Olympia, WA — To further meet the needs of parenting students, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges has partnered with the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) Aerospace Career Enhancement (ACE) to award $400,000 to five community and technical colleges.
Funded by SPEEA ACE, the childcare assistance awards help parenting students access and complete their aerospace education at Washington’s community and technical colleges. Providing support for childcare enables students to focus more on their studies and worry less about the cost of adequate childcare.
Each of the following colleges will receive $80,000:
- Bellingham Technical College
- Big Bend Community College
- Everett Community College
- Renton Technical College
- Spokane Community College
The funds will be distributed as scholarships of up to $5,000 per year for parenting students enrolled in aerospace or aerospace-related programs. The assistance is designed to be low-barrier and integrated into each college’s broader student support services.
“We know childcare is a major barrier to education, and not just for prospective students but for the retention and persistence of current students,” said Jennifer Dellinger, policy associate for student support programs at the State Board. “Providing funds to support access to childcare is an important piece of ensuring access to education.”
SPEEA represents more than 17,000 engineers, technical workers, pilots, and other aerospace professionals. Many members of the industry’s future workforce are currently pursuing aerospace and technology education at Washington’s community and technical colleges.
The funding will be distributed in Fiscal Year 2026. Total award: $400,000.
