WWCC announces Warrior Pledge scholarship

 WALLA WALLA—Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) announced the launch of Warrior Pledge, a new scholarship program that will provide free tuition and other support to eligible students, enabling them to enroll at WWCC regardless of their financial circumstances.

The Warrior Pledge program starts with a pilot cohort of 50 students beginning college in Fall Quarter 2022. The program was created to help students who may not otherwise be able to enroll due to financial constraints. WWCC pledges to cover eligible recipients’ cost of tuition, books, and fees for up to 110 credit hours.

Scholarship recipients will include recent high school graduates, those who have never attended college previously, and students returning to college after time in the workforce or military. The program is designed to serve the needs of all students, with particular focus on those with no family history of attending college, low-income students, and students of color.

“WWCC’s mission is to eliminate barriers and to provide access to education and workforce training for our entire community,” said Chad Hickox, President of WWCC. “Warrior Pledge will do just that. We are determined to support community members in creating better lives for themselves and their families, no matter what.”

Warrior Pledge scholarships are available to those living in Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin counties, as well as in Umatilla County, Oregon, and Nez Perce County, Idaho.

Initial funding for the Warrior Pledge pilot program is made possible by the Scott Endowment, a fund created by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s donation to the college in late 2020. Warrior Pledge is expected to expand over time as its success grows and as additional dollars become available through the ongoing generosity of local donors to the WWCC Foundation.

Currently, as many as 40% of high school graduates in counties served by WWCC never go to college, and more than 50% do not earn a certificate or degree after high school.

“Increasing educational achievement benefits individuals and communities and ensures a qualified workforce to fuel our regional economy,” said Bill Warren, WWCC Board Chair. “Warrior Pledge allows us to support community members in reaching their educational and employment goals without added financial burdens.”

The deadline for first-year applications is August 17, 2022. Students seeking information are urged to contact Tessa Kimball at 509-529-5454.