In the News

Golfers join forces to support college scholarships for foster youth in WA state

October 2, 2023

On a picturesque, summer-meets-fall kind of day, the Honorable Gary Locke and James Dorsey, College Success Foundation President & CEO, welcomed golfers for the 22nd annual Governors’ Cup Golf Tournament. Every year, golfers have united on the greens to raise scholarship funds for alumni of foster care to attend college in Washington state.

The tournament, which benefits The Washington State Governors’ Scholarship for Foster Youth, helps young people in foster care continue their education and earn a college degree. This year’s event raised over $364,000. Since the scholarship’s inception, more than 600 students have received the Governors’ Scholarship for Foster Youth.

The Honorable Gary Locke gives out the day’s golfing awards with Kristopher (top). Later, he meets up with other scholarship recipients, Maggi (left) and Codie (right) during the reception.

A CSF alum and scholarship recipient tells his story

During the evening reception, CSF alum and Washington State Governor’s Scholarship for Foster Youth recipient Kristopher shared his personal story. His remarks focused on how the scholarship gave him access to college and ultimately changed the trajectory of his life. Today, he is a behavioral health counselor who works with children and families. Kristopher graduated with his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington State University and received his master’s degree in psychology from Seattle University.

Governor Christine Gregoire awards Kristopher Wannquist his scholarship in 2012 (left) and Kristopher Wannquist gives his remarks at this year’s reception (right).

We send a special thanks to all of the tournament’s sponsors, including lead sponsor Amazon, and founding sponsors College Spark and KKR.

Governors’ Scholarship for Foster Youth Details

The Washington State Governors’ Scholarship for Foster Youth awards amounts ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 to young people who have navigated the foster care system and are planning to continue their education to earn a college degree. Selected students can access the annual scholarship for up to five years to complete their undergraduate studies. For more information on eligibility criteria, please visit our Governors’ Scholarship for Foster Youth page.

New Scholarship Application Dates

This year, CSF’s scholarship season opens earlier to accommodate the new financial aid window for FAFSA/WASFA which will open in December. The Governors’ Scholarship for Foster Youth application is open now through Thursday, November 30. Supporting documents for the application will be due by Thursday, December 7.