/ January 6, 2025

Washington Space Grant Consortium (WASG) offers up to $5000 scholarships to undergraduate students planning to study in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at the University of Washington Seattle (UW).

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.

  • WASG Scholarship annual award is $5000 for 10+ credit enrollment. Awardees enrolled in 9 or less credits receive partial awards. 

  • WAGS scholarships is specifically designated for tuition and cannot be used for study abroad.

  • Space Grant Scholars should be enrolled in an approved STEM major. If you don’t see your degree program listed, you may still be eligible, email nasa@uw.edu to ask. 

  • Be making satisfactory progress towards your degree (for currently enrolled students). 

We may renew current awardees annually; it’s contingent upon satisfactory progress towards your degree and demonstrated financial need.

Students from underrepresented backgrounds (American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and Southeast Asian), individuals with disabilities, and first-generation college students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Dates

  • Priority Deadline: February 14, 2025 @12pm.

  • Final Deadline: Application accepted on a rolling basis until April 1, 2025 @12pm.

  • Award notification will begin mid-March through April 2025. 

  • Award funds will be distributed evenly across Fall 2025, Winter and Spring 2026. 

  • Questions: Drop-in Office Hour via Zoom

    • Thursday Jan 9; 4:30 - 5:00pm

    • Thursday Jan 30; 5:00 - 5:30pm

    • Wednesday Feb 5; 4:00 - 4:30pm

Application Essays Questions

  1. Academic Goal and Motivation

What are your career goals and how do you think they 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.

  1. Public Service

Space Grant values meaningful social impact. Describe your specific contribution to any initiative, project, or organization that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) to your community that aligns with this value. Your example activity does not have to be STEM-related. (150-200 words)

  1. Lived Experience

Describe how your lived experience contributed to your pursuit of a STEM degree? (150-200 words)

  1. Contribution to Cohort 

Washington Space Grant is committed to providing a welcoming and supportive community to all students through community-building activities. Describe how you will contribute to the Space Grant cohort. (50-100 words)

Essay Tips

  • Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships, and Awards provides general scholarship application tips. 

  • What is Lived Experience? Check out this guide from the Office of Human Services Policy. 

  • NASA Space Grant’s objectives include recruiting and training U.S. citizens and residents, especially women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities. In your essay responses, highlight how your experience and goals align with Space Grant’s objective. 

  • We place a strong emphasis on the driving force or motivation behind your academic pursuits. We are not expecting you to explain entirely new original research ideas. 

  • Your application will be evaluated on the following categories: Academic Goal and Motivation, Public Service, Lived Experiences, and Contribution to Cohort.

For more information and/or to apply:
https://forms.gle/tQa3iv1WLxYs8cBS7
Deadline: 04/01/2025 12:00 Pacific Time