs, city promise funds, foundations, and employers. The college may help you apply, but someone else writes the check, and these almost always stack with the college's own awards.
Outside MoneyApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS)
📅 Deadline: Feb 25 ✓ Renews (2.75 GPA, 5 yrs)
$22,500
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.8+ GPA🎓 All UndergradWashington resident (undocumented applicants accepted); Washington high school credential by June of the application year; family income at or below 125% of Washington median family income; 2.75 cumulative GPA; plan to enroll in an eligible STEM or health care major.
✚
Stacking & Combining
WSOS money is applied after all other aid, such as Pell and the Washington College Grant. If other aid already covers the cost of attendance, some or all of the WSOS award goes back to WSOS.
📄
How to Apply
Apply directly through the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship website each year, submit income information, and designate UW (plus a qualifying STEM or healthcare major) as your intended institution.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
A statewide public-private scholarship, not run by UW, worth up to $22,500 for students in eligible STEM and health care majors at Washington colleges, including UW. It also comes with mentoring and career support. For the 2027 cycle, the application opens Jan 13, 2027 and closes Feb 25, 2027 at 9 p.m. Pacific, and the FAFSA or WASFA must be filed by Feb 25.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Income-eligible Washington students headed into STEM or health care majors who apply on time and write honest short essays (150 to 500 words, no references needed).
Outside MoneyApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium
📅 Deadline: Varies by program Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with UW aid within the cost of attendance and counts toward the total aid package.
📄
How to Apply
Apply directly through the WA NASA Space Grant Consortium opportunities portal. Application requirements vary by program, scholarship, fellowship, and research internship tracks all have their own application materials and deadlines.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
A statewide consortium administered by UW that offers scholarships, fellowships, research internships, and more to STEM students across Washington. Amounts and terms vary by program.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
STEM students with strong records and a real interest in space, aerospace, or NASA-related research.
Data last verified Oct 7, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
Does UW have scholarships for community college transfers?
Yes, and they’re some of UW’s best. The Martin Achievement Scholarship pays $5,000 toward the last year of community college, then up to $12,000 a year for up to three years at UW Seattle. The Martin Honors Scholarship is for students who are transferring now. Both are for Washington residents.
Can Running Start students get a Martin scholarship?
Not the Achievement Scholarship, but Running Start students can apply for the Martin Honors Scholarship if they meet the requirements, including 36 Washington community college credits by the time they start at UW.
Are there scholarships for art and design students?
Yes. UW’s School of Art + Art History + Design gives out more than 30 scholarships a year at $1,000 to $5,000, including two $5,000 awards for incoming students who plan to major in art, art history, or design.
Does joining the Husky Marching Band come with a scholarship?
Eventually. Band scholarships only go to members with at least one year in the band, and they’re awarded at the end of the year. There’s no scholarship audition for incoming students.
Will an outside scholarship reduce my student’s UW aid?
It can count toward need, but UW says private scholarships replace loans first before grants are cut. Report outside awards to UW’s financial aid office so there are no surprises.
Can current UW students still find scholarships?
Yes. Most department awards, the Honors current-student scholarships, and much of the database are aimed at students who are already enrolled. Many close in spring.
UW doesn’t have an “Honors College.” It has the University Honors Program, with two tracks: Interdisciplinary Honors, which students apply to as incoming first-years, and Departmental Honors, which happens later inside a major. For scholarship purposes, Interdisciplinary Honors is the one that matters, because it’s the doorway to UW’s largest merit awards.
How to apply: Inside the UW application, answer “Yes” to the Interdisciplinary Honors question. That opens a separate Honors essay (450 words max).
Deadline: Same as UW’s, Nov 15. Your student has to be admitted to UW first.
Test scores: They don’t help. UW says sending scores won’t give an advantage in Honors review.
Missed it? There’s a second-year admission route for students already at UW.
Honors Program Scholarships & Awards
Full TuitionAutomaticgeographic
Honors Undergraduate Scholar Award
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 ✓ Renews (3.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
tuition_discount
✔ Stackable
⚠ Washington residents admitted to Interdisciplinary Honors; four years of resident tuition waived.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Covers resident tuition only, so need-based grants and department awards can still help with housing and other costs. Recipients may only receive three other Honors awards later: the Dillman, the Gerberding, and the Wang.
💡
Strategic Detail
A four-year waiver of resident tuition (summer excluded) for a small number of first-year Interdisciplinary Honors students who are Washington residents. No separate scholarship application: admitted Honors students are considered automatically, and offers arrive with the Honors admission email. It cannot cover the U-Pass, summer tuition, or study abroad program fees.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Washington residents admitted to Interdisciplinary Honors who show real appetite for learning outside their comfort zone, care for their communities, and a clear fit with Honors values.
Automaticgeographic
Mary Gates Honors Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 ✓ Renews (2 yrs)
$12,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Washington residents admitted to Interdisciplinary Honors.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with need-based aid and department awards within the cost of attendance. Students who receive this as incoming first-years cannot later apply for the Mary Gates Achievement Scholarship.
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers about $12,000 per year of UW tuition for the first and second years, for first-year Interdisciplinary Honors students who are Washington residents, based on academic merit. No separate application; offers arrive with the Honors admission email. Amounts may change year to year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Washington-resident Honors admits with strong academics and real interest in interdisciplinary learning and community leadership.
Automaticgeographic
Honors Achievement Award (Non-Resident Tuition Waiver)
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Out-of-state U.S. students admitted to Interdisciplinary Honors.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with Purple & Gold and federal aid within the cost of attendance. One-time offer; the terms in the contract control.
💡
Strategic Detail
A partial waiver of non-resident tuition for a select group of incoming and continuing Interdisciplinary Honors students who are U.S. residents of states other than Washington. The amount and length (up to four years, summer excluded) are spelled out in the award offer. It cannot waive exchange, study abroad, or U-Pass fees.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Out-of-state Honors admits with strong academics and a clear fit with Honors values. This is the main merit lever for non-residents beyond Purple & Gold.
Automaticgeographic
Honors Undergraduate Scholar Award (Partial Resident Waiver)
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Washington residents in Interdisciplinary Honors; amount varies by year.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with need-based aid and department awards within the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Waives a portion of resident tuition for incoming or continuing Interdisciplinary Honors students who are Washington residents, depending on funding that year. The amount and length are set in the offer. Summer, U-Pass, and study abroad fees are not covered.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Washington-resident Honors students with strong academics and engagement, chosen from the Honors admission pool.
Automaticfirst genneed basedgeographic
Campbell Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 Non-Renewable
$6,000
✔ Stackable
⚠ First-generation Washington residents with financial need admitted to Interdisciplinary Honors.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with need-based aid within the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
A $6,000 one-year award for a first-year Interdisciplinary Honors student from Washington who shows high academic promise, has financial need, and is the first in their family to attend college. Named for Dr. Fred Campbell, a first-generation college student himself.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-generation, high-need Washington Honors admits with strong academic promise.
Automaticgeographicneed basedmajor specific
David and Mari Clack Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 Non-Renewable
$5,100
✔ Stackable
⚠ Spokane County residents with need, interested in an Arts & Sciences major, admitted to Interdisciplinary Honors.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with need-based aid within the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
A $5,100 one-year award for an incoming Interdisciplinary Honors student from Spokane County with demonstrated financial need and interest in a College of Arts & Sciences major.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: A Spokane County Honors admit with real financial need who plans to study in Arts & Sciences.
Automaticneed basedgeographic
Honors Undergraduate Equity Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 Non-Renewable
$4,200
✔ Stackable
⚠ Washington residents with financial need (FAFSA) admitted to Interdisciplinary Honors.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with need-based aid within the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
A $4,200 one-year award for incoming Honors scholars, funded through private gifts. Awards reflect academic merit, Washington residency, and financial need shown on the FAFSA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Washington Honors admits with strong academics and documented financial need who filed the FAFSA.
Automaticneed based
Lovsted Family Endowed Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ U.S. residents with financial need admitted to Interdisciplinary Honors; open to non-residents.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with other aid within the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded to an incoming Interdisciplinary Honors student with integrity, passion for study, financial need, a strong work ethic, and commitment to family and community. Open to U.S. residents, not just Washington residents. Amount varies by year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Hardworking Honors admits with financial need and strong family and community ties, including out-of-state students.
Automaticgeographicmajor specific
Betty Eberharter Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Washington residents in Interdisciplinary Honors who plan to study international studies.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with other aid within the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded to an incoming Interdisciplinary Honors student from Washington who intends to pursue international studies and is interested in peace and conflict resolution. Supports service and study abroad alongside Honors requirements. Amount varies by year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: A Washington Honors admit headed toward international studies with a real interest in peace and conflict resolution.
Automaticgeographic
Professor Roger and Jane Soder Equity Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 15 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Washington residents admitted to Interdisciplinary Honors as first- or second-years.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with other aid within the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Endowed support for outstanding first- or second-year admits to Interdisciplinary Honors who are Washington residents and show a demonstrated commitment to diversity and equity. Amount varies each year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Washington Honors admits, including second-year admits, with a track record of equity and community work.
App Required⚠ Sophomore Only
Mary Gates Achievement Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 7 · 📢 Results: June Non-Renewable
$12,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 Sophomore
✚
Stacking & Combining
Large one-time tuition scholarship that can be combined with other aid up to cost of attendance. Note that students who received a Mary Gates Endowment incoming-freshman award cannot apply for this version.
📄
How to Apply
Rising Interdisciplinary Honors sophomores apply via the Honors Program scholarship application during their first year. Application includes essays and evidence of academic achievement and leadership.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers $12,000 of in-state tuition for rising sophomores in Interdisciplinary Honors. WA residents only. Students who previously received a Mary Gates Endowment incoming award are not eligible.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Rising Interdisciplinary Honors sophomores who are Washington residents with outstanding academic records, leadership, and engagement during their first year at UW.
App Required⚠ Senior Only
Greene Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 7 · 📢 Results: June Non-Renewable
$10,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 Senior
✚
Stacking & Combining
Provides $10,000 of resident tuition support; can be combined with other aid up to cost of attendance. Funds can be used only for resident tuition.
📄
How to Apply
Rising or returning Honors seniors apply via the Honors Program scholarship application by April 7.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$10,000 award for rising or returning seniors in any Honors track. Washington residents only, funds may be used solely for resident tuition.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Washington-resident rising or returning seniors in any Honors track with strong academic performance, essentially a senior-year tuition cushion for top WA Honors students.
App Required⚠ Sophomore Only
Randolph Preston Pillow Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 7 · 📢 Results: June Non-Renewable
$6,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 Sophomore
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time award. Scholarship numbers and amounts may vary year to year; stackable with other Honors and institutional scholarships.
📄
How to Apply
Current Interdisciplinary Honors students and 2nd-year Interdisciplinary Honors admits apply via the Honors Program scholarship application by April 7.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$6,000 award for rising sophomores and second-year Interdisciplinary Honors admits. No residency or citizenship requirement.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Rising Interdisciplinary Honors sophomores and second-year Honors admits who demonstrate exceptional leadership, community awareness, and uncommon academic ability.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Wang Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 7 · 📢 Results: June Non-Renewable
$6,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time stipend. Stackable with other financial aid up to cost of attendance, and one of the three Honors awards still open to 4-year Honors Undergraduate Scholar recipients.
📄
How to Apply
Students in any Honors track apply via the Honors Program scholarship application by April 7.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$6,000 award open to students in any Honors track at any year level. No residency or citizenship requirement.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students from any year and track with strong academic performance and engagement. The most flexible Honors stipend on the menu, any year, any track.
App Required⚠ Senior Only
Gerberding Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 7 · 📢 Results: June Non-Renewable
$3,600
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 Senior
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time award distributed in Autumn quarter; stackable with other Honors awards including the 4-year Honors Undergraduate Scholar Award (this is one of the three named exceptions).
📄
How to Apply
Honors juniors (rising seniors) apply via the Honors Program scholarship application by April 7, describing their service and distinction within the Honors community.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,600 award distributed in Autumn quarter to a rising senior in any Honors track. Named for President Emeritus William P. Gerberding. No residency or citizenship requirement.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Rising Honors seniors who have rendered exemplary service or brought special distinction to the Honors community, the award explicitly rewards engagement and community contribution beyond grades.
App Required⚠ Junior Only
Everett Dillman Endowed Scholarship Fund
📅 Deadline: April 7 · 📢 Results: June Non-Renewable
$3,300
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 Junior
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time stipend distributed Autumn quarter. Stackable with other aid, and notably one of the three Honors awards still open to 4-year Honors Undergraduate Scholar recipients.
📄
How to Apply
Rising Honors juniors apply via the Honors Program scholarship application by April 7. Selection is based on academic merit.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,300 award distributed in its entirety in Autumn quarter to rising juniors in any Honors track. No residency or citizenship requirement.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Rising juniors in any Honors track with strong academic merit. The endowment was established for students who 'have ability but lack the funds,' so financial context can quietly matter even though the criterion is officially merit.
App Required⚠ Junior Only
Bordeaux Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 7 · 📢 Results: June Non-Renewable
$3,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 Junior
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time award paid in full in autumn quarter. Students holding the four-year Honors Undergraduate Scholar Award are not eligible for this one.
📄
How to Apply
Current Honors sophomores (rising juniors) submit the Honors Program scholarship application by April 7 at 4:00 pm through the Honors portal, including the scholarship-specific essay prompt.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,000 award distributed in its entirety in Autumn quarter for rising juniors in any Honors track. No residency or citizenship requirement.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Rising Honors juniors in any Honors track (Interdisciplinary, Departmental, or College Honors) with strong academic performance and meaningful engagement in the Honors community.
App Required⚠ Senior Only
Ran Hennes Honors Scholar
📅 Deadline: April 7 · 📢 Results: June Non-Renewable
$3,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 Senior
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time stipend that can be used alongside other Honors and institutional scholarships.
📄
How to Apply
Rising or returning College Honors seniors apply via the Honors Program scholarship application by April 7.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,000 award for rising or returning seniors active in College Honors. No residency or citizenship requirement.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
College Honors students with strong academics combined with visible service and engagement across the UW community, the award explicitly rewards students who 'show up' beyond the classroom.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Friedman-Hechter Endowed Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 7 · 📢 Results: June Non-Renewable
$1,200
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Travel-specific funding that layers nicely on top of tuition awards, study abroad scholarships, and other Honors stipends.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Honors Program scholarship application by April 7 along with a proposal describing the academically-related international travel experience you plan to fund.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,200 award distributed in Autumn quarter to support academically-related international travel. Open to students in any Honors track; preference for students with financial need.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students planning meaningful academically-related international travel, study abroad, fieldwork, conferences, who can articulate clear educational goals. Special consideration is given to students with financial need.
Data last verified Oct 7, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
*Honors awards and amounts depend on funding each year and can change. The award offer and contract a student receives are what count.*
How incoming Honors money works: There’s no scholarship application. Every admitted Interdisciplinary Honors student is considered automatically, and any offer arrives with the Honors admission email. UW Honors asks families not to email about scholarships. Current Honors students apply for the second group of awards each spring (the 2026 deadline was April 7), with winners notified in early June.
Out-of-State? Honors Is Your Best Merit Shot
Honors Achievement Award: A partial waiver of out-of-state tuition, for up to four years, for selected non-resident Honors students.
Lovsted Family Scholarship: Open to U.S. residents with financial need, not just Washington students.
Current-student awards: Most of the Bordeaux, Dillman, Gerberding, Wang, Pillow, and Ran Hennes awards have no residency requirement.
Honors Program: FAQs (University of Washington)
Is UW Honors admission automatic for high achievers?
No. Students opt in on the UW application and write a separate Honors essay. UW Honors looks for curiosity across subjects, community engagement, and a real interest in its interdisciplinary curriculum, not just grades.
What is the Honors Undergraduate Scholar Award?
It’s UW’s top incoming Honors award: four years of resident tuition waived for a small number of Washington-resident Honors students. Recipients are limited to three other Honors awards later on (Dillman, Gerberding, Wang).
What is the Mary Gates Honors Scholarship?
It covers about $12,000 a year of tuition for the first two years for Washington-resident Interdisciplinary Honors students, based on academic merit. It’s awarded with Honors admission, no application.
Can out-of-state students get Honors scholarships?
Yes. The Honors Achievement Award is a partial out-of-state tuition waiver, and many current-student Honors awards have no residency requirement.
Are there Honors awards for first-generation or high-need students?
Yes. The Campbell Scholarship ($6,000) is for first-generation Washington students with need, and the Honors Undergraduate Equity Scholarship ($4,200) is for Washington students with FAFSA-documented need.
The University of Washington is the state’s flagship and one of the country’s major public research universities, sitting between Lake Washington and Lake Union in a city full of tech, health care, and global companies. What makes it different for families is how tightly the big-name programs are tied to the moment of admission: several of the most popular majors decide who gets in on day one.
Nationally Known Program: Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering: one of the most respected computer science programs in the country, with Seattle’s tech employers practically next door. Most UW computer science and computer engineering grads were admitted directly as first-years, so this is a decision your student makes on the application, not later.
Engineering: Students admitted directly to the College of Engineering explore all engineering fields first, and those who meet the requirements are guaranteed a spot in an engineering major.
Nursing and health sciences: UW’s School of Nursing holds the No. 1 ranking among public schools offering a doctor of nursing practice degree, and its School of Public Health ranks among the nation’s top programs. Biology is one of UW’s biggest undergraduate pathways into health careers.
Foster School of Business: Admits first-years directly. Students who come in another way can apply later, but UW calls that path capacity-limited and not guaranteed.
Informatics and the Information School: A direct-admit major blending tech and information science, from a school that ranks first nationally in library and information studies at the graduate level.
Oceanography and international studies: UW’s location makes ocean science a hands-on field, and its international studies program draws students headed for policy, global business, and public service.
🔗 Official University of Washington Links
Use UW’s official pages below to double-check deadlines, scholarship rules, costs, and Honors details. When anything on this page and UW’s site disagree, UW’s site wins.
Big picture? UW is a world-class school that plays by different money rules than most flagships. It doesn’t buy top students with test-score scholarships. For Washington families, it guarantees tuition to those who need it most and fills in from there with need-based scholarships, Honors awards, and department money. For out-of-state families, the honest read is a full-price school unless your student lands Purple & Gold or a spot in Honors.
The playbook is simple: pick the first-choice major carefully, submit by Nov 15 (with the Honors essay if it fits), file the FAFSA by Jan 15, and once your student is on campus, start working the department awards and the scholarship database. If you live in Washington and the main campus feels out of reach, the community college route with a Martin scholarship is a real, proven path to a UW Seattle degree.
Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
Most families build a college list first and think about scholarships second, which is backwards. This free four-part series shows you where the money actually comes from, and how to build a list around it.
After the series, about once a month, sometimes twice during application season. No drip funnels, no affiliate pitches, and we never sell your information. Unsubscribe anytime.
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Written by Leo Dimilo
I started CollegeReadyParent while working through college costs for my own kid, and quickly figured out that the number a school advertises and the number a family actually pays are two very different things. Since then I’ve gone school by school pulling apart award letters, scholarship pages, and cost sheets to find what families are supposed to just know. This site is the version of that research I wish someone had handed me.
More about Leo →
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