Grant Program Updates

Learning Community
The Regional Partnerships team recently launched a grantee learning community to promote peer-to-peer learning on innovative, place-based strategies for increasing postsecondary attainment throughout the state. This learning prioritizes building relationships across the current grantees.

Next Council Meeting
The next Council meeting will be held on May 20, 2025, in Everett, WA. The Regional Partnerships team will be presenting its recommendations for continued funding to the first cohort of partnerships to the Council. Details will be posted on WSAC’s website closer to the date and will be streamed live and on-demand on TVW.

Partnership Highlight

Meet Kitsap Strong, a 2024 grantee! Kitsap Strong is a collective impact-based organization that serves residents in Kitsap and northern Mason County. As a Regional Challenge Grant recipient, Kitsap Strong convenes and trains educators, school counselors, community college coaches and advisors, and other community members to build hope and resilience in young people. Kitsap Strong supports students in identifying viable pathways to achieve their goals.

To date, Kitsap Strong has enabled the certification of 77 professionals from Olympic College and six area school districts: Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Central Kitsap, North Kitsap, North Mason, and South Kitsap. In addition to integrating these practices in their day-to-day work, these navigators also participate in a community of practice to foster collaboration among educators and youth-serving organizations.

To learn more about all 13 partnerships, visit WSAC’s website or read our 2024 Legislative Report.

WSAC Resources

College Access Initiatives (CAI)
WSAC’s CAI Division is the state’s primary infrastructure for college and financial aid outreach and support. Their work spans many initiatives, including College Bound, the 12th Year Campaign, and Aim Higher. CAI also manages OtterBot, a 24/7 texting chatbot for high school students and families to ask questions about financial aid and postsecondary education.

Sign up to attend a free financial aid training for community leaders, college access professionals, and other trusted messengers on March 28, 2025.

WSAC Privacy Statement
WSAC supports students and families in making decisions that best fit their educational goals and risk considerations. View the agency’s privacy statement on student financial data.

Helpful Links:

• How to Apply for Financial Aid: WASFA & FAFSA
• Overview of the WA College Grant
• Financial Aid Messaging Toolkit for Practitioners
• Over half of Washington college students report experiencing basic needs insecurity, up 6 percent since 2022
• How one county worked together to create a culture of attainment (EdNC)
• Webinars and Trainings for Place-Based Partnerships (StriveTogether)

Connect with WSAC Regional Partnerships

We’d love to connect with you in the field!

WSAC’s Regional Partnerships team will be presenting at the Washington Educational Research Association’s 2025 Spring Symposium: The Power of Partnerships on March 20, 2025, and the Rural Summit for Cradle to Career Success’s annual conference on April 27, 2025.

Contact us at RegionalChallengeGrant@wsac.wa.gov.