WWIN Star Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Washington Women In Need

Description

The WWIN Star Scholar is a need‑focused scholarship program for people who identify as women and are pursuing their first postsecondary credential at an approved Washington college or university. The award supports college access and completion by helping cover cost of attendance gaps. Selection emphasizes applicants’ educational and career goals and how those goals align with WWIN’s mission.

Key takeaways
- Scholarship for people who identify as women pursuing their first postsecondary credential.
- Intended to reduce unmet financial need toward cost of attendance.
- Selection is mission‑driven and applicant narratives are important.

Eligibility

**Who may apply**
Applicants must meet a set of identity, residency, age, immigration, academic, and financial criteria to be considered.

**Specific eligibility criteria**
- Identify as a woman.
- Washington state resident for at least the previous 12 months.
- Be 18 years old or older by September 1, 2026.
- Hold one of these U.S. statuses: citizen, permanent resident (Green Card), refugee, asylee, or current DACA recipient.
- Admitted to or enrolled at an eligible Washington institution that participates in state financial aid.
- Pursuing an associate degree, bachelor’s degree (first), certificate, or technical degree.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Demonstrate unmet financial need for the 2026–2027 cost of attendance.
- Have submitted the 2026–2027 FAFSA or WASFA and received the Submission Summary with Student Aid Index (SAI).

Key takeaways
- Multiple identity, residency, academic, and financial criteria must all be met.
- Must be enrolled at an approved Washington institution participating in state financial aid.
- FAFSA/WASFA Submission Summary with SAI is required before application can be considered.

Award value

**Annual and lifetime limits**
Awards are provided on an academic‑year basis and have both an annual maximum and an aggregate cap.

- Up to $5,000 per academic year.
- Renewable each year until the recipient completes a first bachelor’s degree or until a maximum aggregate of $20,000 is reached.

Key takeaways
- Maximum $5,000 per year.
- Renewable up to a $20,000 lifetime cap or until first bachelor’s degree completed.

Selection process

**How applications are evaluated**
Selection is competitive; each application is read by multiple reviewers who assess alignment with WWIN’s vision and values. Reviewers place primary weight on the applicant’s narrative responses describing their education and career goals. Responses are evaluated for content and alignment rather than writing mechanics; applicants are encouraged to be honest and thorough.

Key takeaways
- Competitive review with multiple readers per application.
- Narrative responses are the primary basis for selection.
- Clarity and honesty in narratives matter more than grammar or writing style.

Application requirements & submission

**How to apply**
Applications must be completed online; emailed, faxed, or mailed forms are not accepted. WWIN requires a complete application and supporting documentation by the program deadline for the application to be considered.

**Required supporting documents**
- Valid Washington State driver’s license or Washington State ID.
- Social Security Card or Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) — partial masking of numbers is allowed for privacy.
- 2026–2027 FAFSA or WASFA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index (SAI).
- Most recent IRS Form 1040 tax return or Verification of Non‑filing Letter (2024 or 2025 accepted). If claimed as a dependent, the filer’s return is required.
- Verification of enrollment or acceptance at an approved Washington college/university.
- Most recent unofficial transcript (high school or college).
- Official 2026–2027 Financial Aid Award Letter from the school you will attend — this is the only document that may be submitted after the application deadline; your application will not be considered until it is received.

**Incomplete applications**
Applications lacking required documentation will not be considered. Alternate documents are generally not accepted without explicit program approval.

Key takeaways
- Online application plus a specific set of documents is required.
- Award letter can be submitted after the deadline, but the application will be held until it arrives.
- Incomplete or incorrect documentation will disqualify the application unless pre‑approved by program staff.

Application timeline

**Deadlines and timing**
The application cycle is time‑sensitive and adheres strictly to published deadlines. For the 2025–2026 academic year, the application closed in April 2025; late submissions are not accepted.

Key takeaways
- Adhere to published application deadlines; late applications are not permitted.
- Confirm the current cycle’s deadline on the program website before applying.
- Allow time to obtain required documents (FAFSA/WASFA Submission Summary, tax records, transcripts).

Accessibility and contact

**Reasonable accommodations**
WWIN is committed to accessibility. Applicants who need special accommodations during the application process should contact the programs staff to arrange support.

Key takeaways
- Accommodation requests are supported; contact programs staff for assistance.
- Reach out early to ensure needs can be met before deadlines.
- Program staff can clarify documentation questions and exception procedures.

History of the award

No historical background or founding details for the WWIN Star Scholar program were provided in the source material. For historical context, program origins, or impact statistics, contact WWIN directly or consult official WWIN publications.

Key takeaways
- Historical details were not available in the provided information.
- Contact WWIN for origin, timeline, and impact data.
- Official WWIN resources are the authoritative source for program history.