The Soroptimist International of Anacortes (SIA) Scholarship Program reflects our commitment to education and what is best for women and girls. Our goal is to promote the education of a wide range of worthy students, including continuing education and those re-entering the workforce in our community. While our focus is on women, some scholarships are for both women and men.

Each one-year scholarship has its own unique requirements such as educational status, graduating high school senior, continuing or graduate student, gender, residency, academic achievement and/or financial need.

Scholarships cover various fields of study and are linked below.

College & University Scholarships fund various fields of study and include business, education, health, music, arts, literature, math, science, engineering, marine or environmental studies, and community focused physical or mental health studies.

Skagit Valley College Associate Degree & Vocational-Technical Scholarships fund allied health studies, education and early childhood studies, return-to-work training, industrial or automotive technology, and marine technology as well as general studies or vocational-technical studies that lead to an associate degree, license, or certification.

The Scholarship Program is administered by a committee of club members. Each year the committee offers scholarships in fields that correspond to community needs and seeks to identify individuals in our community who have demonstrated the potential to succeed in their educational goals. The Scholarship Committee manages and administers the Scholarship Program while maintaining the ethical standards of impartial judging. Non-SIA members judge each application and determine awardee selection, according to established criteria and standards. Each year the committee reviews its criteria and standards, the current relevance of each scholarship, and makes adjustments as needed to reach the broadest range of applicants.

Scholarships are funded primarily by sales from the Thrift Shop located at 3rd and “O” Avenue, Anacortes. Sales growth at the Thrift Shop has enabled the club to substantially increase the dollar amount and number of scholarships given over the years.  The Scholarship Program began in 1957 with one $75 scholarship and over the years has awarded approximately $1.5 million in scholarships.

Many of the scholarships currently awarded are named in honor of past contributions by charter club members and club presidents. Their vision and service impacted current SIA programs and Thrift Shop operations. Scholarships are also awarded in memoriam and funded by private legacy donors. 

A list of named scholarships and a brief history of each is provided and linked below.