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  2. Seattle Promise: More than a Scholarship — A Partnership
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  4. Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

We often receive similar questions about Seattle Promise. Find brief answers, links, and resources to assist you below.

Don't see your question? Please contact us or review our website for more information.

Seattle Promise is a college tuition and student success program designed to provide the financial support and personal guidance needed to thrive in college. The program is open to all Seattle public high school graduates regardless of grade point average (GPA), income or country of birth.

Seattle Promise scholars are eligible for the following services:

  • Support applying to Seattle Promise and Seattle Colleges
  • Support applying for and completing financial aid requirements
  • Full coverage of any tuition expenses (for up to two years or 90 college credits) remaining after other scholarships and financial aid
  • Assistance with choosing and registering for classes
  • Preparation for the transition to college
  • Guidance and mentorship through the first two years of college

All graduating seniors attending Seattle public high schools are eligible for the Seattle Promise program regardless of grade point average (GPA), income, ability, or country of birth.

*Eligible for Fall 2022 through a new pilot program authorized by Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL).
**Students who will complete their high school requirements in 2022 through the Cascade Parent Partnership Program and earn a Seattle Public Schools diploma are eligible to apply for Seattle Promise for Fall 2022.

Don’t see your high school? We have a place for you at Seattle Colleges

Seattle Promise is just one of the funding options available at Seattle Colleges. Apply for scholarships and financial aid at the college of your choice – North, Central, or South.

Tell us about your interests, and we’ll direct you to more information.

Contact the student success specialist who is partnered with your high school. Apply by February 15 of each year.

Seattle Promise compliments other aid programs while addressing gaps. 

After other aid programs are applied toward your tuition, Seattle Promise fills in the gaps. First, all federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships are applied. Then other tuition-specific funding is applied. Third, Seattle Promise tuition is applied. And lastly, for those with economic need, an equity scholarship for college-related costs outside tuition is applied. 

How Seattle Promise Scholarship Funding Works

Generally, other aid programs such as the Washington College Grant program, Washington State Opportunity Scholarship and King County’s Supporting Postsecondary Success program are focused on tuition support for a specific population of students. Seattle Promise is available to all Seattle Public School graduates regardless of income, grade point average (GPA), ability, or country of birth. 

How Your Seattle Promise Scholarship Works 

Seattle Promise is currently focused on guaranteeing students 90 college credits at Seattle Colleges. The city of Seattle continues to work with partners to explore how to reduce barriers for students and increase educational opportunities, but no plans are in place at this time to expand the Seattle Promise to four-year institutions.

Seattle Promise students are eligible to apply to transfer to the 4-year institution of their choice, however the Seattle Promise scholarship can only be used at one of the three participating Seattle Colleges (North, Central, South).

Seattle Promise will fund up to 90 credits toward a student’s first associate degree. Students who participated in Running Start and/or who earned college credits while in high school are eligible for the program if they have earned fewer than 90 credits and have not yet completed their first associate degree.

There are many other financial aid and funding sources available to assist students if they do not qualify for Seattle Promise. Contact the financial aid office at one of our colleges for more information about your options.

Seattle Promise funding will stop once a student earns 90 credits or is enrolled for two years. Students who don’t earn 90 credits in the two years they’re in the program should work with the Financial Aid office toward the end of their program to explore additional funding options (if needed).

Yes! Seattle Promise will fund required developmental education courses. These credits do apply toward the 90 credit limit, and students should work with the Financial Aid office toward the end of their program to explore additional funding options (if needed).

Seattle Promise is jointly managed by the city of Seattle, Seattle Colleges, and Seattle Public Schools. These organizations are supported by Seattle’s Levy Oversight Committee, established by the city council to review and make recommendations regarding levy-funded programs including Seattle Promise. 

Seattle Colleges and the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning annually review the program's performance indicators to measure the quality and quantity of services to Seattle Promise students.

Partners logos, Seattle Colleges, Seattle Public Schools and City of Seattle

As part of the Seattle Rescue Plan, City, and education leaders recently announced a new Seattle Promise transfer partnership with Seattle Colleges and the University of Washington set to begin in Summer 2022. To learn more about the proposed partnership, visit the Department of Education and Early Learning and the University of Washington websites. Funding for this partnership is currently pending approval by Seattle City Council. Learn more about the Seattle Rescue Plan and legislative timeline. 

Seattle Promise is funded by the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy through June 2026. Seattle Colleges, Seattle Public Schools, and the City of Seattle are in active conversations about the future of Seattle Promise. 

Throughout 2024, the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) will engage with the community and stakeholders to develop investment proposals for the next levy. In early 2025, the Mayor will transmit a proposed levy package to City Council for consideration. City Council must adopt the proposal by summer 2025 to appear on voter’s ballots in November 2025. 

Community engagement throughout this process and during the legislative process is encouraged.   

We are committed to helping students fund their education and provide support to earn an associate degree or credential. 

Learn more about all the funding opportunities available at Seattle Colleges. 

For questions regarding the FEPP Levy, please contact the City of Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning at education@seattle.gov.