“When we began estate planning, we were concerned about how our scholarship fund would be administered after our deaths. RRCF is a perfect fit. We appreciate the professionalism and efficiency, and enjoy the connection to other that support Renton area youth and young adults.”
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Anonymous Donors - Renton Graduate & Educator Fund
“I wanted help investing the funds and spreading the word about my scholarship. RRCF has been very helpful with simplifying my application and answering any questions or concerns. The foundation will provide visibility, professionalism, words of encouragement and help if you need it.”
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Pam Gidlund, Jeremy Gidlund Memorial Fund
SCHOLARSHIP opportunities
Apply for Scholarship
The Renton Regional Community Foundation makes over $70,000 in scholarships awards available 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. However, applications will only be accepted through our website. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 5PM, APRIL 15, 2019.
general eligibility
ALL applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Must have earned a high school diploma or GED by the time the award is made.
• Must be enrolled by the following school year in a full or part-time program at an accredited two or four-year college or vocational, technical or trade school.
RRCF scholarship funds
Please review our list of scholarship funds below. Note that some funds make their grants directly to the educational institution where the award selections are made. For those awards, please contact the school for an application. For RRCF scholarship awards, read through the guidelines to determine your eligibility. When the application process is open, a link will be available on this site that will allow you to apply for RRCF scholarships via our application portal.
Apply for Scholarship
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.
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 RRCF
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 also 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 and/or students attending a trade or technical college. Priority is given to graduates of a Renton high school. This year's award is $5,000. Apply
HARRY AND JANET BLENCOE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Harry and Janet established this scholarship fund in 2018 to help college undergraduates pursue a college degree. Priority will be given to graduates of a Renton high school. This year's scholarship award will be $1,500.
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. Apply
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. Applicant must be a graduate of a Renton high school. Awards are between $1000-$2,500. Apply
HELEN DYRDAL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship makes awards available to:
1) Undergraduate college students; Apply
2) Graduate students pursuing a career in a “helping profession”; Apply
3) Vocational students attending a vocational school or enrolled in a certificate program. Apply
Students must reside in King County and have 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. This year's award is $750. Apply
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. Apply
Felomena’s Grace Fund
This scholarship was established in 2018 for the purpose of furthering the education and overall development of a student who has lost a parent. High school, undergraduate, and graduate students can apply. This year's award will be $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. Four scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded this year. Apply
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. Apply
ANDEE JORGENSEN SCHOLARSHIP
The Andee Jorgensen Scholarship was established to honor Andee Jorgensen, an outstanding civic leader in the City of Renton. Students must be a Washington State resident and must show demonstrated financial need. Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate an ability to manage adversity and life challenges, including those arising from personal, family and/or community. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate commitment to service through volunteering in the community or with school-related activities, and show demonstrated enthusiasm to continue such commitments. This year’s award will be $750.
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. Apply
PSE SCHOLARSHIP
Through a partnership with Puget Sound Energy, RRCF is proud to offer a $1,000 scholarship award for graduating seniors pursuing a degree in engineering. Applicants must live in Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Pierce, Skagit, Thurston, or Whatcom counties. Apply
RENTON SCHOOLS GRADUATE AND EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Awards are considered for Renton School District graduates pursuing a teaching degree. Priority will be given to applicants who are participants in the Renton Teacher Academy. Awards range between $2,500 - $6,000. Apply
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.
WALLACE FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FUND
This scholarship has been established to support students from Hazen or Renton High Schools who are LBGTQ, interested in STEM, and demonstrate financial need. This year’s award will be $10,000 (or two $5,000 scholarships).