Blair Black, a student worker at the Scholarship Center, scans his computer, on April 17, 2025, in Bellingham, Wash. Student workers at the Scholarship Center can help Western students with questions or problems that arise concerning scholarships. // Photo by Adah Bassok
On April 9, Western Washington University launched a new application portal for students to apply for financial aid and scholarships.
The goal of the new portal is to maximize the amount of money that can get into the hands of students via scholarships, said Jonathan Higgins, Western’s director of University Communications.
“There are a lot of scholarship opportunities that were getting unawarded in previous years, and the scholarship portal aims to make this much more centralized, more efficient [and] more equitable in terms of getting money to the students,” said Higgins. “Students will submit an application in the portal, and then the portal will match them based on their application material to scholarships that are eligible.”
Moose Abou-Harb, the president of the WWU Associated Student Government, said there is scholarship money not distributed each year because students don't apply for it.
“If there is money to be given out to students, make it as easy as possible for those students to receive the money that they deserve for all of their success,” said Abou-Harb.
For the portal, students will need to fill out the FAFSA or WAFSA. Additionally, students will need to declare a major, pre-major or minor to qualify for most scholarships within an area of study.
Western students Lanssa Gust (left) and Ilsa Wacker (right) working in Western Libraries on April 17, 2025, in Bellingham, Wash. Students like Lanssa and Ilsa can apply for scholarships though the new portal. // Photo By Adah Bassok
Higgins said what students submit in the portal mostly depends on what they are studying.
”Letters of recommendation, their resume, there's also an essay question that they'd have to submit,” Higgins stated.
Abou-Harb said in previous years, students had to dig through different departments and websites to submit the same items multiple times, but with the scholarship portal, everything will get put in one place.
“You put in your major and background, your extracurriculars and then that matches you to every single scholarship that you're applicable for within those range qualifications,” said Abou-Harb.
Sammy Jo Kuney, a Western student, said it was difficult to find scholarships on the old system, or even know where to look.
Kuney heard about the scholarship portal when she saw a post on Instagram about the application.
“If it's helpful for people, I think that’s great,” Kuney said.
Higgins said the portal is for all students at Western and any student needing financial aid to complete their educational ambitions.
“We just want students to have all this financial opportunity, so that they can complete their academic journeys at Western,” said Higgins.
Communications such as application deadlines or reminders will be managed through the portal.
“If the portal keeps going, it'll eventually have more scholarships on it. That'll make it even more valuable,” said Abou-Harb.
Higgins said there have been over 1700 scholarship applications in the new portal.
“By using the centralized system, we can review all sources of student aid, reduce the chances of scholarships going unawarded and promote equity and efficiency,” said Higgins. “It makes it a more fair process and helps students find and access the financial aid they need for their education.”
Abou-Harb said he adores the concept behind the portal.
“Just use it, hope it goes well and hope to see it back next year, hopefully with some more scholarships as well,” said Abou-Harb.
Applications for the portal are due May 4 at 11:59 p.m.
Western students Eva Bifone (left) and Nate Travis (right) talk with each other on the sky bridge in Western Libraries on April 17, 2025, in Bellingham, Wash. Students like Eva and Nate can apply for scholarships in the portal, until it closes on May 4 at 11:59 p.m. // Photo By Adah Bassok
Adah Bassok (she/her) is a campus life reporter for The Front. She is a news and editorial journalism major. Outside of The Front, she can be found hiking, reading, and walking in the sun. You can contact her at adahbassok.thefront@gmail.com
The Front is an independent student newspaper covering Western Washington University, Bellingham and Whatcom County.
