Student Scholarship Application 2026

The Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling (PNACAC) will be awarding eleven (11), one-time, $1,500 scholarships to students planning to attend a regionally accredited college or university in Fall 2026, with one specifically for students enrolled in a tribe.

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, 2026 at midnight Pacific Time.

Awardees will be notified in mid- to late-April 2026.

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

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 2026 - 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 2026.
Submit the video essay application by March 15, 2026 at midnight Pacific Time.

HOW TO APPLY

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?”
Must be hosted on YouTube and published as unlisted. The instructions to publish as unlisted can be found here.
Submit it no later than March 15, 2026 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, 2026 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 Awards & RecognitionChair.

Student First Name

Student Last Name

Student Preferred First Name

Display (hidden)

Phone Number

Device Type = Primary Phone (hidden)

Student Email Address (the best one where we can contact you if you are selected as a recicpient in late May or early June)

Device Type = Email (hidden)

Current School (select from search results or type out full name, no abbreviations)

CEEB (hidden)

Year in School

High School Senior

Community College Freshman

Community College Sophomore

Will you be attending a 4-year college or university next year?

Yes

No

Only students enrolling in a 4-year college or university are eligible for this scholarship.

Are you an enrolled member in a tribe? Note: this does not need to be in the list of Federally-recognized tribes.

Yes

No

Please upload a copy of your tribal enrollment for eligibility review.

School Counselor or Advisor (first and last name)

School Counselor or Advisor Email Address

PNACAC may contact this person to verify your school enrollment.

Video Prompt Selected

"What would you like to be doing in 10 years, and how does college help you get there?"

"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?"

Link to Video
Video must be posted to YouTube to be reviewed. Please ensure your privacy settings are either Public or Unlisted so the committee is able to view your submission. Videos that are private will not be viewed by the committee.

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 no impact on scholarship awarding.)

Yes

No

Do you verify that you, and you alone, created this video essay?

Yes

No

Important note: Members of the scholarship review committee are mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. Reports or suspicions of neglect or abuse provided in your video submission may be reported to either the Department of Human Services or law enforcement. By submitting your application, you understand that any reports or suspicions of neglect or abuse will be reported.