Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE)

The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) honors three vocational students from each of the state’s 49 legislative districts, for outstanding achievement in vocational-technical education.

The WAVE program is jointly administered by the Washington Student Achievement Council and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. The Workforce Board is the primary administrator responsible for program policy and recipient selection. The Council serves as fiscal agent for payment of the monetary scholarship.

High schools, skills centers, and community & technical colleges nominate students based on occupational proficiency, leadership, community activities, and work experience. A committee, representing business, labor, education, the Legislature, and citizens, makes the final selections.

Because of a severe state revenue shortfall, the Legislature made changes in the financial award portion of the WAVE program: 

  • The monetary benefit for WAVE recipients selected in spring 2010 or earlier (who have remaining eligibility) will not exceed the base increase authorized in the state budget for public tuition and services and activities fees for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 fiscal years.
  • In 2011, public higher education institutions received new tuition-setting authority that allows each institution to raise tuition to levels higher than those assumed in the 2011-13 state operating budget. However, annual WAVE scholarship value adjustments will not reflect any increases that exceed the assumed budget increases. 
  • No monetary scholarships will be conferred to new WAVE recipients for two years, representing spring 2011 and spring 2012. The annual identification and recognition of new WAVE scholarship recipients for those years has been suspended.

Recipients named to the award in spring 2010 or earlier (and have remaining eligibility) may receive grants for up to two years of undergraduate study. These students can use the grants at public two-year and four-year colleges and universities, and accredited private colleges, universities, and licensed career schools in Washington.

2011-12 Maximum Awards
Vary by Type of Institution

For WAVE recipients selected in spring 2010,
or earlier who have remaining eligibility.
University of Washington
$11,289
Washington State University
$11,386
4-Year Private, Quarter-Based
$11,386
4-Year Private, Semester-Based
$11,386
Central Washington University
$7,941
Eastern Washington University
$7,372
The Evergreen State College
$7,811
Western Washington University
$8,022
Public Community Colleges
(15 credit max. may vary by school)
Up to $4,000
Public Technical Colleges
(15 credit max. may vary by school)
Up to $4,000
Private Licensed Vocational Schools
Up to $11,386

State Laws and Rules

State Statute – RCW 28C.04
State Statute - RCW 28B.76.670
State Rules and Regulations – WAC 250-85

For additional information go to: WAVE Program
or call Julie Anderson 360-709-4622 - at the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

For payment information contact:
Email: Ann M. Voyles (Washington Student Achievement Council)
Phone: 360-753-7843

For other information contact:
Julie Japhet - 360-753-7840
Washington Student Achievement Council, or
Terri Colbert - 360-709-4623
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board