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Pierce College scholarships

This page is no longer being updated. Please see the scholarships site for current information.

The Pierce College Foundation administers private scholarships for Pierce College students. These scholarships are awarded based on need, academic ability, artisitic talent, vocational goals, and/or other factors. Below is a partial list of available scholarships. Information on newly funded scholarships will be posted in the Financial Aid office.

For more information about any of the scholarships, contact Paula Henson, District Scholarship Program Administrator, (253) 964-6550.

The Pierce College Foundation acquires private funding for the college, provides enhancements to college programs, improves access for students, and promotes the college to the community.

For more information about the Pierce College Foundation, visit the Foundation Web site.

  • Art Scholarships: Amounts vary. Faculty-funded scholarships awarded annually to second-year art students based on the recommendation of department. Contact the art department.
  • Athletic Scholarships: Quarterly awards up to $200. Awarded to student athletes based on financial need and coach's recommendation. Pierce College offers men's athletic programs in soccer, basketball and baseball; women's programs in basketball, volleyball and fast-pitch softball. Contact athletic programs at Fort Steilacoom.
  • Boeing: Two annual awards of $1,500 each to students pursuing degrees in business management, manufacturing technology, engineering technology, electronics, or information technology. Must be a U.S. citizen. Funded by the Boeing Company.
  • Business and Professional Women of Puyallup Scholarship: Annual award of $500. Criteria: Puyallup resident in the second year of an accounting or business-studies program at Pierce College. Funded by the Puyallup Business and Professional Women’s organization.
  • Foundation Scholars: Quarterly and annual awards. Preference given to single parents, adults returning to school, first-generation college students, and/or students whose families do not qualify for financial aid. Funded by the annual Pierce College Foundation golf tournament. (Up to 40 scholarships per year.)
  • Fuchs Foundation: Quarterly and annual awards. Based on financial need, scholastic achievement and written essay. Must be Pierce County resident. Funded by the Fuchs Foundation. (More than 40 scholarships per year.)
  • Harborstone Credit Union: One $500 award annually to a student based on academic standing, financial need, involvement in community service activities and a history of employment. Funded by Harborstone Credit Union.
  • Intel: Awards are funded by Intel Foundation for Manufacturing Scholarships for students enrolled in electronic engineering technology programs. Awards are funded by Intel, DuPont for students majoring in math and/or science. Amounts vary. Available to incoming as well as currently enrolled students. Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
  • Lora Kerns Scholarship: Annual award of $400. Awarded by the veterinary technology department to the outstanding student currently enrolled in the program. Funded by family and friends of Lora Kerns.
  • Kilworth Scholarships: Annual awards of $500. Awarded to students who have graduated from a Pierce County high school within the past two years, based on community involvement and academic achievement in high school or college. Funded by the William W. Kilworth Charitable Foundation. (Eight scholarships per year.)
  • Koopmans Endowed Scholarship: One $550 award annually to an outstanding student in the early childhood education program who is enrolled in the ECE 210/220 nursery school practicum. Preference given to students who have financial need, involvement in community service activities and work history with children and families. Funded by the family and friends of Grace Koopmans, founder of the ECE program at Pierce College.
  • Lakewood Chamber of Commerce: One $600 award annually. Awarded to a currently enrolled business student based on business faculty recommendations. Funded by Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and Pierce College Foundation.
  • Dale McGinnis Scholarship: Annual award of $500. Awarded to a Pierce College graduate who has enrolled in a four-year state university. Funded by donations from family and friends in honor of the late Dale McGinnis, an anthropology instructor at Pierce.
  • Music Scholarships: Amounts vary. Awarded annually by the music department to incoming and current Pierce College students based upon auditions. Funded by proceeds from Pierce College Presents and Jazz Expo. Contact the humanities division at (253) 964-6535.
  • Pierce County Retired Teachers Association Scholarship: Amounts vary. Awarded annually to a Pierce College student who will complete an AA Degree by summer and plans to complete training in teaching or related fields of work, and who has enrolled in a four-year Washington institution for fall quarter. The student must have financial need. Funded by the Washington State Retired Teachers Association Affiliate #27.
  • Pierce First!: Each year, Pierce College awards a full-year scholarship to one student from each of the 23 public high schools in its service area. These districts are: Bethel, Clover Park, Eatonville, Fife, Franklin Pierce, Orting, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Sumner, University Place and White River. The merit scholarship is based on academic achievement and demonstrated involvement in school and/or community activities.
  • Western Washington Fair Scholarship: Annual awards of $1,250 each. Awarded to students in the veterinary technology program based upon the recommendation of the department. One scholarship is awarded each year to a first-year student and one to a second-year student. Funded by the Puyallup Fair.