Frequently Asked Questions

• 2023 Redesign Through an Equity Lens

  Since pausing the annual scholarship in 2020 due to COVID-19, Volunteer Services has partnered with the Workforce Development and Planning team to reassess and redesign the Volunteer Scholarship. While honoring its intended purpose, we have worked to align all aspects of the process with Seattle Childrens updated values and commitment to anti-racism, as well as Volunteer Services goal of building a pathway to careers in healthcare for individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

  These updates include:

  • Offering awards twice each year (instead of once)
  • Expanding availability to former and regional clinic volunteers (in addition to currently active hospital volunteers). See the Who Can Apply section for more detail about eligibility requirements
  • Lowering hours requirements to 30 (from 80 or 100)
  • Rating applicants on their demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity and anti-racism
  • Recruiting a diverse selection committee in alignment with our EDI and anti-racism goals

   

  What is Volunteer Services commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging?
  Volunteer Services is committed to increasing access to volunteer opportunities and exposure to careers in healthcare. Our goal in doing so is to increase representation and connections for our patient families with volunteers who have shared lived experiences. We invite all individuals who are underrepresented in healthcare, including Black, Latina/o/e/x, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander applicants to contact us for support with or questions about your application.

  Learn more about Seattle Childrens commitment to health equity and anti-racism here.

• Annual Timeline

  The Volunteer Scholarship will be available twice each year during a winter and summer cycle to align application opening periods with most school breaks.  

   

  

• Who Can Apply?

  Current and former volunteers with at least 30 hours of service at the hospital campus, Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center, South Clinic (Federal Way) or North Clinic (Everett)

  • Applicants must upload a transcript and a picture/screenshot of their intended institutions minimum academic requirements to demonstrate that they are currently meeting them
  • Scholarship funds need to be paid to educational organization within one year of being awarded
  • Applicants can apply once each cycle (two times each year)
  • Winners can be awarded only once
  • This scholarship is only available to current and former volunteers with at least 30 documented hours who have onboarding through the Volunteer Services program. It is not available to Seattle Childrens Research Institute (SCRI), Bargain Boutiques (retail), Foundation and Guild Association, event and group volunteers, playroom or special guests, interns, Family Advisors, anyone receiving a stipend or school credit for their service, or other volunteers not listed.
• How Much Will Be Awarded?

  One winner will be awarded $2500 during each winter and summer cycle annually, for a total of two awards per year.

  This money needs to be paid to the awardees educational organization within one year of being awarded and can only be used to cover the cost of tuition, class fees, books, and/or other required materials.

  Each May we will review available endowment funds and may adjust scholarship amount for the following 12 months (summer and winter cycles) to ensure that the scholarship remains available in perpetuity. If the amount changes, we will update the website at that time.

• How Do I Apply?
  1. Review eligibility requirements and resources for support
  2. Click here to apply when applications are open: Volunteer Scholarship Application
  3. Volunteer selection committee reviews applications and invites 3-5 top candidates to an individual 30-40 minute interview.
  4. Winner is announced by phone, email and mailed letter. All applicants who were not selected will be notified by email.
  5. Seattle Children's will pay the award amount to the educational institution for the cost of tuition, books, class fees, and/or other required course materials.
• Resources for Support
  Join an upcoming virtual informational session:

  • Tuesday, December 12, 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
  • Monday, December 18, 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM
  • Thursday, January 4, 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM

   

  To join via Webex (through a browser or the Webex app), click here at the time of the session: https://seattlechildrens.webex.com/meet/alexa.vanselow

  • Meeting Number: 806 382 259
  • Meeting Password: Volunteer
  • Call-in phone number (for audio): 1-650-479-3207
    If you are not able to use the internet to access Webex, please contact volunteerservices@seattlechildrens.org or call 206-987-4655 to get support by phone or in person.

   

  Contact Volunteer Services with questions at VolunteerServices@seattlechildrens.org or 206-987-4655.
  

• Volunteer Scholarship Selection Commitee

  The scholarship committee will include five Seattle Children's workforce members representing Volunteer Services, Talent Acquisition, Inclusion Networks, and Volunteers. Scholarship award selection will be based on interest in healthcare or related field, commitment to health equity and anti-racism, academic potential, and leadership ability. Volunteer Services' goal is to build a pipeline to education and employment in healthcare for volunteers who identify as being from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

• History

  As a devoted member of the Seattle Children's Interlaken Guild and proponent of continuing education, E. Nannette Strahl crocheted blankets for babies to take home from the hospital and opened her home to board college students in healthcare. Her daughter, Bernice Strahl Caverly, established the E. Nannette Strahl Scholarship in 1968 and a second scholarship known as the Bernice Strahl Caverly Scholarship in 1986. These were eventually combined to become the E. Nannette Strahl and Bernice Strahl Caverly Scholarship, also referred to as the Volunteer Scholarship.