Overview of the KEYS Scholarship Program
It is a goal of Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA) to make it easy for qualified residents living in Low-Income Housing, Public Housing, or in Section 8 households, to start a new career in 6 - 12 months. BHA will help make this possible for our housing program residents by providing a full scholarship towards an obtainable college certification. College level certificates can be used as a way to enter the workforce by giving students the required skills for many jobs.The Knowledge Enables Your Success (KEYS) Scholarship Program, in partnership with Olympic College, was implemented in 2015 and has helped several residents get started on their career path. 

The scholarship is intended to give financial and supportive assistance to adolescents ages 16 and up and any adults receiving BHA housing assistance so that they may become successful in obtaining a college certificate at Olympic College. Credits obtained through most college certificates may be used towards a higher level certificate or degree, if the student chooses to continue school after completing the scholarship program. Winners of  scholarships are selected by the KEYS Selection Committee on the basis of personal motivation, proven ability to be successful in the program, and determination to meet goals.

Partnership with Olympic College
In order to receive the scholarship award, winners must attend an information session for the Steps to Success (S2S) program at Olympic College. The S2S program is a valuable resource designed to help our residents have the tools and resources needed to be successful in school. There is no cost involved in participating in this program so students receiving the scholarship will be encouraged to sign up. S2S members may receive mentoring, peer-to-peer support, access to study labs and study clubs, volunteer opportunities, and some additional skills-building classes paid for through the KEYS scholarship. In some cases, to ensure students are successful in their career certification program, participants may agree to enroll in S2S as a condition of receiving the scholarship.
 
Eligibility

• Residents in good standing in the low income housing programs administrated by BHA.

• Must maintain a minimum grade of 2.0 for each class

 
Requirements of Application

• Choose which college certificate you are interested in from the KEYS scholarship program list.
• Click on the "Apply Now" button below once you are ready to apply.
• Contact a Community Resources Coordinator at 360-479-4600 or go to the Computer Lab at The Summit building (4650 Bay Vista Blvd., Bremerton, WA) if assistance or resources are needed in completing the application.
• Submit a statement of 500 words or less that explains how a scholarship will benefit you and how you are confident you can be successful in taking college level classes. Include any transcripts or test scores, only if applicable.
• Submit two letters of recommendation from professional community members not related to you such as teachers, employers, church leaders, and community program leaders.
• Submit completed application by on-line by: August 9, 2017

Programs
The scholarship will be used to fund specific educational certificates through the Olympic College. Scholarship recipients can choose from the following list of certificate programs:
 

Applications (Software) Server Support: Certificate of Recognition

Bookkeeping Clerk: Certificate of Recognition (Certificate of Completion)
CNA - Nursing Assistant Certificate of Recognition

Customer Service Specialist: Certificate of Recognition

Digital Photography: Certificate of Recognition

Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate: Certificate of Recognition
File and Data Entry Clerk: Certificate of Recognition (Certificate of Completion)

Human Services – Case Aide Certificate of Recognition

Industrial Trades Technician – Helper Certificate of Recognition
Precision Metal Cutting Certificate of Recognition

Technical Support: Certificate of Recognition

Web Page Design Certificate of Recognition
Web Server Development (ASP): Certificate of Recognition

Welding Technology - Aluminum Welding: Certificate of Recognition

For more details about any of these programs, please click the title of the program listed above. Certificate of Recognition's can be very useful in obtaining entry level jobs in various industries. They can also be used towards higher level education including several Associates or Bachelors degrees. Other Certificate of Recognition programs may be considered based on the scholarship recipient's interests and skills and abilities to be successful in the program. Once you are ready to apply for a scholarship for full tuition to one of these programs, click on the "Apply Now" button below.

Award Selection

• A KEYS program committee selects Scholarship recipients through review of completed application materials.
• Application materials demonstrate successful participation in school/community activities.

Delivery of Scholarship Funds

• The scholarship recipient is required to send proof of Olympic College enrollment to the Bremerton Housing Authority, Attn: Community Connections Team, at 4650 Bay Vista Blvd., Bremerton, WA. Proof of enrollment will be the official enrollment form from the college registrar.
• The Scholarship funds will be paid in the recipients’ name directly to the school for tuition and fees before the start of each class during the 2017-2018 academic year. Class books will be purchased by BHA for the student to borrow.
• Upon withdrawal of a class or other circumstances where an enrollment is overpaid, Olympic Collage will send any refunds directly to the Bremerton Housing Authority.
• Up to two full scholarships for specific programs will be awarded during the 2017-2018 school year.

 
Questions? 
 
Call a Community Resources Coordinator at 360-479-4600 or e-mail communityconnections@bremertonhousing.org