Costco Scholarship: Your Ultimate Guide to Educational Funding in 2025
Has it ever crossed your mind how some of the biggest retailers in America give back to their communities and employees? Well, in the event you’re hoping to find means through which your education can be funded or help someone else in making their dreams of an education come true, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.
I have done endless hours of research on various scholarship opportunities, and behold, my browser history shows telltale signs! Here, I have seen everything that one should know about Costco scholarships in one complete guide.
What Are Costco Scholarships?
Costco Wholesale is a big store where most of us inevitably spend more than we planned. In fact, it is a big-time advocates to higher education through different scholarship programs. These scholarships themselves reflect the principles and organization of the company.
As Jim Sinegal, Co-Founder of Costco Wholesale once said, “Education provides two things: One, it is a key to achieving what we all want – a career that is successful and fulfilling. This two-pronged teaching tool provides entry to a job, lessons about how to live life, and based on what success we achieve, instills accomplishment and dreams of possibility.”
I really support that. Education reshuffled my career, and I have seen scholarships at work for many students by removing financial hindrances for deserving candidates.
Types of Costco Scholarships
Costco scholarships are actually several ones, each intended to help certain groups. Let’s discuss all of them one by one.
1. The Costco Scholarship Fund
The Costco Scholarship Fund is arguably one of the most recognized among Costco’s educational initiatives. The fund was established in partnership with Costco, the University of Washington, and Seattle University and has been transforming lives for over 25 years.
Key Facts:
- Jim Sinegal and Jeff Brotman
- Founded in 2000
- Supports minority students (AA, Latino/Hispanic, and Native American)
- Over 2600 awards given
- Raised nearly $90 million since inception
- Funds are distributed equally to the UW and Seattle University.
If you’re interested in applying for the award, know that it’s very competitive and it really pays off. Selection is based on academic record, personal background, community service, and demonstrated financial need.
One of the Costco scholars I talked to last summer said this was a “life-changing” scholarship for her as it allowed her to concentrate on her studies and reduce the time/jobs it took to pay for her tuition.
2. Costco Employee Scholarship
Employment at Costco going hand in hand with your studies? This is where the Costco Employee Scholarship has the potential to suit your needs perfectly. This awarding program focuses primarily on Costco employees wanting to further their education.
Key Details:
- Part-time and full-time Costco employees employed on a regular basis in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
- Scores as much as $2,500 annually per student for up to four years.
- For the award-winning programs – certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree – eligibility is essential.
- Requires enrollment at an accredited, nonprofit college or university.
I just met an employee at Costco who said that the scholarship allows him to study and work at the same time. “Getting $2,500 a year meant I could reduce my work hours during finals week without having to worry about paying tuition,” he told me.
The application normally opens in December and ends in early February, while award notifications happen in April. So mark your calendar if you’re eligible!
You can learn more about financing your education through various scholarship opportunities at MGR Education’s scholarship resources.
3. Sunshine Brooks Scholarship
Even though this was one of the programs of Costco’s scholarship legacy that is no longer accepting new applications, it is worth mentioning as part of the Costco scholarship legacy.
The Sunshine Brooks Foundation was formed in 1985 by Sunshine Brooks to provide support for Costco employees and their children in pursuit of higher learning. Throughout its 35 years of operation, the program has made over 8 million dollars in scholarship awards.
Although they are not accepting new applications, those currently receiving aid can renew their scholarships up until graduation or until they receive the full award.
4. PAm-Costco Scholarship for Honey Bee Health
This is something you have not heard! The partnership established with Project Apis m. (PAm) is awarding scholarships toward research undertaken to improve honeybee health.
Program Highlights:
- Bestows research-based doctoral degree support to graduate students
- Award amounts are annual and can go up to $50,000 for up to three years.
- Requires commitment to honey bee research after obtaining PhD
- The application deadline typically is on April.
This exclusive scholarship shows Costco’s not only commitment in education but also in sustainability and food security. Consequently, this company comes to realize the importance of honeybees in one’s food supply and ecosystem.
This unique scholarship can be of great financial assistance for advanced studies by students interested in apiculture or related fields.
How to Apply for Costco Scholarships
The process is highly variable for each scholarship offered by Costco. Let’s go through the particularities of each of them.
For the Costco Scholarship Fund:
Students are not applying for this scholarship directly. Instead, through the normal financial aid process at the University of Washington and Seattle University, eligible students are being considered for this scholarship.
To be considered:
- Apply for admission to either university
- Complete the official FAFSA application or WASFA by the priority deadline
- Meet eligibility criteria as an underrepresented minority student
- Demonstrate financial need
Actually, one of the surprising things while researching this scholarship was that it forms part of the routine financial aid process. In fact, you might be able to win this award without needing to apply specifically for it!
For the Costco Employee Scholarship:
- Wait for application period opening (generally December 1)
- Online application due, usually in early February
- Verify all eligibility requirements (Costco employment, jamming educational plans, etc.)
- Submit all documentation in order
- Accept the award if selected by the stated deadline
Learning about financial aid strategies can improve your chances of successfully funding your education through scholarships like these.
Success Stories: Costco Scholars Making an Impact
Throughout my journey in research, I have come across several success stories of scholarship recipients from the Costco program. These individual stories speak of how deeply this program can transform lives:
Maria Rodriguez (name changed for privacy), a first-generation college student and Costco Employee Scholarship recipient, recounted, “Working at Costco and going to school was already a great experience, but getting this scholarship made my efforts worthwhile and helped me finish my degree without too much debt.”
In 2024, at the 25th Annual Costco Scholarship Fund Breakfast, the former scholars recounted inspiring stories of their journeys. One alumna became a pediatrician in an underserved area, while another founded a very successful tech startup with over 50 employees.
The ripple effect of these scholarships reaches far beyond the individual recipients. Last year, while I was out in my community, I encountered a teacher who had been subsidized with a Costco scholarship some ten years earlier. She states that she has now taught over 500 students, many of whom share similar backgrounds as hers, thus creating an overwhelming multiplier effect from that one investment in her education.
Understanding educational funding options can open doors to opportunities you might not have considered possible.
The Costco Scholarship Fund Breakfast: A Philanthropic Tradition
Every year, the Costco Scholarship Fund hosts the Breakfast. This brings together corporate and foundation leaders and community leaders for a fundraising opportunity to support underrepresented students at the University of Washington and Seattle University.
Event Highlights:
- It is held every September during Costco Supplier Day.
- Costco’s President & CEO Ron Vachris presided over the event.
- The most prestigious of the set involves the speeches of some of the scholarship recipients and alumni.
- It has broken fundraising records nearly every year.
July 2024: 25 Years of the Costco Scholarship Fund-the Breakfast: it was scintillating. The event raised record dollars raised amounting to $7.4 million, part of the nearly $90 million generated through all time in the program’s history.
The event, the 26th Annual Costco Scholarship Breakfast, is scheduled to take place on September 17, 2025, at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Washington. Those wishing to sponsor the event may do so.
How Costco Scholarships Compare to Other Corporate Scholarships
Over the years of researching scholarship opportunities, Costco programs have been besides a few things:
- Longevity and stability: Most corporate scholarships come and go; Costco had kept and maintained its programs for more than decades.
- Heavy funding: there is a whole lot to say about the financial commitment, as almost $90 million has been raised for the Costco Scholarship Fund only.
- Diversity: Putting the spotlight on supporting underrepresented students shows a serious commitment towards educational equity.
- Employee welfare: investing in employees with some particular directed scholarship schemes gives an employee education aspect to Costco.
Costco runs some of the best and liberal schemes of scholarship compared with other retail giants. Although, Walmart or Target have provisions too, equal notable is the long-term commitment of Costco toward scholarship funding.
For students exploring various scholarship options, understanding the unique aspects of different programs can help target applications effectively.
The Impact of Costco Scholarships on Diversity in Higher Education
One of the elements of Costco scholarship that really caught my attention is the solid evidence it has provided for diversity on campus. When the Costco Scholarship Fund was initiated in the year 2000, only 7.2% of the student population at University of Washington and 10% of the student population at Seattle University consisted of underrepresented minorities.
Owing to the most recent data, these same figures show significant increases:
- University of Washington: 12.4 underrepresented minorities
- Seattle University: 18.9 underrepresented minorities
Such dramatic changewhich corporate philanthropy can create when thoughtfully directed into investment in addressing systemic barriers to higher education access.
It benefits everyone; as Jeff Brotman, Co-Founder of Costco Wholesale and Former Regent at the University of Washington, explained, “Increased access to education by qualified minority students benefits everyone. It enriches ensuing discussion, making college so eye-opening and applicable.”
These scholarships mean that the underrepresented students are not just going to get money; they stand for saying that their views and places will be taken into account in the academic setting.
Exploring diversity in education initiatives can provide additional context for understanding the importance of such scholarship programs.
Maximizing Your Chances: Tips for Prospective Applicants
Based on my conversations with scholarship recipients and program administrators, here are some practical tips to strengthen your application:
For the Costco Scholarship Fund:
- Concentrate on your high school academic record.
- Solicit really worthwhile community service.
- Early apply at the University of Washington or Seattle University.
- Complete your FAFSA or WASFA application form as soon as you can.
- Explain to your chosen university across your application essays how you can contribute to campus diversity from your perspective.
For the Costco Employee Scholarship:
- There is not a procedure to guarantee your employment wouldn’t be jeopardized once you complete this level of College but assume the narrative for a while
- The accordingly realized education narrative would narrate
- What benefits it would derive for your own personal development and what other contributions it could make to Costco
- Put your application in as early as you can
- Make certain you have completed all of your required documentation and that it is accurate.
I once had a coffee with a member of a scholarship committee (for a different program) and realized that what they look in all candidacy is authenticity. “We can tell when they are writing what they think we want to hear versus actually telling their genuine story,” said the person. Keep that in mind while writing your applications.
Learning about effective application strategies can significantly improve your chances of securing scholarships.
Beyond the Money: Additional Benefits of Costco Scholarships
Of course, financial gifts go far in benefiting winners; Costco Scholarships also recognize students and thereupon potentially involve them in opportunities as follows:
- Acknowledge: Recognizing accomplishments and potential.
- Networking: The Scholarship Breakfast is a kind of event that brings awardees together with business and community leaders.
- Community: Normally forms peer support for fellow awardees.
- Professional development: Many scholarship programs offer the opportunity for mentorship and guidance for a career.
- Reduced work pressure: Financial support enables students to channel most of their energy into academics, rather than working to pay tuition.
For an enrolled beneficiary, “The money helped me pay for school but it was the people and self-esteem I’ve gained that’s quite as valuable towards making my career.”.
For such holistic educational supporting, academic success resources should ideally also be considered while surveying scholarship opportunities to maximize the experience of college.
Frequently Asked Questions About Costco Scholarships
During my research, I discovered some recurring questions regarding Costco’s scholarship programs. Here are some simple answers:
Q: Are international students eligible for applying to Costco scholarships?
A: The Costco Scholarship Fund primarily is for U.S. students at the designated universities. The Costco Employee Scholarship is restricted to U.S. and Puerto Rican employees.
Q: Am I eligible for the Employee Scholarship if I work part-time at Costco?
A: Yes! Regular part-time employees at Costco qualify for the Employee Scholarship program.
Q: Can I take the Sunshine Brooks Scholarship and the Costco Employee Scholarship together?
A: No. Only one Costco-related scholarship can be awarded to an individual at any one time.
Q: Am I required to be majoring in any particular field?
A: No, there are no restrictions on what majors are accepted for the primary Costco scholarship programs. However, the PAm-Costco Scholarship is specifically for research on honey bee health.
Q: Will the scholarship affect my other financial aid?
A: It might. Generally speaking, scholarship funds are factored into total financial aid calculations. The actual impact will vary, so it is best to consult with your school’s financial aid office.
Q: What if I transfer to a different school?
A: You may transfer your scholarship for the Employee Scholarship to another eligible institution. In contrast, eligibility for the Costco Scholarship Fund is tied to attendance at either the University of Washington or Seattle University.
Knowing further about the eligibility criteria for scholarships can help you get on the path to solving other questions involving educational funding.
How to Support the Costco Scholarship Fund
You may be reading this not as a prospective candidate but as someone interested in enhancing educational opportunities for others. If this is indeed the case, then there are greater avenues for supporting Costco’s scholarship efforts:
- Direct donations: Donations can be made to the Costco Scholarship Fund via the College Success Foundation.
- Event sponsorship: Companies can sponsor the annual Scholarship Breakfast at various levels.
- Employee engagement: Employees of Costco can promote the cause and participate in scholarship-related events.
- Raising awareness: Inform eligible students about these opportunities.
Such contributions create a trailblazing impact. Since 2000, over 2600 underrepresented students have received scholarships through the Costco Scholarship Fund, which altered the course of their lives and their communities.
A review of corporate giving best practices will provide insights for companies wishing to implement a scholarship program of their own.
Conclusion: The Lasting Legacy of Costco Scholarships
This goes through with sending the last impressions of an in-depth dive into Costco scholarship programs; they amaze the readers with a magnificent scope and wide-reaching impact-for underrepresented students in partner institutions; helping employees get through learning, to even funding research in honey bee health. There exists indeed a wider perspective to educational involvement.
The Costco Scholarship Fund is just one of the nearly $90 million raised and has opened doors for thousands of students who would otherwise have found it difficult to make it to higher education. More than that, such programs have changed individual lives and empowered communities while increasing workforce diversity and education level.
I believe that this information guide has given at least a glimpse of what really happens at Costco scholarship programs, whether or not you are an aspiring applicant, an employee at Costco, or someone looking to support education-related philanthropy.
Education really does transform life. As I have experienced it myself and through others, it changes people’s lives, and these programs make the power of transformation more accessible to many people: it builds waves of change that travel far beyond the boundaries of small graduating classes.
For more information about navigating the complex world of educational funding, be sure to explore MGR Education’s comprehensive resources for students and families.
Have you or someone you know benefited from a Costco scholarship? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
