Workforce Funding & Student Support

• Welding
• Electrician, HVAC, Precision Machining
• Instrumentation, Process Technology
• Automotive Technology, Diesel Mechanics
• Surgery Technology, Radiology Technology, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, or Dental Assistant

• Are 18 or older.
• Have earned less than an associate’s degree.
• Are a Washington resident of at least one year.
• Completed the FAFSA, which shows financial need.
• Are highly motivated and committed to your educational and career goals.
• Have a family income within eligibility guidelines. This income chart will help you determine if you meet this qualification.

  Family Size: 1

  Annual Gross Income: $24,120

  Family Size: 2

  Annual Gross Income: $32,480

  Family Size: 3

  Annual Gross Income: $40,840

  Family Size: 4

  Annual Gross Income: $49,200

  Family Size: 5

  Annual Gross Income: $57,560

  Family Size: 6

  Annual Gross Income: $65,920

  • For each additional person, add $8120 annually

• Tuition and fees for 45 college credits.
• $1,000 for required books and tools.

• Check to see if you are eligible for other Workforce Funding programs

• Schedule an appointment with the Opportunity Grant Coordinator by email oppgrant@btc.edu or by calling 360-752-8461.
• Drop-in hours for Opportunity Grant: Mondays 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. and Thursdays 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

• Were laid off or have received a layoff notice.
• Receive or are eligible for unemployment benefits.
• Have exhausted unemployment benefits within the last four years.
• Were self-employed but closed a business due to economic conditions.
• Have been discharged from the Armed Forces within the last four years.
• Active duty received separation papers from the military.
• Lives or works, or has lived or worked, in a county declared a disaster area at the time of a disaster within the last 24 months, and whose employment situation was impacted by the disaster.
• Qualify as a displaced homemaker:
  • An individual who has been providing unpaid services to a family member(s) in the home and who:
  • Has been dependent on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income; and
  • Is unemployed or underemployed, and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment.
• Qualify as a vulnerable worker:
  • A currently employed individual who requires retraining and meets two of the following three criteria:
    • Is employed in an occupation that is listed as "not in demand" on the region’s Demand-Decline List.
    • Has not yet reached the "tipping point", of one year (45 credits) and a certificate or degree related to their college coursework.
    • Is unable to meet new skill standards of current employment without retraining.

• Funds to cover tuition and books (may not cover 100%) during your first quarter at BTC. Additional program book costs may be covered contingent on WRT funding levels.
• You may be eligible for waitlist priority — ask the Worker Retraining Coordinator to see if you qualify.
• Assistance coordinating with other agencies, programs and funding sources to pay for the rest of your program, and to keep you in good standing with Employment Security if you receive unemployment benefits.

• Contact Kori Olsen by email KOlsen@btc.edu or by calling 360-752-8492.

• Schedule an appointment with BTC Worker Retraining Coordinator by email wrt@btc.edu or by calling 360-752-8492.
• Drop-in hours for Worker Retraining:
  • Mondays 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • Tuesdays 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Thursdays 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Located in College Services (CS) Room 102

• WorkSource scholarships for dislocated workers of up to 2 years may also be available for students already admitted to a program of study in a high demand field—be sure to ask about this if you are admitted to your program (prerequisites are completed).

• You are receiving or eligible to receive federal Basic Food Benefits. Find out if you qualify.
• You are not receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).

• Students enrolled in Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant and who have other sources of non-federal aid (state grant, scholarships).
• Students who are required to work with BFET to receive DSHS child subsidy or to be in college.

• Child care subsidy.
• Continued Basic Food Benefits while you’re in school.
• Financial assistance with college-related expenses.
• Loan of books for general education and prerequisite classes.

1. Stop by our office or call 360-752-8468 to schedule an appointment with BFET Coordinator
2. Meet with BFET Coordinator
3. Complete BFET 101 Enrollment Services. You must meet with BFET Coordinator priour to completing this step.

Learn more about BFET:

Frequently Asked Questions

• You are a parent receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).
• You were referred by the DSHS caseworker.
• You have completed the DSHS Comprehensive Evaluation.
• Find out if you qualify.

• Tuition, fees, and books, depending on other aid available to you.
• WorkFirst Work Study job.
• Child care subsidy through Working Connections Childcare (DSHS).
• 1:1 support in educational planning, funding, and other strategies to help you succeed at BTC.

• Contact your TANF Caseworker at DSHS to become eligible for TANF, contact DSHS or go to washingtonconnection.org.
• If you and your DSHS Caseworker determine that training at BTC is your next step, your Caseworker will refer you to an orientation session at BTC.

• Schedule an appointment with the Workforce Funding Coordinator by email or by calling 360-752-8442.

• Spend at least one year in foster care in Washington state after their 16th birthday
• Emancipate from care on or after January 1, 2007
• Enroll at least half-time in an eligible college by their 22nd birthday
• Maintain Washington residency
• Be working toward earning their first degree or certificate