Passport to Careers
Passport
Passport is part of Washington's statewide Passport to Careers program, which has two pathways:
- Apprenticeship - support for youth entering registered apprenticeship programs
- College - support for youth pursuing a college education
At Clark College, we provide the college side of Passport. This program helps former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth access scholarships, financial aid, and dedicated support services to begin and complete their college journey.
Who's Eligible?
You may qualify if you:
- Are a former foster youth (in care at age 13 or older), or an unaccomopanied homeless youth (per federal financial aid definition)
- Are under the age of 22
- Meet Washington State residency requirements and enroll at least half-time (minimum six credits per term)
- Have not yet completed a bachelor's degree
What Support Does Passport Provide?
Eligible students receive:
- A scholarship to help with tuition and living expenses (up to 18 terms of higher education
- Priority access to other state aid such as the Washington College Grant and Work-Study
- Personalized guidance from Workforce Education Services (WES) staff, including help with financial aid, enrollment, planning, and connections to campus and community resources
Eligibility for this funding is determined by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Learn more at:
- WSAC Passport to Careers
- WA Department of Children, Youth, and Families
- WSAC Action Plan
- The WashBoard Scholarship Search
- Financial Aid Toolkit
Why "Passport?"
Washington calls this program Passport to Careers to reflect the two statewide pathways: apprenticeship and college. At Clark, we focus on the college pathway, so you'll see us refer to the program simply as Passport. This helps reduce confusion with the apprenticeship program while keeping our language aligned with the state of Washington.
Education & Training Voucher Program (ETV)
The Education & Training Voucher Program (ETV) is a national program for youth who are in or have aged out of foster care.
- Provides up to $5,000 per year for eligible students
- Can be used for tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, and other school-related costs
- Students must be enrolled at least half-time and be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant
For more information, please contact Lora Jenkins at 360-992-2039 or ljenkins@clark.edu or visit the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program webpage
Washington State Governors' Scholarship
The Washington State Governors' Scholarship for Foster Youth supports students emancipating from state or federally recognized foster, group, or kinship care. The College Success Foundation manages the program.
- Approximately 30 new scholars are chosen each year
- Awards range from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the college of attendance
- Scholarships may be renewed for up to five years, provided the student is enrolled full-time and maintaining satisfactory academic progress
For more information, please contact the Scholarships Office at 360-992-2582 or finaidschol@clark.edu.
Connect with the Passport to College Office:
Virtual hours: Monday & Wednesday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
In-person hours: Gaiser Hall 215, Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Call: 360-992-2039
Email: passport@clark.edu
How to apply
- Complete the Workforce Education Services Application
Workforce Education Services Application - After submitting your application, schedule a virtual or in-person intake appointment with Lora Jenkins.