PNACAC Student Scholarship FAQ

The Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling (PNACAC) annually awards one-time scholarships to students planning to attend a regionally accredited college or university.

Below are frequently asked questions about this scholarship. Answers are in bold. If you have additional questions, contact the Scholarships & Awards Chair.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Am I eligible if I am already attending a four-year institution? No.
  • Am I eligible if I attend a high school outside of Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Washington? No.
  • Am I eligible if I enroll at a two-year or four-year institution outside of Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Washington? No.
  • Can I apply if I have already been awarded the Student Scholarship in a past year? No.
  • Are homeschooled seniors eligible? Yes.
  • If I plan to take a gap year, when should I apply: as a senior, or the spring before I enroll? The spring before enrolling.
  • What if I haven’t committed to a college by the time I apply for the scholarship? No problem! We will collect information from recipients in late May using a form that will be sent to you through the email address you provide on the application.
  • I have been accepted into a two-year or four-year college in one of the five eligible PNACAC states, but I have not registered for my classes nor made a deposit. At what point in my process am I considered enrolled? Once you make a deposit to a single school you plan to attend, you are considered enrolled. Make sure to watch your email in late May so you can provide the needed information in order for us to send the scholarship funds to your college or university.

THE APPLICATION

  • Where can I find the link to the application? Click the blue "Application" button on this page.
  • What happens if I submit more than one application? We request that you only submit one application. In the case that you do submit multiple applications, we will only review the latest version and will not consider earlier submissions. Read the instructions carefully and be sure to take your time when completing the application and video.

VIDEO SUBMISSION

  • How should I publish my YouTube video? Unlisted. Read instructions from Google for how to do this.
  • Can I use other video platforms like Vimeo, TikTok, or Instagram? No. For the sake of consistency, we require you to use YouTube.
  • Is it possible for me to resubmit a corrected video to meet the requirements? Students are strongly encouraged to take the time to create multiple takes to ensure they are satisfied with their final selection for submission and that it meets the requirements before submitting the YouTube link in the application. If you must submit multiple applications, only the latest version will be reviewed.

SELECTION PROCESS

  • When and how will I find out if I am selected as a winner? Winners will be announced each year at the Awards Banquet at the Spring PNACAC Conference, typically in late May. Applicants will be notified of their selection by email the week following the conference.
  • Do you use a rubric to review applicants? Yes, our selection committee use a rubric to ensure fair decisions.
  • What wisdom can you share that would help students create an effective video? We suggest doing multiple takes before choosing your best video to upload to YouTube. Videos will be judged on message, originality, and focus. With a one minute maximum time limit, students who have an outline to help them stay concise and focused have the most success. With that said, those who deliver their thoughts naturally, instead of clearly reading a script, tend to be more successful. Students do not need to be experienced videographers or editors and no fancy camera or special equipment is required. Just simply use your phone or borrow a friend’s!
  • Who sits on the committee that makes decisions regarding Student Scholarship Award selections? Each year, the Scholarships & Awards Chair recruits and maintains a committee that reflects the diversity of the Association membership and student population we serve to review nominations. Association membership is primarily made up of high school counselors, college admissions professionals, and community-based organization professionals. The exact composition of the committee may change year by year because of this fact.

SCHOLARSHIP DISBURSEMENT

  • Does the scholarship go directly to the college or university I enroll at? Yes.
  • What information do you need to disburse my scholarship to the school I enroll at? Recipients will be sent an email in late May with a link to a form, which must be submitted by the fall with the following information: full legal name, college attending name, college student ID number, and student’s contact information (home address, email, and preferred phone number).
  • Is the Scholarship renewable? No.