Money Talk
DOLLARS
for SCHOLARS
in the PACIFIC NORTHWEST
"I like the Dollars for Scholars program because it's all about regular people helping regular kids reach higher than they might otherwise." Jerry Large, Seattle Times columnist |
Pacific Northwest student have many new scholarship sources thanks to the Dollars for Scholars program. Dollars for Scholars (DFS) is part of the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA) and helps local communities build and maintain their own college scholarship programs. At present there are 3 DFS chapters in Idaho, 11 in Oregon and 44 in Washington for a total of 60 chapters in the three states. A full list of these 60 DFS chapters is provided on page seven. Since 1987, $5.2 million has been distributed in scholarships to 3,755 students.
Scholarships from the DFS chapters are limited to students from the community represented and are often tied to a specific high school. To receive more information on a specific chapter's scholarship opportunities, students or parents should contact the high school counselor for that community. The regional office for DFS can also provide contact information for each program and can be reached at 1-800-335-4512, e-mail: dsnwcsfa@aol.com, in the Seattle area.
Washington State has now formed a state-wide board to encourage growth of DSF chapters. Over the next 3-5 years, this board hopes to add several hundred more chapters across the state. Any community can organize a DFS chapter. Support is provided for the chapter through the state and national organization and CSFA's nonprofit tax status is extended to the chapter to allow for community fundraising. All decisions regarding distribution of scholarship dollars are made by the local chapter. Individuals interested in helping to form a local chapter in their area can contact the DFS office at the number listed above. State-wide organizations in Oregon and Idaho are anticipated by CSFA at a later date
CSFA began in 1958 in New England and now support x chapters, providing $ in scholarships per year. CSFA also provides administrative services for corporate and foundation scholarships and college access programs for students and parents. The Washington Dollars for Scholars Board is chaired by Democratic State Senator Ken Jacobsen and was formed in 1998.
The following is a listing of current Dollars for Scholars chapters in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. For more information on a specific chapter, you may contact the local high school counselor or call the DFS office in the Seattle area at 1-800-335-4512 or e-mail: dsnwcsfa@aol.com.