Student Scholarship Application

    The Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling (PNACAC) will be awarding ten (10), one-time, $1,000 scholarships to students planning to attend a regionally accredited college or university in Fall 2025. 

    Accreditation ensures that an institution meets an acceptable level of quality, and that an institution is upholding its mission, goals, operations and achievements. Regionally accredited institutions typically include public two- and four-year colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities and private, non-profit colleges and universities.

    To determine an institution’s accreditation, search the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs and ensure that your intended institution is accredited by one of the following regional bodies:

    • Higher Learning Commission
    • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
    • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
    • Western Association of Schools and Colleges

    Submissions are due by March 15, 2025 at midnight Pacific Time.

    • Awardees will be notified in mid- to late-April 2025.

    PNACAC represents college admissions professionals in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. A regional affiliate of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), PNACAC is an education association of secondary school counselors, college and university admission officers and counselors and related individuals who work with students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education.

    To begin the application process, please read the Scholarship Eligibility Criteria, How to Apply, and Video Essay Rules below.

    SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

    1. Currently enrolled student who is in their senior year of high school in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington and plans to attend a regionally accredited college or university in Fall 2025 - OR - Currently enrolled student who is attending a two-year college in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington and plans to attend a regionally accredited four-year college or university in Fall 2025.
    2. Currently have a 3.00 cumulative, unweighted GPA or higher.
    3. Submit the video essay application by March 15, 2025 at midnight Pacific Time.

    HOW TO APPLY

    1. Record a video (no more than one minute in length) responding to one of the following prompts: “What would you like to be doing in 10 years, and how does college help you get there?”-OR-“How has your school counselor, college/career counselor or advisor helped you (and/or others) in finding the right college fit and what would you like to say to them?”
    2. Must be hosted on YouTube and published as unlisted. The instructions to publish as unlisted can be found here.
    3. Submit it no later than March 15, 2025 at midnight Pacific Time.

    VIDEO ESSAY RULES

    • Must be created by an individual student. No joint entries (video created by two or more students) will be considered.
    • Must be no more than one minute in length.
    • Must be submitted by March 15, 2025 at midnight Pacific Time.
    • Must be hosted on YouTube and published as unlisted. The instructions to publish as unlisted can be found here.
    • Videos will be judged on message, originality, and focus. Students do not need to be experienced videographers or editors and no fancy camera or special equipment is required. Just simply use your phone or borrow a friend’s!
    • Need some inspiration? Check out the videos of past winners!

    Questions? Review our list of Frequently Asked Questions before contacting our Scholarship & Awards Chair.

    Current School State
    Current School State
    Year in School
    Year in School

    PNACAC will contact this person to verify your school enrollment and GPA.

    Video Prompt Selected
    Video Prompt Selected
    Do you authorize part of your video to be used to create a private highlight reel showcasing the submissions that we received to our reviewers and members? (Answer will have to impact on scholarship awarding.)
    Do you authorize part of your video to be used to create a private highlight reel showcasing the submissions that we received to our reviewers and members? (Answer will have to impact on scholarship awarding.)
    Do you verify that you, and you alone, created this video essay?
    Do you verify that you, and you alone, created this video essay?