Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for OC Foundation scholarships?
OC Foundation scholarships are open to students who have an OC student ID number and plan to attend Olympic College during the academic year the scholarships are awarded.
Running Start students in their junior year are not eligible. Running Start seniors who plan to continue their education at Olympic College after high school graduation may apply for scholarships awarded in the following academic year.
What kinds of scholarships are available?
There are dozens of scholarship opportunities with varying criteria. Some scholarships support specific areas of study such as nursing or STEM, while others are based on residency, academic achievement, leadership, volunteer service or financial need. Many scholarships do not have a GPA requirement.
How do I apply for scholarships?
OC Foundation scholarships are administered through AwardSpring. Visit olympic.awardspring.com to create an account using an email you check regularly.
You complete one online application, which automatically matches you with scholarships you qualify for. If you’ve applied before and need help accessing your account, you may reset your password or email foundation@olympic.edu.
I received a scholarship last year. Can I apply again?
Do I need to receive financial aid to qualify for scholarships?
Are international students eligible?
Yes. Many OC Foundation scholarships are open to international students.
Can I get help with my scholarship essays?
Yes. Students are encouraged to visit the OC Writing Center for help with essay responses.
Can I get help with my scholarship essays?
Yes. Students are encouraged to visit the OC Writing Center for help with essay responses.
How are applications reviewed?
Applications are reviewed using a standardized scoring rubric and a blind review process, meaning personal identifying information is removed.
Each application is reviewed by three individuals. Scores are averaged, and final selections are made by a committee of OC Foundation staff and volunteer board members based on scores and scholarship criteria.
How will I know if I’ve been awarded a scholarship?
Students will be notified by email using the address associated with their AwardSpring account. Be sure to check spam or junk folders.
If you are unsure about your application status, email foundation@olympic.edu.
Can scholarship funds be used for expenses other than tuition?
In many cases, yes. Some scholarships are tuition-only, but many allow remaining funds (after tuition and fees) to be used for education-related expenses such as housing, transportation, childcare, and books.
How are scholarship funds distributed?
Scholarships are disbursed through the OC Financial Aid Office and appear in your ctcLink account as part of your financial aid package.
How will scholarships affect my financial aid package?
Scholarships count toward your total cost of attendance. If combined aid exceeds this amount, scholarship funds may be adjusted.
How are scholarships split across quarters?
Scholarships are typically split evenly across fall, winter, and spring quarters.
Students enrolled in summer classes may request a revised disbursement schedule by emailing foundation@olympic.edu.
Can I use OC Foundation scholarships at another institution?
No. OC Foundation scholarships may only be used at Olympic College during the academic year they are awarded.
Tips for a Strong Application
Student ID
Know your ctcLink number (this is your OC student ID). For help accessing ctcLink, click here.
Transcripts
Uploading unofficial transcripts is encouraged but not required. Current OC students can access transcripts in ctcLink.
- High school students may upload high school transcripts.
- If you have attended multiple institutions, upload your most recent transcript.
If you no longer have access to transcripts, you may still apply.
Letter of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are strongly encouraged and may improve your application score.
- Recommendation letters should be from someone who knows you in an academic, professional, or leadership capacity (not a friend or family member).
- Letters must be from within the past two years.
- If you’re unsure who to ask, a current or former supervisor or instructor is a great place to start.
Essay Questions
The scholarship application has three essay questions. Each essay question has multiple questions within it. Your essay response should answer all parts of each question. Please take your time in sharing thoughtful responses to these questions in your own voice. Your responses do not need to sound academic, reviewers value honesty, reflection and lived experience.
- Draft essay responses in a separate document before pasting them into AwardSpring.
- Each essay question has a 700-word maximum; you are not required to use the full limit.
- View the 2026 Essay Questions and Instructions.
- Read sample student essays: Student A and Student B.
- Additional writing support is available through the OC Writing Center.
Upcoming Information Sessions and Workshops
Scholarship Workshops
Work through the scholarship application in-depth with support from Olympic College Foundation staff and OC Peer Mentors.
Wednesday, April 15 | 3–5 p.m. | Zoom
Drop-In Q&A Sessions (Zoom)
Join a Zoom session to ask quick questions. No presentation; join and leave at any time.
Friday, April 10 | 1–2 p.m.
You Belong Here
There is no single “right” path to college. Whether your journey is traditional or not, your experiences matter and they are welcome here. Support is available, and we’re here to help you through the process.
Additional Support
- Watch a recording of a Scholarship Information Session.
- Schedule a one-on-one meeting with Samantha for application support.
- Reach out to Program Impact Manager, Samantha Fairweather at sfairweather@olympic.edu