Downtown Yakima Rotary Scholarships

Yakima Rotary has been awarding Academic Scholarships to local high school students and Vocational Scholarships to high school seniors and non-traditional students for over 50 years. Well over a million dollars has been invested in their educational pursuits. No other single part of our Rotary club has had such a lasting impact on our community.

2021 Academic Scholarship Program Now Open

Applications are being accepted from graduating high school students attending Davis, East Valley, Eisenhower, Highland, LaSalle, Naches Valley, Riverside Christian, Selah, and West Valley High schools, along with homeschooled and Running Start students within those districts.

Nineteen (19) scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each will be awarded. Applications will be evaluated on academic performance, community service and leadership within the school environment, community service and leadership outside the school environment, essay on the importance of community service and leadership, two letters of recommendation, and financial need.

Applications must be postmarked by Monday, March 15, 2021. Finalists will be asked to attend a personal zoom interview with the scholarship committee on April 26th or 28th. Winners will be notified by May 5th.

For the complete list of criteria and the application please click here:

Vocational Scholarship Program is OPEN

The Yakima Rotary Vocational Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that applications for the 2021 Yakima Rotary Vocational Scholarship Awards are being accepted. The scholarship program is open to:

High school students attending Davis, East Valley, Eisenhower, Highland, LaSalle, Naches Valley, Riverside Christian, Selah, and West Valley High schools

Homeschooled and Running Start students in those same districts.

YV-Tech, Stanton Academy, and Yakima On-Line students

And students who are currently attending or will be attending Perry Technical Institute, Heritage University, and Yakima Valley College in Fall of 2021.

Recipients must be enrolled or planning to enroll at a post-high school vocational institution or in a 2-year terminal vocational program at a community college within one year of the scholarship award and at a minimum through the fall quarter of the award year. Student’s completion of the program must result in a degree or certification. Criteria for the scholarship is based upon commitment to one’s chosen career, school and community engagement, evidence of passing grades and progress, financial need, and communication skills. Applications can be found by clicking HERE.

They must be postmarked by Friday, April 16, 2021. All finalists will be asked to participate in an Zoom interview with the Scholarship Committee. Winners will be notified by the first week in June.

To download application, click here.

Mollie Davis Scholarship

In December 2008, Mollie Davis passed away leaving an educational bequest of $20 million dollars to fund two and four-year scholarships to benefit residents of Yakima County. The Mollie Davis Scholarship program awards up to $7,500 a year and up to $30,000 overall toward a Bachelor’s Degree. In addition, we award up to $3,500 a year toward an associate’s degree.

Applicants must be:

U.S. Citizen
Yakima County resident (may be away while attending college)
High school senior, high school graduate, GED certificate holder, or a currently enrolled college student
Enrolled in full-time undergraduate study at a two or four-year college/university pursuing a first associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

The application process is open from December 1 through February 22 each year. A link to the application can be found by clicking here.