BTC's campus will be closed Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day, and there will be no classes Tuesday for a faculty in-service event.

Explore Financial Aid

Explore Financial Aid

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. 

The 2025-2026 WASFA is now open.

 

Processing Updates:

As of May 15th, 2025 we are continuing to determine eligibility for students who have submitted all required 2024-2025 documents and are enrolled in Spring quarter classes.

We have begun processing for the 2025-2026 aid year, and are accepting documents.  Students enrolled in Summer quarter will be prioritized.

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.  

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How to Apply

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.

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FAFSA/WASFA Resources

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

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SFR Quarterly Priority Deadlines

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

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Financial Aid Basics

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.

 

2025-2026 Cost of Attendance

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

Direct expenses

Tuition & Fees

$6,000

Books & supplies

$528

TOTAL:

$6528

 

Indirect expenses

Living expenses (food & housing)

$17,702

Transportation

$2,790

Miscellaneous/Personal

$1,908

TOTAL:

$28,928

 

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.

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Financial Aid Programs

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.

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Scholarships

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.

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.

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Forms & Resources

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Consumer Information

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Hours & Contacts

Regular Hours

Mon to Thu: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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