Students gathering in front of the North Entrance of the Cascade Building

Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to pay for your education or technical training. New scholarships are announced throughout the year, so it's good to check back to this page frequently for information on the latest opportunities, as well as links to application information and other details.

Pierce College Foundation

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 page.

Applying for a Scholarship

Scholarships are awarded twice per year: once for Winter and Spring quarters and again for Summer or Fall quarter. Continue to check this website for updates on the deadlines for future scholarship applications, in the meantime here are steps you can take to prepare your application materials:

  1. Identify a reference to write a letter of recommendation. This person should be a teacher, instructor, supervisor or someone who knows you in a professional capacity.
  2. Organize your thoughts on why you should receive funds from the Foundation. The application process will require you to either write an essay or answer a series of short answer questions. Here are some questions to be thinking about in preparation for your scholarship application:
    1. What are your educational goals at Pierce College? Where do you see yourself after Pierce College?
    2. How will a scholarship/grant impact your educational goals at Pierce College?
    3. What makes you an excellent candidate for a Foundation scholarship/grant?
    4. Know where and how to get unofficial copies of your transcripts, these are an application requirement.

Complete your FAFSA

A FAFSA application must be on file with Pierce College Financial Aid 30 days before submitting your application.

Military Student Scholarships

Horst and Carol Marschall Scholarship

When Horst Marschall (long-time Executive Director of Pierce College at JBLM) retired, faculty and staff at Pierce College funded a scholarship in recognition of his leadership, vision and support for staff, faculty and students at JBLM. This scholarship is currently for active duty members (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and active duty Reserves) and family members enrolled in a class at Pierce College during the quarter applying. To request an application, please send an email to JBLM@pierce.ctc.edu.

View the application for the scholarship.

Jennifer Jamison Textbook Scholarship

The Jennifer Jamison Textbook Scholarship provides $204 for textbooks for military-affiliated students at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Application is open to veterans, active duty military personnel and their family members, with preference going to those who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Qualified applicants must be enrolled in at least 10 credits at Pierce College and have a minimum 3.3 GPA at the time of application. Funds will be made available to winners for winter quarter and spring quarter.

 

Transfer Scholarships for Exceptional Students

Next Step Scholarship

  • Open to: Pierce College Students (Puyallup and Fort Steilacoom) transferring to UW-T – having completed an AA no earlier than September 1.
  • Award: Up to $6,000 per year for two years.
  • Requirements: Minimum GPA 3.5, permanent Washington State resident, two faculty/instructor references, and transcripts from all higher education institutes.

Three applicants will be nominated by each college president and forwarded to the UW-T Scholarship Selection Committee. One recipient from each college will be announced.

Application Materials are Available Here

Barry Goldwater Scholarship

The scholarship deadline has passed. The application typically is available in January each year. Please see the Barry Goldwater Scholarship website for more information. This is a national scholarship, not a Pierce College Foundation scholarship. 

  • Scholarship Amount: Awarded up to $7,500 per year, for up to two years

We are searching for students with strong commitment to a career in research in mathematics, the natural sciences, medicine, or engineering.

View the application for the scholarship.

Morris K. Udall Scholarship

  • Scholarship Amount: Awarded up to $5,000

College sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to American Indian nations or to the environment.

View the application for the scholarship.

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) supports low- and middle-income students pursuing eligible high-demand majors in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) or health care and encourages recipients to work in Washington State once they complete their degrees.

The amount of funding that selected students will be eligible to receive each year will vary based on the number of credits they have completed.

  • Annual award amount: $2,500 - $7,500 depending on class standing
  • Renewable for up to five years based on credits completed and continued eligibility
  • Recipients receive access to additional workshops, events and exclusive support programs

View the website for the scholarship.

Leadership 1000 Scholarship

The Leadership 1000 Scholarship is designated for students who will be attending an eligible four-year college or university in Washington State.

  • Annual awards range from $2,500-$5,000.
  • Some scholarships are renewable for up to four years.
  • Approximately 60 applicants selected.

Applications can be found at the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Website.

Bill Stoner Endowment Scholarships

Four Bill Stoner Endowment Scholarships will be awarded to assist recipients in reaching their educational and career goals.  The $1,250 awards are paid directly to the recipient's college or university to be used toward tuition or books.

  • Scholarship Amount: $1,250

Scholarship Criteria:

  • Adult learner attending Pierce College
    OR homeschooled resident of Puyallup or Sumner
    OR PHS, RHS, ERHS, WHS, SHS or BLHS graduating senior.
  • Attending an accredited two or four year college or university (adult learners must be attending Pierce College).
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher (n/a for adult learners).
  • Demonstrated financial need.

Include the Bill Stoner Endowment Scholarship Application form and the following:

  • Unofficial transcripts (high school or most recent two years of schooling).
  • Two letters of recommendation – one from a scholastic contact, one from a community contact. Both letters should include contact information and must have been written within the last 12 months.

Download the Application

The community scholarships mentioned on this page are not affiliated with the Pierce College Foundation and are posted here as a resource for students seeking additional funding. If you have any questions about these aforementioned scholarships, please consult the corresponding websites, Pierce College Foundation or Financial Aid staff do not have any additional information regarding these scholarships.