Washington Award for Vocational Excellence

The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) program was created in 1984 by the Washington State Legislature to recognize and reward students who excel in career and technical education. This award is administered by the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board).

The Award

Recipients of this annual award receive monetary grants, based on availability fo funds, to pay undergraduate educational expenses for two years (six quarters or four semesters) at a Washington State institution of higher education, an accredited Washington State independent college or university, or a licensed private vocational school. A recipient can pay for a valid educational expense, such as tuition, books, supplies, room, board, transportation, or miscellaneous personal expenses with the award. The grant is based on undergraduate study only.The student must maintain a term grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 to continue using the award.

Selection

Three WAVE recipients (two from high schools/skills centers and one from community/technical colleges) are chosen from each legislative district by a selection committee. Each high school and skills center may submit an application for at least one student and as many as four students, depending on the total number of graduating vocational program completers. The number of applicants submitted from community and technical colleges is determined by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Inna - WAVE Recipient

Inna, both a wife and mother, wants to work in the medical field as a nurse. Originally from the Ukraine, she speaks five languages and often is called to interpret at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.