Undergraduate Scholarship
2027-28 Application Opens November 30, 2026
Washington Space Grant Consortium (WASG) offers up to $5000 in tuition waiver to undergraduate students planning to study science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at the University of Washington Seattle (UW). Individual award amount can vary and is determined based on student demonstrated need and enrollment status. Partial awards may be awarded based on part time enrollment (9 credits or less) and/or changing financial needs.
Eligibility
- Be a U.S. Citizen or legal resident.
- Have demonstrated financial need via FAFSA or WASFA application
- Be a current UW-enrolled student or an admitted UW student.
- Must qualify for in-state tuition. Reference UW website.
- Maintain a cumulative 2.9 GPA on a 4.0 scale, once awarded.
- WASG scholarships are specifically designated for tuition and cannot be used for study abroad programs.
- Open to students in STEM degree programs. Some degree programs are ineligible, reference the STEM Degree Program List. If you are unsure, email nasa@uw.edu to ask.
If you are a current scholarship awardee, check your weekly emails for instructions to re-apply in order to be considered for the scholarship. Renewals are contingent upon satisfactory progress towards your degree and demonstrated financial need.
Program Description
Beyond financial support, the scholarship program provides optional cohort activities in career development, academic skills, and life skills to build a supportive community of scholars.
Questions? Email nasa@uw.edu.
Application Open: Nov 30, 2026
Application Closed: Feb 24, 2027
Selection Notification: June 2027
*If you are a current scholarship awardee, check your weekly emails for instructions to re-apply in order to be considered for the scholarship for the next cycle.
Below are the essay questions you will be asked in your application. See our essay tips (located at the bottom of this page) for additional resources.
Academic Goal and Motivation
Briefly explain how your educational and/or career goals align with NASA’s mission to “explore the unknown in air and space, innovate for the benefit of humanity, and inspire the world through discovery”? (150-200 words)
Note: We’re not looking for the most unique research idea! We want to hear how you plan to use your education.
Public Service
Space Grant values meaningful contributions to the community and social impact. Describe your specific contribution to any initiative(s), project(s), or organizations.(150-200 words)
Note: Your description does not have to be STEM-related.
Lived Experiences
Describe how your lived experience contributed to your pursuit of a STEM degree? (150-200 words)
Note: See definition of lived experience
Contribution to Cohort
Washington Space Grant (WASG) Program is committed to providing a welcoming and supportive community to all students through various student engagement and networking opportunities. Describe how you will contribute to the Space Grant community and what you’re looking forward to gaining from this program.
(50-100 words)
- Is there a minimum GPA to apply?
- There is no minimum GPA to apply. If awarded, students are expected to maintain a cumulative and quarterly 2.9 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- There is no minimum GPA to apply. If awarded, students are expected to maintain a cumulative and quarterly 2.9 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- How much is the scholarship?
- WASG Scholarship annual award offers up to $5000 for full time enrollment (10+ credits). Individual award amount can vary and is determined based on student demonstrated need and enrollment status. Partial awards may be awarded based on part time enrollment (9 credits or less) and/or changing financial needs.
- WASG Scholarship annual award offers up to $5000 for full time enrollment (10+ credits). Individual award amount can vary and is determined based on student demonstrated need and enrollment status. Partial awards may be awarded based on part time enrollment (9 credits or less) and/or changing financial needs.
- When is the scholarship disbursed?
- Award is disbursed evenly across Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters. No Summer aid is available.
- Award is disbursed evenly across Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters. No Summer aid is available.
- Will there be an interview?
- No. The scholarship selection does not include an interview.
- No. The scholarship selection does not include an interview.
- What degree programs or majors qualify for this opportunity? I am pursuing a STEM degree, but I’m not sure if it counts as eligible.
- All STEM Degree Program listed here support NASA’s Mission. While medical fields may incorporate aspects of STEM, standard clinical training tracks or patient care majors are ineligible (ex: nursing, pre-med, CNA, phlebotomy, etc.).
- All STEM Degree Program listed here support NASA’s Mission. While medical fields may incorporate aspects of STEM, standard clinical training tracks or patient care majors are ineligible (ex: nursing, pre-med, CNA, phlebotomy, etc.).
- What if I get multiple scholarships?
- If you are receiving financial aid through the University of WA, you’ll need to check with the financial aid office. Space Grant awards must be reported as part of your resources. Scholarship awards may impact your aid and loan eligibility. Contact the Office of Financial Aid to ask questions regarding your unique aid information.
- If you are receiving financial aid through the University of WA, you’ll need to check with the financial aid office. Space Grant awards must be reported as part of your resources. Scholarship awards may impact your aid and loan eligibility. Contact the Office of Financial Aid to ask questions regarding your unique aid information.
- Why do you need me to fill out a FAFSA or WAFSA?
- Space Grant scholars are selected through a holistic review process that considers the following: commitment to community, academic merit, and demonstrated need, with priority given to high-achieving, high-need students.
- Space Grant scholars are selected through a holistic review process that considers the following: commitment to community, academic merit, and demonstrated need, with priority given to high-achieving, high-need students.
- What if I’m not accepted to UW yet?
- You do not have to be accepted to UW before applying to the scholarships. If you are awarded a Space Grant scholarship, but you are not offered admission to UW or choose to attend a different school; please let us know as soon as possible so we can redistribute funds to another student on the waitlist.
- You do not have to be accepted to UW before applying to the scholarships. If you are awarded a Space Grant scholarship, but you are not offered admission to UW or choose to attend a different school; please let us know as soon as possible so we can redistribute funds to another student on the waitlist.
- I will not be enrolled in all three quarters of the academic years, can I still get the scholarship?
- Contact nasa@uw.edu to get additional information regarding your specific situation. If your enrollment changes, or you decide to take less than full-time credits, or plan to study abroad, please email nasa@uw.edu as soon as possible. You must be enrolled at University of Washington and taking courses in the state for the tuition waiver to apply to your student account.
- Contact nasa@uw.edu to get additional information regarding your specific situation. If your enrollment changes, or you decide to take less than full-time credits, or plan to study abroad, please email nasa@uw.edu as soon as possible. You must be enrolled at University of Washington and taking courses in the state for the tuition waiver to apply to your student account.
- I want to participate in a study abroad program, can I still apply for your scholarship?
- WASG scholarships are specifically designated for UW tuition and cannot be used during the quarter you are enrolled for study abroad programs. You may still qualify during the quarters you are in-state, please reach out to us as soon as possible.
- WASG scholarships are specifically designated for UW tuition and cannot be used during the quarter you are enrolled for study abroad programs. You may still qualify during the quarters you are in-state, please reach out to us as soon as possible.
- I am not going to UW, can I still get the Space Grant scholarship?
- This scholarship award is applied as an UW tuition waiver. We also have partnerships with institutions across Washington. Learn more about WASG opportunities at different institutions on our affiliate page.
- This scholarship award is applied as an UW tuition waiver. We also have partnerships with institutions across Washington. Learn more about WASG opportunities at different institutions on our affiliate page.
- Can I apply if I applied last year?
- Yes, you can apply each year for the Washington Space Grant scholarship. If you are a current scholarship awardee, check your weekly emails for instructions to re-apply in order to be considered for the scholarship for the next cycle.
- Yes, you can apply each year for the Washington Space Grant scholarship. If you are a current scholarship awardee, check your weekly emails for instructions to re-apply in order to be considered for the scholarship for the next cycle.
- How do I know if I have been selected for the scholarship?
- To ensure you receive our communications, please add nasa@uw.edu to your safe senders list in your school email. We contact all participants through your school email account to adhere to FERPA guidelines.