What is Passport to Careers?

The Passport to Careers Program - or Passport for short, is an additional layer of support for students who were in foster care after the age of 13 and/or students who are under the age of 24 and are Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY).

Students who are designated as Passport eligible receive a scholarship each quarter they are enrolled, and have access to a team of support at the college. Each student's situation is unique and the resources that are provided are based on the student's needs. Some of that support includes system navigation, connections with community resources, additional funding for emergencies, and events/workshops to help students gain more skills.

Passport History and Purpose

The state of Washington created the Passport to Career Scholarship program through RCW 28B.117.

The Passport to Career program is administered by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) and helps current and former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless enroll, persist, and complete a postsecondary education. The institution's commitment is as follows:

  • A Leadership Commitment: Create a lasting institutional commitment to serve current and former foster youth, unaccompanied, and homeless youth.
  • Designated Campus Support Staff: Designate a knowledgeable “home base” staff person who can direct youth in the areas of financial aid, academic guidance, personal issues, and career counseling / advising.
  • Financial Aid: Review each Passport student's individual budget to recognize their actual living expenses and tailor the financial aid package, to utilize all available resources to meet the student's full need and minimize reliance on loans.

State, Federal, Tribal, ICPC, and Foster care youth as well as unaccompanied homeless are encouraged to seek help from our office to help with academic needs, resources, and funding. Eligible foster care & unaccompanied homeless youth students can receive assistance with: textbooks and laptops, school supplies, academic assessment and evaluation.