Maritime training and credentialing program

Engine Room Training Scholarship

WSDOT is offering Engine Room Training Scholarships. This scholarship creates equal opportunities by removing barriers for people seeking employment with Washington State Ferries.

Applicants may choose any training organization in Washington state that has a Qualified Member of the Engine Department training program.

The funding for this scholarship is currently exhausted and applications are no longer being accepted. More funding may be available in January 2027, and this site will be updated at that time.

Apply if you:

• Are interested in working for Washington State Ferries. 
• Experience financial barriers or any life hardship that prevents you from enrolling in training or gaining employment.

Engine Room Training Scholarship application (PDF 496KB)
(See requirements and examples of training facilities below.)

If approved, you’ll receive:

• Tuition assistance up to $6,250.
• Training to receive a Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED) endorsement.

Note: Those approved for the scholarship will need to work with the training provider to obtain the required sea time to test for the QMED Certification. This scholarship covers tuition costs only.

Applicants must: 

• Be a Washington state resident. 
• Show training enrollment (or show communication with the maritime training entity where enrollment is planned). 
• Plan to start school within six months. 
• Be a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) holder. 
• Have a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) or can show that the credentials have been applied for.

QMED training entities 

Maritime Institute 
Maritime Institute website, phone: 866-300-5984

Seattle Maritime Academy at Seattle Central College 
Seattle Maritime Academy website, phone: 206-934-2647

(or any Washington state school that provides QMED training)