Over $2.5 million in scholarship dollars were awarded to 114 students in the ESD 123 region to pursue STEM and health care bachelor’s degrees in Washington state through the
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS).
The recipients selected in 2025 are the 14th cohort of Scholars awarded this competitive scholarship, and hail from every county in the state. Every Scholar is a low- or middle-income Washington student. ESD 123 had the fourth highest number of selected students of Washington’s nine ESDs, making up 9 percent of the total cohort chosen this year. Benton County had 54 selected students, and Franklin had 52.
“In addition to scholarship dollars, these students will receive wrap-around support services that help them earn their credentials on time and make career connections with the leading industries in our state,” said Johnathan Luster, the WSOS interim executive director. “Considering the recent cuts to higher education and programs that support equitable access, we are grateful to our partners and supporters so that we can continue to help students furthest from opportunity and fuel our state’s economy.”
Students can attend any of Washington's public or private colleges and universities in Washington. Over a third of this cohort (35%) intend to study at the University of Washington Seattle. Over 70% of this cohort’s selected recipients identify as first-generation college students. WSOS maximizes the state’s investment in education by selecting Scholars whose intended majors align with projected job openings to fill workforce needs. Over a third of students chosen intend to study health care, followed by nearly 27% in computer science, and 14% in engineering.
Nearly 10,000 Opportunity Scholars have graduated since 2011. The average income of an applicant’s entire family when the student applies to the bachelor’s degree program is approximately $67,000. Graduates earn over $100,000 on average, demonstrating the scholarships' ability to break the cycle of poverty.