Hourglass: United Way of King County
Jun 8, 2026 · 18 min · 11 segments
Good news happens. This week's episode features a conversation about the Blake Nordstrom Scholarship, which each year provides 20 local college students with $5,000 each for basic needs and other…
Joe BurrusHost
Emily PortilloGuestNo entities detected.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 1980, the cost of a four-year college in the US for a full-time student, including tuition, fees, and room and board, was $10,231 annually.
But even if you have the 30 grand to put toward tuition, fees, and room and board, you probably know that's only part of what makes the college experience so expensive.
According to the Education Data Initiative, students at four-year public institutions pay on average $1,220 annually for textbooks and supplies.
And though tuition is much lower at two-year colleges, students at two-year public schools pay on average of $1,467 each year for books and supplies.
Then there are the cost of living expenses like groceries, laundry, the internet, and transportation.
The Education Data Initiative says that students living on campus at public four-year institutions pay on average $3,790 in additional annual expenses.
Students living on campus at public two-year institutions pay on average of $3,728 in annual expenses, while students living off campus alone pay $4,778 in additional expenses.
It's one of the reasons why the nonprofit news organization The Conversation reported that 48% of community college students said they left school due to cost of living expenses.
Many of those who stay in school agonize over how to pay for expenses and school supplies while still finding ample time and focus for study.
That's why United Way of King County is committed to ensuring that our local college students have all the resources to stay on track toward obtaining their degrees.
In 2022, we partnered with Nordstrom to launch the Blake Nordstrom Scholarship in honor of the department store chain's vice president and community leader.
Since then, each year, the Nordstrom Scholarship provides 20 college students across 10 local college campuses with $5,000 each to cover basic needs and other expenses.
Nordstrom scholarships are available to students enrolled in King County colleges that house United Way Benefits Hubs on their campuses.
Benefits Hubs are one-stop shops for student resources such as utility bill assistance, food access, grocery delivery, housing support, and free tax preparation.
Benefits Hubs are part of United Way's Bridge to Finish program, which employs resources, services, and advocacy to help students complete their education.
Each of the 10 Benefits Hub campuses enroll at least one Nordstrom scholarship recipient annually.
Currently, about 1,000 students apply annually for the scholarships, and recipients are selected from a weighted lottery that factors in levels of need and available options.
Want to hear more about the Nordstrom Scholarship to determine whether you or someone you know is eligible? Hourglass sat down with Emily Partillo, United Way Bridge to Finish senior program manager, for a discussion about her work with the Nordstrom Scholarship, its impact on local students and colleges, and how students can apply right now as applications are being accepted through June 30th.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 1980, the cost of a four-year college in the US for a full-time student, including tuition, fees, and room and board, was $10,231 annually.
But even if you have the 30 grand to put toward tuition, fees, and room and board, you probably know that's only part of what makes the college experience so expensive.
According to the Education Data Initiative, students at four-year public institutions pay on average $1,220 annually for textbooks and supplies.
And though tuition is much lower at two-year colleges, students at two-year public schools pay on average of $1,467 each year for books and supplies.
Then there are the cost of living expenses like groceries, laundry, the internet, and transportation.
The Education Data Initiative says that students living on campus at public four-year institutions pay on average $3,790 in additional annual expenses.
Students living on campus at public two-year institutions pay on average of $3,728 in annual expenses, while students living off campus alone pay $4,778 in additional expenses.
It's one of the reasons why the nonprofit news organization The Conversation reported that 48% of community college students said they left school due to cost of living expenses.
Many of those who stay in school agonize over how to pay for expenses and school supplies while still finding ample time and focus for study.
That's why United Way of King County is committed to ensuring that our local college students have all the resources to stay on track toward obtaining their degrees.
In 2022, we partnered with Nordstrom to launch the Blake Nordstrom Scholarship in honor of the department store chain's vice president and community leader.
Since then, each year, the Nordstrom Scholarship provides 20 college students across 10 local college campuses with $5,000 each to cover basic needs and other expenses.
Nordstrom scholarships are available to students enrolled in King County colleges that house United Way Benefits Hubs on their campuses.
Benefits Hubs are one-stop shops for student resources such as utility bill assistance, food access, grocery delivery, housing support, and free tax preparation.
Benefits Hubs are part of United Way's Bridge to Finish program, which employs resources, services, and advocacy to help students complete their education.
Each of the 10 Benefits Hub campuses enroll at least one Nordstrom scholarship recipient annually.
Currently, about 1,000 students apply annually for the scholarships, and recipients are selected from a weighted lottery that factors in levels of need and available options.
Want to hear more about the Nordstrom Scholarship to determine whether you or someone you know is eligible? Hourglass sat down with Emily Partillo, United Way Bridge to Finish senior program manager, for a discussion about her work with the Nordstrom Scholarship, its impact on local students and colleges, and how students can apply right now as applications are being accepted through June 30th.
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