Basic Needs at BTC

Background & Context

Over half of students enrolled in public colleges and universities in Washington state experienced basic needs insecurity in 2024, and struggled with food and housing insecurity at high rates, according to the Washington Student Achievement Council Executive Summary. 

Basic Needs Mission

BTC’s mission to achieve a hunger-free and basic needs secure campus leverages programs and resources on and off campus to provide student-centered solutions to food, housing, transportation, and basic needs insecurity through holistic support to meet students’ immediate needs and set them up to maximize support systems and their potential. 

Whatcom Resources

Search Whatcom Resources for support with childcare, emergency, food, goods, housing, money, work, education, health, behavioral health, legal, and transit.

WA 211 Statewide Basic Needs Resource Directory

Dial 211 for directory support or search the WA 211 Website for basic needs resources- food, housing, transportation, mental health, personal items, disabilities, health care, domestic violence, financial support, traumatic brain injury, employment, and education.

• Funding- Cost of Living

  Additional funding sources can be combined with financial aid awards to help income eligible students afford cost of living expenses- housing, food, transportation and utilities. 

  Step One to Secure Additional Funding

  Students must complete the FAFSA or WASFA to be eligible to apply for additional funding. Apply between October 1 and May 15 each year that you are enrolled at BTC. Learn how to apply for FAFSA or WASFA, and which one you should complete. Book an appointment for help with FAFSA/WASFA

  Grants for Income Eligible Students in Career & Technical Programs

  • Workforce Funding Programs at BTC-  funding for tuition, books, tools and supplies. 

  • Washington State Opportunity Scholars- Career & Technical Scholarship- Awards up to $1500 per quarter. 

  • Northwest Workforce Council (NWC)- for more information from BTC staff on how to apply book an appointment to learn more about NWC or email basicneeds@btc.edu 

  More Funding Options at BTC

  • BTC Foundation Scholarships- all BTC students are eligible to apply. Opens April, closes June, awards for following year.

  • Work study-  on campus jobs for eligible students

  • Direct Loan Request form- complete required steps, Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note. Information on federal education loans for students- low interest rates. 

  Other funding sources and relevant programs:

  • Economic Security for All (EcSA) Whatcom and Island County families with children who receive food benefits (SNAP) and are searching for employment or on the job training are eligible to enroll. Incentives for participation. 

  • TANF Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) program that provides temporary stipends for families in need. 

  • Diversion Cash Assistance- DSHS program to address short term needs for those not participating in TANF. 

  • WorkSource WA- job search and job seeker resources

  • More scholarship resources

• Housing

  Student Housing Search

  Student housing listings (Off Campus Housing Marketplace- WWU)

  Affordable Housing

  How do I apply for affordable housing?

  Eligible households can apply for housing programs through the Bellingham/Whatcom County Housing Authority, Catholic Housing Services, and Mercy Housing. (Source: Whatcom Asset Building Coalition)

  Lower Rent

  Housing to Try guide local housing providers who offer rent rates lower than the typical market rate, a list of housing available for renters with low/moderate incomes (Source: Whatcom Asset Building Coalition)

  Vivienda Disponsible Viviendas para conocer en el condado de Whatcom 

  Public Benefits Programs- Housing

  Bellingham Housing Authority- Current Open Waitlists

  What is Section 8 Housing? 

  At Risk or Experiencing Homelessness

  Northwest Youth Services (NWYS)

  Housing resources for ages 24 and under in Whatcom and Skagit counties. Go in person or Submit a NYWS referral form to be contacted by a staff member.

  Housing Pool Intake at Opportunity Council

  Community Resource Center. Opportunity Council locations and hours. Must be currently homeless and meet income eligibility requirements. 

  Homeless Housing- Whatcom Asset Building Coalition

  Resources for Whatcom County residents who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Find shelter and housing.

  DVSAS Safe Housing- Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services

  DVSAS Safe Housing- emergency shelter for families fleeing domestic violence. 24/7 hotline 1-877-715-1563. 

  Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness Grant- BTC

  Eviction prevention and move-in costs. Apply for emergency funding.

• Food

  Food Now

  Student Food Pantry

  G Building Cafeteria, self-serve Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. Staples and basics to supplement weekly groceries for BTC students. Bring your own bags if you can. 

  Food Banks & Meals

  Food & Meal Guide Food banks and meal programs in Whatcom County, (Whatcom Asset Building Coalition & Opportunity Council brochure)

  Bancos de Comida en Whatcom 

  Student Emergency Assistance Grant 

  Students experiencing emergencies that disrupt household budgets and threaten basic needs and food security.  Apply for emergency funding.

  Food Benefits

  Basic Food Benefits (SNAP, EBT, food stamps)

  Check your income eligibility (don't count roommates in your household). According to the USDA most college students are eligible and should apply! Documentation you need to apply for food benefits, page 2. 

  • Book an appointment to access food benefits 

  • Working less than 20 per week? Bypass work requirements for college students to receive SNAP by participating in Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET). Maintain food benefit eligibility while in college, request funds for books, tools, supplies- book a BFET appointment & get a referral to DSHS for SNAP

  • If you don't have a driver's license or another form of ID, you may need a WA state ID to access Basic Food- Access ID Clinic at Opportunity Council. 

  Food Programs for Children

  Women, Infants & Children (WIC)- nutrition program for new mothers and children under 5 

  Sun Bucks- summer food benefits program for children, school aged (8-18 years) and income eligible (qualify for free or reduced meals), in WA state. $120 per child in food benefits. SUN Bucks Customer Service Contact Center at 1-833-543-3230, Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM.

  SNAP Market Match

  Double your buying power at participating farmer's markets, including nearby Twin Sisters Mobile Market on the corner of Northwest and Birchwood on Sunday mornings during the local harvest season June-October. Learn more about SNAP Market Match. 

• Transportation

  Car repair

  BTC Automotive Technology Program

  Car repair services available to the public. 

  Student Emergency Assistance Grant 

  Students experiencing an emergency, such as unexpected non-routine car repair, that disrupts household budgets and threatens basic needs security.  Apply for emergency funding.

  Commute to Campus

  Bus and Carpool 

  Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA)- Trip Planner and bus schedules

  WTA County Connector- public transportation connection between the communities of Bellingham, Burlington, Mt. Vernon, Oak Harbor, Stanwood and Everett.

  Park and Ride- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

  Carpool with RideShareOnline (WTA)- regional commuter options, including personalized list of possible carpool partners

  Bike to Campus

  Campus Parking Map- buildings with covered parking for bicycles: A, C, HC, G, DMC, MC.

  Bus Pass
  

  Free quarterly WTA Bus Pass- Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET) Program- Book a BFET appointment

  Short-Term Bus Pass

  Need a 6-ride WTA bus pass while you're resolving transportation issues? Visit Student Financial Resources in College Services, room 101; or ask as staff member in the food pantry in G building. 

   

• Childcare

  Public Benefits Programs

  Childcare Subsidy Programs in Washington State

  Students who will be new parents and are expecting a child, should waitlist with multiple childcare providers as soon as possible to secure a spot. 

  • Working Connections Childcare- Calculate Co-pay and Find Licensed Childcare Centers and at-home providers

  • Seasonal Childcare-  licensed childcare while parents work in agricultural settings.

  Community Resources

  Community Resources for Childcare (Opportunity Council)- referral specialist contact, emergency childcare assistance, play and learn groups, children with special needs

• Mental Health, Healthcare & Insurance

  Mental Health

  Counseling and Support

  Personal Counseling at BTC- provides free, confidential personal counseling services to enrolled students. Book an appointment with a BTC Counselor

  NAMI Whatcom- support groups for individuals and families living with a mental health condition. All support groups are lead by trained peer volunteers and are completely free to the community.

  Healthcare

  Dental Services

  BTC Dental Clinic 

  Affordable Healthcare Providers

  Planned Parenthood

  Unity Care NW

  Sea Mar Community Health Center

  Health Insurance

  Washington Apple Health (Medicaid)

  In-Person Insurance Navigators and other resources (Whatcom Asset Building Coalition)
  

  Washington Healthplan Finder

  Health Insurance 101

  Health Insurance Basics- definitions of insurance costs p. 4- premium, deductible, etc. (source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services .gov)

   

   

• Campus Community

  Connect with Peers

  In-person connections are especially important for mental health. (Source: National Institutes of Health .gov)

  Student Life

  Log in to Canvas to sign up for the Student Life Canvas Page. Stay informed about student events and activities. Join or start a club or organization. Participate in student government- Associated Students of BTC

  TRIO

  TRIO Student Support Services at BTC is aimed at helping students adjust to college life, succeed in classes, graduate with a degree or certificate, and start a career or transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Workshops, cultural events and student leadership opportunities. A supportive community of BTC students and staff members. Check eligibility for TRIO and apply.

• Technology

  Phone & internet 

  Lifeline discounted phone and internet service. Federal Communications Commission program. Check eligibility and apply for Lifeline 

  Xfinity internet essentials

  Google Fi- cell phones and plans

  Back Market- refurbished electronics, cell phones, tablets, laptops

  Free WiFi Hotspots in WA State- WA State Department of Commerce

  Computers

  On campus laptop loan. Visit the BTC Library in G Building

  C4PIN- Computers for People in Need- local non-profit offering very low cost computers to low-income, disabled, elderly, recovering, veterans, or otherwise disadvantaged community members.

  Goodwill- Job Training and Education 

  Digital skills training- Microsoft Word, Excel, keyboarding, file management, etc. Explore digital skills classes at Goodwill

   

  
  

   

• Emergency Funding

  Emergency Funding at BTC- for students who are currently enrolled and experiencing an emergency, unexpected costs or income loss and are struggling to meet basic needs. 

   

Community Resources- Translated

Opportunity Council- languages located on webpage's banner- Español  русский  عربى  한국어  انگلیسی  ਪੰਜਾਬੀ  українська  ASL, resources for basic needs, food, housing, child care, job skills, WA state ID (Access ID), services for children and babies

Whatcom Asset Building Coalition and Opportunity Council's Community Resource Guides- some translation provided for housing, food, clothing, hygiene and tax resource guides 

Access the Resources

BTC's Student Benefits Navigator supports students facing basic needs insecurity in accessing campus and community resources and applying for programs- including food benefits, food banks and meals, student food pantry, Workforce Funding, emergency funding, childcare subsidy, housing and health insurance referrals, additional grants and scholarships, etc. 

Close the Funding Gap

While completing the FAFSA or WASFA is the first and most important step in securing funding to pay for college, including scholarships and grants, a majority of students who receive need based awards experience a significant gap of need to fund their true cost of attendance. (Source: Washington Student Achievement Council- The Myth of "Full-Ride" Financial Aid.) Staff in Student Financial Resources at BTC including the Student Benefits Navigator work with students to identify and apply for additional funding sources to close the gap. 

Scholarship Season

Step One

Complete FAFSA or WASFA for next academic year 2025-26, required for most scholarships

Apply for Career & Technical Scholarships 

BTC Foundation Scholarships- BTC students only. Now accepting applications, deadline June 30, awards next year

On Campus

Crowdsource Cookbook

Crowdsource Cookbook- created for students, by students. Budget friendly, easy to prepare recipes that include pantry staples; food resources, and more. Submit an entry- recipes, food-related hacks and recommendations. 

Hygiene Products Programs 2024-25

Monday-Thursday, afternoons. Pick up free hygiene products monthly while supplies last. Visit the food pantry in G Building Cafeteria to participate! 

Fresh Produce in the Student Food Pantry

Deliveries of fresh fruit and vegetables on Monday afternoons. Scan student ID & self-serve Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. G Building Cafeteria. Questions? Please feel welcome to ask pantry staff member on duty. 

In the Community

Housing and Childcare

City of Bellingham partners with Opportunity Council to build affordable housing and childcare center

Hygiene Products Programs 2024-25

Monday-Thursday, afternoons. Pick up free hygiene products monthly while supplies last. Visit the food pantry in G Building Cafeteria to participate! 

Location and Hours

Self-Serve
G Building Cafeteria
Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM, Closed on holidays and between quarters

Vision & Mission

Bellingham Technical College (BTC) understands that hunger is a real issue on campus for many students. In response, the Student Food Pantry was created to support students to remain in school and meet their educational goals- ELA, high school diploma, GED, Certificate, Associates and Bachelors degrees.

The Student Food Pantry plays an integral role in BTC’s mission to achieve a hunger-free and basic needs secure campus, leveraging resources and programs on and off campus to provide student-centered solutions to combat food insecurity and supplement food for as many students in need as possible.

How We Deliver

• BTC students founded the food pantry and have provided leadership and oversight since 2017.

• Self-serve shopping model: the pantry restocks product 2-3 times per day Monday-Thursday, morning and afternoon, to ensure we serve as many students as possible with varying school schedules.

• Our partnership with Bellingham Food Bank supplies the pantry with staples- dry goods, frozen protein sources, plant-based protein, canned goods, and some produce including fruit and vegetables on a weekly basis.

• Combined Fund: donations from BTC employees supplement and expand pantry offerings such as fresh produce, no-cook items, and culturally relevant food items.

• Annual Services & Activities Fee Award from ASBTC supports food pantry operations- such as bags, storage bins, etc.

• 2024-25 DEI Award- hygiene products program

• Donations and food drives supported by our community

• Your feedback: Share your suggestions to help improve food pantry services.

Thank you for your support!

Contact

Email your questions about BTC's Student Food Pantry to basicneeds@btc.edu