The Renton Community Foundation awards over $60,000 in scholarships each year. Applications open on January 1. Please read the information below to determine which scholarships(s) you may qualify for. You may apply for more than one scholarship, provided you meet the qualifications. Information is also available on washboard.org.

general eligibility

rcf scholarship funds

SCHOLARSHIPS MADE THROUGH OTHER ORGANIZATONS

ALLIED ARTS FUND

These awards help talented young students further their training in their artistic field.  Students must live within the boundaries of the Greater Renton Area or have a Renton address and are between the ages of 12-19. The categories under which a student may apply are all areas of visual or performing arts.  The scholarships range from $250 to $500.   Scholarship applications are available through alliedartsofrenton.org.

JEREMY GIDLUND MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

This fund awards three to four scholarships each year to special needs students (Reading, Writing & Math) graduating from either Renton School District (Hazen, Lindbergh, Renton or Talley High Schools) or Olympia School District (Capital or Olympia High Schools). At least one scholarship will be made available to a graduating senior from Lindbergh High School, Jeremy’s alma mater. Students must demonstrate that they have been enrolled in the Special Education Program (with an Individual Educational Program aka IEP) within the Renton or Olympia School District. Awards range from $500 - $2,500. Applications can be accessed through the school’s career counseling office.

PARKER FAMILY MEMORIAL FUND

Grants from this fund are currently made directly to the RTC Foundation to support a student attending Renton Technical College. Contact the RTC Foundation for application information.

RUDOLPH BUNDAS MEMORIAL FUND

Established by the Puget Sound Group of Northwest Artists in honor of one of their long-time members, grants from this fund are made directly to specified schools supporting local art students. Information on how to apply is available on their website.

SCHOLARSHIPS MADE THROUGH RCF

All of these awards are made directly through our Foundation

RICHARD BAIMA BISIACK FUND

Richard’s daughter established this fund upon his passing to honor not only his passion for the Renton community, but his desire to lend a helping hand to those pursuing their dreams. This award is available to students pursuing a degree in business, marketing or communications. Priority is given to graduates of a Renton high school. Awards average is $4,000.

SUE CARLSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Established in memory of Sue Carlson, long-time business development director for the City of Renton, this award is for female high school seniors or college undergraduates who can demonstrate they are pursuing a degree in business, marketing or communications. Awards range between $500 - 1,000.

CUGINI FAMILY FUND

Norma Cugini created this fund to benefit the community and also provide merit-based scholarships, specifically for young women who show a passion for their chosen field of study. Priority is given to graduates of a Renton high school. Awards are between $2,000-$4,000.

HELEN DYRDAL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

In August of 2010, RCF received a generous bequest from the estate of Helen Dyrdal to create a scholarship fund. Because of the difficult economy, our committee voted to offer three categories of scholarships: undergraduate college students; graduate students pursuing a career in a “helping profession”; and students attending a vocational school or enrolled in a certificate program. Students must reside in King County and priority given to students who graduated from a Renton high school. Awards range between $2,500 - $7,500 in each category and students can receive this award more than one year in a row.

DR. DOLORES GIBBONS SCHOLARSHIP

Established in honor of Dr. Dolores Gibbons, retired Superintendent for the Renton School District, this fund awards a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior from a Renton high school pursuing a career in teaching. Awards range between $500 - $1,000.

HARPER ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP

The Harper Engineering Company created this award to honor the founder of their company, OJ Harper. OJ believed whole-heartedly in helping people get the education they desired. This scholarship is for students pursuing a degree or certificate related to the aerospace industry (e.g. engineering, design, machining or business management). Applicants must live within the Island, King, Kittitas, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit, Thurston, or Whatcom counties. Priority will be given to applicants bringing their skills back to Renton. Money available and size of the awards is dependent on company performance. In the past, Harper Engineering has annually awarded between $2,500 and $5,000 in scholarships to deserving students.

BETTY JACOBSEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

This is an endowed fund that provides scholarships for the purpose of post-secondary, vocational, post-graduate or professional education for students who have at one time attended one of the following schools: St. Anthony’s School of Renton; John F. Kennedy High School of Burien; or Eastside Catholic High School of Bellevue. Awards range between $1,000 - $5,000. Family income will be considered.

DR. GARY KOHLWES COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

Dr. Kohlwes is one of our esteemed retired school superintendents and this fund was created in his honor. Awards can be for undergraduates or graduate students pursuing a four-year degree. Students must have graduated from a Renton high school. Awards range between $500 - $2,000.

RENTON SCHOOLS GRADUATE AND EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Awards are considered for current Renton School District students pursuing a teaching degree and/or new teachers pursuing a graduate degree. Priority will be given to applicants who are participants in the Renton Teacher Academy. Awards range between $2,500 - $5,000.

CARL & BETTY ROCHET SCHOLARSHIP

Carl Rochet was a long-time newspaperman. Students must reside in King County and be pursuing a four-year degree in the field of communications or journalism. Awards range between $500 - $2,500. Preference given to graduates of a Renton high school.