The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) announced the Center for Quality Communities (CQC) scholarship. This scholarship supports high school seniors who are active in leadership in their city government, community, or school and plan to pursue higher education.
Each year, all of Washington’s 281 cities and towns can recruit scholarship applicants. Each city and town can nominate one graduating high school senior. CQC is awarding four $3,000 scholarships to civic-minded Washington student leaders. Scholarship recipients will be announced in Spring 2026. Scholarship recipients also receive a travel stipend to attend AWC's Annual Conference in Spokane, Washington, in June 2026.
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
- Eligible to earn a high school diploma, homeschool diploma, or GED in spring/summer of 2026
- Planning to continue education in the 2026-27 academic year at an accredited college or trade school at least half-time
- A Washington state resident
If you are interested in applying, visit AWC's website, https://wacities.org/cqc-home/scholarships to view eligibility criteria. To download the application, click here. To view the news release, click here.
The deadline for submission to the City of Lake Stevens is Monday, January 5, 2026, by 5:00 pm. You can submit your completed application and letter of recommendation from a nonrelative by emailing it to deputyclerk@lakestevenswa.gov.
What is AWC? Founded in 1933, the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represented Washington's cities. AWC's mission is to serve our member through advocacy, education, and services. For more information, visit: www.wacities.org.
What is CQC? The AWC Center for Quality Communities (CQC) is a 501 (c)(3) partner to AWC that promotes municipal leadership development and civic engagement in student leaders. For more information, visit: www.cfqc.org.