UW Certificate Scholarship

NOTE: Applications for the 2022 scholarship are now closed. The information below reflects a past scholarship cycle. To get information about the next scholarship cycle opening in Spring 2023, subscribe to the email list at the bottom of this page.

reach your potential

Education turns potential into possibility. Through the UW Certificate Scholarship program, you’ll have a chance to boost your potential — and your career — with a UW certificate.   

WHat’s the UW Certificate Scholarship?

The UW Certificate Scholarship program is an important way to break down barriers to a UW education and help you ignite a change in your career. 

Scholarships range in value from $3,000 to $8,000, depending on the cost of the program. Scholarship recipients receive a waiver each quarter that covers at least 80% of registration and course fees for most programs. The student is responsible for the initial $50 application fee, the remaining fees, and the cost of any necessary books and other class materials.

Take the Next Step

Applications for scholarships are currently closed. They will reopen in spring 2023 for the fall 2023 certificate programs listed below. Once you apply and are accepted into the certificate program, you’ll receive information about applying for a certificate scholarship. See the eligibility criteria below.

Eligible Certificate Programs

Business & Leadership

Data & Applied Math

Education, Nonprofit & Society

Engineering, Construction & Sustainability

Marketing, Communication & Design

Programming & Tech

Who’s Eligible for this scholarship?

To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

  • Be living in Washington state
  • Apply and be accepted to one of the eligible certificate programs
  • Not exceed the household income limits listed below for the previous calendar year*
  • Not have access to financial assistance from your employer to pay for your program
  • Not have been a part- or full-time student in the last 12 months (unless taking prerequisite courses) 
  • Not be a UW Continuum College employee or an immediate family member thereof

* To qualify for a UW Certificate Scholarship, your household income for 2021 can't exceed the amounts listed on this page. As part of the application, you'll be required to state your household income and provide a copy of your 2021 federal income tax return. 

People in Household

Annual Income

1 $40,770
2 $54,930
3 $69,090
4 $83,020
5 $97,410
6 $111,570
7 $125,730
8 $139,890

The University of Washington strives to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, values and viewpoints. Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply.

How To Apply

  1. Carefully review the admission requirements for your chosen certificate program to make sure you qualify. If you have any questions, contact us.

  2. Apply to the certificate program. 

  3. Check your email! We’ll contact you within two weeks to let you know if you’ve been accepted into the certificate program. If you’re accepted, you’ll get a follow-up email with a link to the scholarship application.

  4. Complete the scholarship application online by July 15, 2022.

  5. To confirm your income eligibility, submit your 2021 U.S. federal income tax return according to the instructions on the scholarship application.

Scholarship Rules & Additional Details

  • Scholarships are available for cohort-based offerings only; self-paced programs do not qualify. 
  • Scholarship applications will be accepted until the posted deadline. Supplemental materials submitted by mail must be postmarked no later than the posted deadline. No late applications are accepted.
  • Incomplete applications and applications from ineligible students will not be considered.
  • Applicants are notified about scholarship decisions within three weeks of the deadline.
  • You may apply for a scholarship for more than one certificate program, but you can only be awarded one UW Certificate Scholarship at a time.
  • Awardees can’t be enrolled in other UW programs while completing their awarded certificate program. 
  • Scholarship decisions are made by a scholarship committee. The committee follows a predetermined scoring system in evaluating scholarship applications and all decisions are final. 
  • Scholarship awardees will be required to sign and return a scholarship agreement within 10 days and complete registration, including payment of the balance for the first course, at least two weeks before the first class. 
  • If the above deadlines are missed, the scholarship offer will expire and another candidate may be selected. 
  • If you're not selected for a scholarship award and you decide to withdraw your certificate program application, you may request a refund of the application fee within 15 days of the notification letter.
  • Scholarship awards can't be deferred and are not transferable to other certificate programs.
  • Scholarship recipients must successfully complete each course to receive the scholarship award for the remaining courses.
  • Additional awards beyond the 80% may be awarded to students with extenuating circumstances as funds remain available. 
  • Award recipients must agree to being interviewed and/or photographed for UW Professional & Continuing Education and UW Continuum College communications. 

Scholarship details

Award amount: $3,000-$8,000


application status: Closed


next PROGRAM cycle: Fall 2023

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FULFILLING A DREAM

“The people who make this possible for someone like myself, they sow a seed, and that seed is going to grow and become a tree, and that tree's going to bear fruit, and that fruit is going to also give back and sow seeds into other people's lives.”

— Tolulope Daramola, Scholarship Recipient & Certificate Graduate

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