Financial aid is available to eligible students who enroll in certificate and degree programs; but not all programs are eligible. Apply early and meet priority dates to have the best likelihood of being eligible for maximum funding each year.

You must demonstrate financial need to be eligible for most assistance. Financial aid is designed to cover the gap between your own financial resources (savings, income, help from parents or guardians, etc.) and school expenses. Financial Aid can be grants, scholarships, low-interest loans, and student employment.

Apply between October 1 and May 15 each year that you are enrolled at BTC. Please be sure to activate your BTC email. BTC Student Financial Resources correspondence will be sent to the email address that you listed on the FAFSA.

The 2025-2026 FAFSA application (for attendance between Summer 2025 and June 2026) is now open. Any updates regarding timeline will be posted on the StudentAid.gov website.

The 2025-2026 WASFA is expected to be available in December.

Processing Updates:

As of March 20, 2025, we are determining eligibility for students who have submitted all required 2024-2025 documents and are enrolled in Fall and Winter quarter classes.  Awarding for Spring students will begin when Spring enrollment opens.  

Students are prioritized by date of quarterly enrollment and FAFSA/WASFA application competition date.  Students who submitted FAFSA/WASFA after the priority deadline may need to secure alternate methods of payment for tuition to ensure they are not dropped for non-payment.  If students are determined to be eligible, they will receive eligible aid retroactively.

Check your FAFSA status at studentaid.gov

Delays in processing from Department of Education may affect our review of your eligibility. It is important to file your FAFSA, check back regularly on its status, and make any required corrections.

Check your FAFSA Submission Summary to see if there are any messages and respond accordingly. Ensure your FAFSA is signed by all contributors and that you have a Student Aid Index (SAI) noted on your FAFSA Submission Summary.  

To receive most types of financial aid, you will need to complete the following steps.  You are encouraged to begin these steps approximately two months before you plan on attending.

1. Submit your application for financial aid (FAFSA/WASFA)

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) IF ONE of the following applies to you (the student):

• U.S. Citizen
• U.S. permanent resident with a Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as a "Green Card")
• Conditional permanent resident (I-551C)
• Eligible non-citizen with I-94
• Students in default with their Federal Student Loan may qualify for the Fresh Start Initiative.

Complete a Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) if the following apply to you (the student):

• Graduated from a Washington high school or obtained a GED and lived in Washington for three calendar years.
• You do not qualify for federal financial aid and are unable to submit a FAFSA.  There are various reasons a student may not qualify for federal financial aid such as being undocumented, immigration status or owing a repayment on Pell Grant. 

Be aware that there may be two FAFSA/WASFA applications open at the same time. The following shows which application to complete based on the quarter you will attend.

• If you plan to attend Summer 2024 through Spring 2025, complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA or WASFA, available now.

• If you plan to attend Summer 2025 through Spring 2026, complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA or WASFA, anticipated available December 1, 2024.  

2. Check your Financial Aid & submit documents

• About one week after submitting your financial aid application, log into ctclink to view your financial aid status and to review documents that are required.  You will also receive an email to notify you when documents are required. 

• Items listed under "Information We Need From You" must be submitted before your financial aid will be determined.  Use the link in the portal to access required forms.

• Financial aid awarded to you will be listed under "My Awards".

3. Set up your refund preference

• BTC delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc.

• To receive a refund in a timely manner, you must select your refund preference using the information mailed to you.

• Your refund can be used for educational expenses such as books, supplies, housing, food and transportation. Contact the Student Financial Resources office if you did not receive refund information by mail.

4. Maintain your eligibility

• Financial aid is generally awarded based on full-time enrollment level (12+ credits).  If you plan to enroll for fewer than 12 credits, notify our office by submitting an email to finaid@btc.edu.  Adjustments are made through the 10th day of each quarter.

• Your academic progress is monitored quarterly.  To remain eligible for financial aid, you must meet the requirements outlined in the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.

• If you decide to withdraw from one or more credits, you may owe a repayment of some or all of the financial aid you received.

Need help understanding FAFSA and WASFA? See videos, FAQs, helpful links and more at BTC's FAFSA/WASFA Resources page.

Students who meet the general dates below and are enrolled will receive priority consideration for financial aid. Some types of funding are limited and are only awarded to students who apply early. Students who meet these dates will also be notified of their eligibility before the start of the quarter. 

Please see BTC's Calendar for quarterly specific dates and information.  

• Summer Quarter Dates

  Submit FAFSA/WASFA - May 1

  Enrollment level change (for students enrolling < 12 cr.) - June 1

  Submit Verification documents - June 1

  Independency and Special Circumstances petitions - June 1

  Satisfactory Academic Progress petition - ASAP

  BFET onboarding - June 10

  BFET funding request - July 12

• Fall Quarter Dates

  Submit FAFSA/WASFA - June 1

  Enrollment level change (for students enrolling < 12 cr.) - July 1

  Submit Verification documents - July 1

  Independency and Special Circumstances petitions - July 1

  Satisfactory Academic Progress petition - ASAP

  BFET onboarding - August 26

  BFET funding request - October 4

• Winter Quarter Dates

  Submit FAFSA/WASFA - October 1

  Enrollment level change (for students enrolling < 12 cr.) - November 1

  Submit Verification documents - November 1

  Independency and Special Circumstances petitions - November 1

  Satisfactory Academic Progress petition - ASAP

  BFET onboarding - December 15

  BFET funding request - January 17

• Spring Quarter Dates

  Submit FAFSA/WASFA - February 1

  Enrollment level change (for students enrolling < 12 cr.) - March 1

  Submit Verification documents - March 1

  Independency and Special Circumstances petitions - March 1

  Satisfactory Academic Progress petition - ASAP

  BFET onboarding - March 11

  BFET funding request - April 18

Eligibility & how need is determined

After receiving your application for financial aid, we determine the types of funding and amounts for which you qualify. We use the Student Aid Index (SAI), income, assets and family size to determine eligibility. Need-based financial aid, such as grants, is provided to students from low- to middle-income households. Some types of grants are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Non-need-based financial aid, such as certain types of loans and scholarships, may be available to students who apply.

Student Aid Index (SAI)

Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is an index number used to determine your eligibility for federal student financial aid. This number results from the financial information you provide in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). Your SAI is calculated according to a formula established by law and considers your family’s federal tax information (FTI) that is retrieved directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Your SAI is used to determine the types and amount of financial aid you qualify for.

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the amount of money you may need to attend BTC for a period of time. The COA includes direct school expenses as well as an allowance for basic living expenses. The COA can vary depending on your program and other factors. You are encouraged to review your own expenses to determine if there are ways you reduce expenses or if there are expenses not included. Students may contact the Student Financial Resources office if they would like to discuss their need for adjustments to their COA.

Example for a WA Resident attending full-time (15+ credits) for three quarters.

Direct expenses

Indirect expenses

Calculate whether you have enough financial aid

Most BTC students utilize a combination of financial aid and other sources of income to cover their expenses. This is a valuable strategy to limit the amount of debt from borrowing loans. After receiving your offer of financial aid, carefully review the amounts listed and compare it to your expenses to assess your financial circumstances. Use this Budget Worksheet to help.

Learn more about a variety of ways to finance college through grants, scholarships, and FAFSA by activating your free ionTuition account!

Federal Pell Grant

Pell Grants are awarded to help with educational expenses. Like all grants, Pell Grants do not have to be repaid.

Federal SEOG Grant

The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded to high-need, Pell Grant-eligible students who apply early, as funds are limited. It does not have to be repaid.

Washington College Grant

Available for Washington residents only, eligibility for this grant is determined by FAFSA or WASFA information and is adjusted for less than full-time enrollment. It will not exceed tuition and fees for each quarter, and does not have to be repaid.

Scholarships

Scholarships are provided by Bellingham Technical College Foundation, and other organizations and donors, based on certain criteria.

Work Study

Students who are legally able to work in the US and are enrolled at least half time can pay for education-related expenses through the Work Study program. On-campus, part-time positions are available through the Student Financial Resources office.  Visit our Work Study page or call 360-752-8351 for more details.  

Student Loans

Money students may borrow to finance their education. Loans accrue interest and must be paid back. Students begin to pay back their loans after graduation or after reducing their enrollment to fewer than six credits. There are flexible repayment options available.

Emergency Funding

The Bellingham Technical College (BTC) Emergency Funding program provides financial assistance to students who experience financial difficulties that impact their ability to continue their education.

Scholarships are another source of free money to help pay for school. They are provided by Bellingham Technical College Foundation, and other organizations and donors, based on certain criteria. The BTC Foundation receives donations from generous individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the year to give as scholarships just for BTC students.

• Learn more about BTC Foundation Scholarships

• Funding for high wage/high demand programs Opportunity Grant Scholarship

• Learn more about the Baccalaureate Scholarship and Career and Technical Scholarships available through the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

• Find a variety of scholarships on theWashBoard.org, the Washington Scholarship Coalition’s website.

• Immigrant Rising's List of Undergraduate Scholarships contains scholarships for undergraduate studies that don't require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency. 

• Funding Resources for Undocumented Students contains additional links and funding options for undocumented students attending BTC.

• College Success Foundation - Offers a variety of scholarships to support under-served and low-income students.

• Apply for need and merit-based scholarships for Washington State residents from the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)

• SallieMae - Scholarship Search - College Answer features over 600,000 scholarships, grants, tuition waivers, internships and fellowships.

• Federal Student Aid - US Department of Education financial aid and scholarship information.

• College Board Scholarship Search - Locate scholarship and other information that matches your educational level, talents, and background.

Beware of Scholarship Scams

Did you know that every year, hundreds of thousands of students and parents lose hundreds of millions of dollars to scholarship scam sites?

• Scam sites use official-sounding names like "Federal", "National", and "Administration" to sound legitimate.

• Be wary of scholarships that ask you to pay an application fee. Legitimate scholarship foundations do not charge application fees.

• Beware of any scholarship service that "guarantees" success. No one can guarantee you’ll win a scholarship.

• Avoid sales pitches disguised as financial aid seminars.

• Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! 

• Learn more about scholarship scams and how to protect yourself.

• How to Submit Forms

  How to Submit Forms

  Using the links below, students can complete the majority of their forms online, before printing to sign and submit in a manner of their choice below.  Alternatively, pre-printed forms are available in our office for students to request for manual completion. 

  Forms can be:

  1. Returned in person (office hours for in-person services)

  2. Placed in the black drop box on the outside of the College Services building

  3. Mailed to our office (BTC address is also located at the top of the form you wish to submit)

  4. Faxed (fax number is also located at the top of the form you wish to submit)

  Sending sensitive information via email is not recommended for student's personal protection.

• 2024-25 Financial Aid Forms

  Academic Plan

  Authorization to Release Information

  Bachelor's Degree Confirmation

  Cost of Attendance Adjustment

  Direct Loan Request

  Direct Loan Revision

  Direct Loan Unsubsidized Only – Parent Certification

  Enrollment Revision

  Orphan, Foster, Ward of the Court

  Parent PLUS Loan Request

  Petition for Independent Status

  Petition for Reinstatement

  Petition of Special Circumstance

  Private Loan Request

  Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

  V1 Verification Worksheet

  V4 Verification Worksheet

  V5 Verification Worksheet

• Student Financial Aid Handbook

  24-25 Student Financial Aid Handbook

• Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

  24-25 Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

• Important Websites

  www.fafsa.gov - To complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid
  www.sss.gov - Selective Service System
  www.readysetgrad.org/wasfa - For DREAMers to complete the WASFA
  www.thewashboard.org - Find scholarships from the Washington Scholarship Coalition
  www.irs.gov - Order your Tax Return Transcripts
  www.studentloans.gov - Complete entrance/exit counseling and sign your Master Promissory Note

• BankMobile Disbursements

  Bellingham Technical College delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc.  Visit BankMobile for more information.

  View our third-party service contract for refund management.

• CARES Act Funds

   

  Bellingham Technical College acknowledges that the institution signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education and assures that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

  Determination of eligibility and award amounts

  Funds are fully exhausted and are no longer being awarded. During the Coronavirus pandemic, BTC staff awarded and disbursed emergency funds to students who have incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Emergency Financial Aid Grants were awarded to eligible students to assist with expenses such as housing, food, technology, books and supplies, health care, child care. Guidelines for award maximums were established and documented in an internal policy and procedure document. Students were generally awarded between $500-$2,500 per academic year depending on the expense or circumstance detailed by the student in their application.

  Guidance provided to students regarding Emergency Financial Aid Grants

  Students were informed of the availability of Emergency Financial Aid Grants funds through targeted mass email, communication from faculty and staff, printed publications, webpages and posts on a social media platform. The initial email was sent to a population of students whose quarterly credit load was reduced due to a delay in some course offerings as a result of the pandemic. Mass emails continued to be sent on a periodic basis until funds were exhausted. Emails informed students of the availability of funds, method of applying, and timeframe for receiving funds. As BTC students are closely connected to their faculty and advisors, internal communication strategies were developed. All BTC faculty and staff were informed of the availability of funds in email correspondence, “Notable News” and in various meetings. A printed publication, “What’s Happening at BTC” featured the availability of funding for students facing unanticipated expenses due to campus disruption related to COVID-19. These communication efforts were intended to reach all eligible students who may experience financial challenges.

  Additional Instructions, directions or guidance was provided to students by email, on the Student Financial Resources webpage and in virtual lobbies led by various student services staff.

  
  

  CARES Act Funds Reports

  • January 10, 2022

  • October 10, 2021

  • July 10, 2021

  • April 10, 2021

  • January 7, 2021

  • October 10, 2020

  • August 17, 2020

  • July 6, 2020

  • May 25, 2020

  Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) - SIP & Institutional Aid Reports

  • Quarter Ending 6/30/2023 Expenditure Report

  • Quarter Ending 3/31/2023 Expenditure Report - Revised

  • Quarter Ending 3/31/2023 Expenditure Report

  • Quarter Ending 12/31/2022 Expenditure Report

  • Quarter Ending 9/30/2022 Expenditure Report

  • Quarter Ending 6/30/2022 Expenditure Report - Revised

  • Quarter Ending 6/30/2022 Expenditure Report

  • Quarter Ending 3/31/2022 Expenditure Report - Revised

  • Quarter Ending 3/31/2022 Expenditure Report

  • Quarter Ending 12/31/2021 Expenditure Report - Revised 2

  • Quarter Ending 12/31/2021 Expenditure Report - Revised

  • Quarter Ending 12/31/2021 Expenditure Report

  • Quarter Ending 9/30/2021 Expenditure Report - Revised

  • Quarter Ending 9/30/2021 Expenditure Report

  • Quarter Ending 6/30/2021 Expenditure Report - Revised

  • Quarter Ending 6/30/2021 Expenditure Report

  • Quarter Ending 3/31/2021 Expenditure Report - Revised

  • Quarter Ending 3/31/2021 Expenditure Report

  • Quarter Ending 12/31/2020 Expenditure Report - Revised

  • Quarter Ending 12/31/2020 Expenditure Report

  • Quarter Ending 9/30/2020 Expenditure Report

• Default Rate

   

  A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1st to September 30th, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

  BTC’s Cohort Default Rate for Fiscal Year 2021 is zero percent.

• Notification of Title IV Student Complaint Process

   

  The Higher Education Act (HEA) prohibits an institution of higher education from engaging in a “substantial misrepresentation of the nature of its educational program, its financial charges, or the employability of its graduates.” 20 U.S.C. §1094(c)(3)(A). Further, each state must have “a process to review and appropriately act on complaints concerning the institution including enforcing applicable state laws.” 34 C.F.R. § 600.9.

  Please note that any official complaints must first go through the BTC Grievance process.

  The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) maintains a process to investigate complaints of this nature brought by community and technical college students in the state of Washington. For information, contact SBCTC Student Services, PO Box 42495, Olympia, WA 98504-2495, ballinder@sbctc.edu, 360.704.4315 or visit www.sbctc.edu.

  Consumer Protection Title IV Student Complaint Form (PDF)

  Consumer Protection Title IV Student Complaint Form (Word)