Scholarship Process

• The TCC Foundation uses STARS for scholarship applications.
• You may use the following internet browsers to complete the application: Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox. Google Chrome is not supported for the application.
• If you have applied in the past, your user name and password are still valid. If you have not applied before you must create a user name and password.
• The pages will time-out (refresh) after a fairly short amount of inactivity, causing you to lose your unsaved work.  Save your application often to avoid losing your information. Type your free-form essay questions in Word and paste them into the application to avoid timing out.
• A letter of recommendation and your most recent unofficial transcript (whether it's college or high school) are required documents. These must be scanned and uploaded to your online application.

• The 2013-2014 scholarships are for students who will be attending Tacoma Community College fall 2013-spring 2014.
• Scholarship criteria vary. Many scholarships are for individuals with financial need. Scholarships are available for both full-time and part-time students. At this time, there are few scholarships available for International students. Most scholarships require WA state residency. Some scholarships are for specific areas of study or for individuals with specific backgrounds or needs. Applicants will be considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible, assuming all pertinent and required materials are included.
• Scholarship recipients are required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
• If these requirements are not satisfied, the Foundation reserves the right to revoke scholarship funds for future quarters.

A complete list of available scholarships is available in the online booklet.

• An email notification will be sent to the students who are offered scholarships.
• A letter with the name and amount of the scholarship(s) will be mailed.
• A letter will also be mailed to all applicants who successfully completed the process, but were selected.
• If you were awarded, you will receive and are required to submit a Scholarship Acceptance Form and a thank you letter to the donor listed on your award letter by the date listed in the award letter.
• Awardees are also required to attend the Scholarship Recognition Event held the first week in November. Details will be provided in late summer/early fall.

• You should have received an email and letter detailing your scholarship amount(s). You should have also received a Scholarship Agreement form. The Agreement form and a thank you letter to your donor must be received by our office by the date specified in order to receive the scholarship funds.
• Make sure you review the credit and GPA requirements for your scholarship so you register for the appropriate number of credits. You can review them in our scholarship booklet.
• If your award totals more than $750, your funds will be disbursed over 3 quarters (fall, winter and spring only). If it is less than $750, you will receive the funds in the fall. For additional questions call Financial Aid at 253.566.5080.
• Enroll for classes! Classes fill up quickly, so register early. If you need additional assistance with the registration process please call Outreach & Recruitment Services at 253.566.6042.
• Attend the Scholarship Recognition Event held in November. Details to come!

Tacoma Community College Foundation is located on the Tacoma Campus at 6501 So. 19th Street, in Bldg. 6.

The Foundation office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

First, check to see if your question is answered in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's). If you can't find your answer there, contact the Tacoma Community College Foundation Office, 253.566.5003 or email.

Athletic Scholarships
Athletic scholarships are available to students who demonstrate athletic talent. For more information, contact Carl Howell at 253.460.4462.

Supplemental Assistance
Visit the Financial Aid office in building 14 for an Emergency Fund Assistance application or the Children's Center in building 2 for a Child Care Assistance application. Complete the application and return it to the designated office, as indicated on the application.

External Scholarships
Scholarships from outside sources are another resource that can help you pay for your education. Scholarship criteria can be based on academic achievement, athletic or artistic talent, financial need, particular Fields of study or involvement in the community. Please contact the Financial Aid office in building 14 for more information.

Veterans Services
Tacoma Community College is approved for the education of active duty military, National Guard and selected reserve veterans and their eligible dependents. Veterans Affairs educational benefits are available. For further information, contact the VA coordinator in Financial Aid Services at 253.566.5081 located in building 14.

Tacoma Community College Emergency Book Loan
The Emergency Book Loan program provides students with short-term loans for textbook purchases. These 30-day loans are given on a first-come, first-serve basis as long as funds are available. Students must apply through the MECA (Multi-Ethnic/Cultural Affairs) program coordinator. Loans are set at a maximum of $100 per quarter. To apply, students must complete a loan application through the MECA office and sign a promissary note to repay the loan within 30 days. For more information, call 253.566.5335.

Discretionary Tuition and Fee Waivers
TCC offers some tuition and fee waivers for individuals registered for credit classes at TCC. All waivers have been approved for Washington state. To determine your eligibility for waivers, please contact the Admissions office or Financial Aid Services.

Scholarship Search Websites

• www.fastweb.com
  Accesses extensive scholarship information.
• www.finaid.com
  Contains many useful sites, including free online scholarship services.
• www.hecb.wa.gov
  Features an overview of colleges, financial aid, admission requirements, education policy and planning of the High Education Coordinating Board (HECB).
• www.waedfoundation.org
  The College Success Foundation provides economically disadvantaged and underrepresented students the educational and financial incentives necessary to succeed in college.
• www.thewashboard.org
  Create a profile and let them do the rest. They will match you with scholarships you are most likely to qualify for and applying online is easy.