Applications open for Teaching and Internship Scholarships

WASHINGTON —The Washington State School Retirees and the Walla Walla-Columbia School Retirees Associations are now accepting applications for scholarships.

The WSSRA is accepting applications for four grants: the WSSRA–Foundation, the Robert J. Handy, the Gene Forrester Memorial, and the Neil D. Prescott Scholarships.

• WSSRA – Foundation Scholarship – eight $2,500 awards

• Robert J. Handy Scholarship – 16 grants for $900 per year, renewable for up to four years.

Awarded to students whose degree will be in one of the following areas: teacher, counselor, speech therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, or psychologist.

•Gene Forrester Memorial Scholarship –two $2,000 towards to students who will major in agricultural education at Washington State University.

Applications for the above are available at http://www.wssra.org and must be submitted online by March 1, 2026. Selected applicants will be notified by May 2026.

•Neil D. Presott Student Teaching/Internship Scholarship – 16 grants for $2,500, (two in each region) Given to student teachers or those completing an internship as a counselor, school psychologist, school social worker, occupational therapist, or speech therapist.

Applicants must be currently enrolled in a college program, pursuing a certificate in education, and will student teach or intern in Washington State for the 2026-27 school year. They must plan to apply for employment in a school district(s) within Washington State.

Applications for the Prescott scholarship are available at http://www.wssra.org and must be submitted by April 1, 2026.

• Walla Walla-Columbia School Retirees Association Scholarship

The Walla Walla-Columbia School Retirees Association is accepting applications for two $2,000 scholarships available to graduates of Walla Walla and Columbia County high schools. The grants will go to prospective teachers and students in related fields who will student-teach or intern between 2026 and June 2027.

Online applications are available on the Blue Mountain Foundation website at http://www.bluemountainfoundation.org. Applications must be submitted online by March 9, 2026.