Bellevue College Foundation Brings Students’ Dreams to Life 

Anastasia Taucci, a software development student at Bellevue College, will graduate next year with minimal debt. 

Not all students are so fortunate. Many find themselves in debt when pursuing a college degree. But the Bellevue College Foundation is working to change that.  

To help students reduce debt, the Foundation awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships in the 2024-25 academic year. It is the largest amount the Foundation has awarded in its history.  

Taucci is one of 597 awardees. Thomas Geiger, a Bellevue College transfer student, is another. This year, Geiger received the Symetra Empowers Scholarship and was recognized at the Foundation’s recent Donor and Scholar reception. 

“This scholarship is more than just financial aid to me,” Geiger said at the event. “It’s a lifeline. It’s a reminder that I am seen, that my dreams and my struggles matter, and that there are people out there– people like you – who believe in students like me when we struggle to believe in ourselves.” 

Geiger shared how going back to college after facing homelessness and mental illness has been a key element in seeing his dreams come to fruition. The Foundation awards can be vital to students’ academic success, ensuring they continue on a path toward their degree or certificate even when times are tough. 

Geiger isn’t the only one. 

“This scholarship alleviates the financial burden of my education, allowing me to focus on my studies,” Taucci said of the funding she received. 

Removing Financial Barriers

Bellevue College welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds. Washington’s largest open-access college, it accepts the majority of applicants and offers affordable tuition compared to some four-year universities. For many who thought higher education was beyond their reach, Bellevue College makes it attainable.  

Yet, the financial hurdles standing between students and a college degree can be daunting.  

Nearly a third of students need financial assistance but don’t receive aid. Students from low-income households may struggle to meet expenses.  

“Scholarship funding empowers our students,” said Jessica Trumble, director of scholarships, grants, and programs for the Foundation. “They often juggle studies with jobs or family responsibilities. Scholarships ease the financial strain of completing their education.” 

With scholarship support, students can build workforce skills. They can complete an associate or bachelor’s degree. Ultimately, scholarships help students launch careers. 

Increasing Awards to Help More Students

Over the past three years, the Foundation has more than doubled the scholarship dollars it awards annually. The number of student recipients is up by more than 200%.  

New quarterly awards support health sciences students enrolled in work-based learning programs. Also new are textbook scholarships. These awards help defray the cost of purchasing course materials. 

“Scholarships are more than support for individual students,” explained Trumble. “They are investments in the broader community.”  

When Bellevue College students graduate, they step into vital roles in fields like technology and healthcare. They become part of a skilled workforce.  

Liliana Carmona, a nursing student, received a scholarship that eased her financial burden. As a result, she is building expertise to advance her career.  

“This scholarship is going to empower me to focus on my studies and clinical experiences,” Carmona said. “It’s enabling me to pursue my dream of making a meaningful impact in healthcare.” 

Investing in Success

Scholarships are just one way that the Foundation helps students reach their goals. The Foundation is a nonprofit organization. It raises funds, manages grants, and awards scholarships on behalf of the Bellevue College community. 

Overall, it plans to invest $3.5 to $5 million in the campus this year. Those investments will make a profound positive difference in students’ lives. 

For example, delays in this year’s federal financial aid funds left many students unable to cover tuition and fees. Students needed a way to stay enrolled until financial aid arrived. The Bellevue College Foundation stepped in to help. It set aside $300,000 for bridge funding. To date, 173 students have received bridge funding awards. 

Emergency support isn’t just for students. The Foundation also provides Safety Net funding to staff and faculty members. It offers emergency funding to families who receive childcare at the Early Learning Center as well.  

When faculty and staff need support for campus initiatives, the Foundation can help them, too. Its Mini-Grant program awards up to $25,000 to bolster faculty or staff programs. The $15,000 in Lockwood Foundation Grant funding fosters innovation in teaching. Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards totaling $10,000 honor employees whose work stands out. 

Equipment purchases are also made possible by Foundation donors. This year the Foundation will provide $300,000 to buy a new projector for the planetarium. Another $200,000 will put a canopy over the Early Learning Center’s outdoor play space. The Foundation is also buying the college’s first all-electric vehicle. 

Helping Students Follow Their Dreams

At the heart of the Foundation’s work, though, are scholarships that transform students’ lives. In the current academic year, the Foundation awarded scholarships with values as high as $10,000. 

For aspiring students, a scholarship can be a ticket to attend. Graduates who receive funding may launch their careers without financial pressure. They can prioritize dreams over dollars.  

“Scholarship support enables me to start my career with minimal debt,” explained Taucci. “It gives me the freedom to pursue opportunities that align with my passion rather than solely focusing on financial necessity.” 

Support Students

Donations are vital to help Bellevue College students enroll and complete their degrees. Make a donation or start a scholarship today to empower students to achieve their dreams.