Opportunity Grants

Opportunity Grants help low-income students enrolled in approved career training programs pay for tuition and books. Awards are a based on financial need.

Who is Eligible

  • Washington residents
  • Students who are enrolled (or who plan to enroll) in an Opportunity Grant-eligible associate degree or certificate program
  • Low-income students
  • Students who show financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WAFSA)
  • Students who maintain a 2.0 grade point average
  • Students who have earned less than an associate degree

Note: Opportunity Grants are not available to students pursuing AA-Transfer degrees. To check for eligibility, visit the Start Next Quarter website.

For Fort Steilacoom, download an Opportunity Grant Application. Questions and completed applications can be sent to Ryan Uphold at ruphold@pierce.ctc.edu.

What Qualifies as Low-Income

According to the federal guidelines used by the Opportunity Grant program, the chart below determines if a student meets low-income eligibility requirements.

Size of Family Annual Income Limit, 2020–2021

Family
Members		 Total
Combined
Income
1 $25,760
2 $34,840
3 $43,920
4 $53,000
5 $62,080
6 $71,160
7 $80,240
8 $89,320
For each additional person, add $9,080

What Programs Qualify

The following Pierce College professional/technical programs qualify for Opportunity Grants: