The 2025 AWC Center for Quality Communities scholarship cycle is now closed.
The AWC Center for Quality Communities (CQC) scholarship supports high school seniors who are active in leadership in their city government, community, or school and plan to pursue post-secondary education.
Each year, all of Washington’s 281 cities and towns can recruit scholarship applicants. Each jurisdiction can nominate one graduating high school senior. This is a great way to recognize the youth in your community who have made a positive contribution to your city.
Up to three $3,000 scholarships are being offered in 2025.
Scholarship recipients also receive a travel stipend to attend AWC's Annual Conference in Kennewick, Washington, in June 2025.
Thank you to all the cities/towns that nominated a student for a 2025 CQC scholarship!
Almira Arlington Auburn Bainbridge Island Bremerton Burlington Camas Carnation College Place Concrete | Connell Darrington Enumclaw Ferndale Harrington Issaquah La Center Lacey Lake Stevens Lakewood | Medical Lake Mill Creek Milton Mount Vernon Oak Harbor Okanogan Oroville Othello Pasco | Port Angeles Sammamish Selah Sequim Spokane Tacoma Toppenish University Place White Salmon |
About the AWC Center for Quality Communities scholarship
The AWC Center for Quality Communities scholarship is supported by individual donors who are passionate about inspiring and recognizing youth leadership in municipal government. The AWC CQC is pleased to have awarded 74 scholarships to date, resulting in over $139,000 of funding as of 2024. Learn about our previous scholarship recipients.
Students: How to apply
The 2025 scholarship application period is now closed. The next scholarship application round will open in the fall of 2025.
The recruitment and selection process is done through your city. Check back in the fall to see when the application period opens, then contact your city to learn about the local application process and deadline.
Eligibility
Students interested in consideration for the Center for Quality Communities scholarship must be:
- Active in community leadership and civic service through city government, community groups, or school, either now or in the past;
- Eligible to earn a high school diploma, homeschool diploma, or GED in spring/summer of the award year;
- Planning to continue education in the upcoming academic year at an accredited college or trade school at least half-time; and
- A Washington state resident.
Cities: How to nominate students
The 2025 scholarship application period is now closed. The next scholarship application round will open in the fall of 2025.
All of Washington’s 281 cities and towns can recruit scholarship applicants. Each jurisdiction can nominate one first-time applicant to the Center for Quality Communities.
Cities and towns are important partners in the selection process. Each city/town can decide how it wants to select a local nominee. You can make it competitive and open to the community at large. You can recruit from active city volunteers or solicit applications from your local schools. You can limit your recruitment to city residents only. It's your choice.
Nominations are typically due to CQC by mid-January, so please plan to set your city’s internal application deadline accordingly. Watch this page for more details when the next application period opens in the fall.
