Washington Apple Education Foundation Partner Resources for Schools and Counselors
Thank you for supporting students plan for post-secondary education!
WAEF is proud to partner with schools to help students successfully navigate the scholarship process. The resources below are designed for classroom use or counseling sessions—one offers a clear overview of how scholarships and college funding work, and the other provides practical strategies for supporting students as they craft personal statements and essays.
In addition to the resources below, please utilize the lessons found on www.scholarshipresources.org. This material can be adapated for classroom usage and/or provided to students and parents for information on paying for college and completing award winning scholarship applications.
If you have questions or would like guidance, please contact the WAEF office at scholarships@waef.org or (509) 663-7713.
Mission Possible: Scholarship Edition
A student session on finding and winning scholarships
This interactive session helps high school seniors explore the world of scholarships — from where to find them to how to create a standout application. Students will learn practical, research-based strategies for organizing their search, crafting strong personal statements, and avoiding common application mistakes.
Designed for diverse learners planning to attend a university, community college, vocational, or technical program, this session includes hands-on activities such as the Scholarship Search Sprint and Peer Pitch: Why You Deserve It, encouraging students to connect their stories to real opportunities.
Resource guide provides facilitators with cotntent and tools to help students:
- Find scholarships that fit their goals and background
- Tips for writing and revising personal essays
- Confidence in navigating scholarship applications
Best for: High school juniors and seniors preparing for college or training programs.
Length: 45-60 minutes | Format: In-person
Crafting Your Story
Helping students write authentic, powerful scholarship essays
This interactive session guides students through the process of crafting personal statements that reflect their values, voice, and growth. Developed by the Washington Apple Education Foundation utilizing lessons learned while reviewing hundreds of scholarship applications annually, Crafting Your Story helps students move beyond surface-level answers to share meaningful experiences that demonstrate resilience, motivation, and purpose.
Students learn the core principles of strong personal statements—how to “show, not tell,” reveal authentic insights, and connect their life experiences to future goals. The session also includes strategies for writing safely and sensitively when personal or family experiences may be difficult to share.
Includes: Presentation slides, facilitator guide, and student handouts
Goal: Empower every student to tell their story with confidence and clarity
Best for: High school juniors and seniors preparing scholarship or college essays
Length: 45 minutes | Format: In-person
