Students will be initially classified as "resident" or "non-resident" based on the information provided on the Admissions Application. Bellingham Technical College complies with applicable state laws regarding residency classification. Washington residency law is codified in RCW 28B.15 and further explained in WAC 250.18. All students taking state funded credit classes are required to apply to BTC and establish residency status.

Students taking only classes in Basic Academic Skills, Child & Family Studies, First Aid, or Self-Support classes are not subject to Residency Requirements. If you move from these classes into State Funded academic and/or vocational classes, Residency Requirements will be applicable.

International Students and non-US citizens, contact our International Advisor in Admissions at admissions@btc.edu or 360.752.8345 early in the admissions process.

See Undocumented Student for assistance for undocumented BTC students.
See Residency for Military, Veteran, and Dependent students for Military, Veterans, and dependents
See Tuition, Fees, Rates & Costs for rate information.

Students will be initially classified as "resident" or "non-resident" based on the information provided on the Admissions Application. Bellingham Technical College complies with applicable state laws regarding residency classification. Washington residency law is codified in RCW 28B.15 and further explained in WAC 250.18.

In general, a student is considered a "resident" for tuition and fee purposes under the following conditions:

1. The student is a US citizen, or has permanent or temporary resident status, or holds "Refugee-Parolee" or "Conditional Entrant" status with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, or is otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law; and

2. The student is financially independent for the current calendar year and the calendar year prior to which application is made (if the student is not financially independent, then his/her residency is based on whether one or both parents have met all residency requirements); and

3. The student (or, if financially dependent, at least one of the student's parents) is in Washington primarily for reasons other than educational and has officially established Washington as his or her true, fixed and permanent home and place of habitation for a period of at least one year prior to the start of the quarter of enrollment.

Students may take up to 6 credits per quarter while establishing residency. A student taking 7 or more credits must also maintain employment of 30 hours per week to show intent is other than primarily educational.

Additional Resident Rate Classifications

You may be eligible for the Washington resident rate if you qualify under provisions for:

Military

• Washington State Resident Active Duty Military stationed out-of-state and Dependents;
• Active Duty Military stationed in Washington and Dependents;
• Washington National Guard Members and Dependents;
• Veterans and Dependents;

See Residency for Military, Veteran and Dependent Students

Native American residing in Idaho, Oregon, Montana, or Washington. See Reclassification

In-State High School Graduates

High School Graduates Seeking Permanent Residency.

For more information, see Reclassification and Waivers.

We recommend that you submit your request before the tuition & fee due date. Residency determinations require up to 14 days for processing. 

Student residency is governed by statewide laws, rules, and policies. Resources regarding how residency decisions are made can be found on the Washington Student Achievement Council’s (WSAC) Student Residency webpage.

Non-Resident to Resident

If you are requesting reclassification from non-resident status to resident status, submit to Enrollment Services

1. Washington Residence Questionnaire
2. Proof of Financial Independence or Dependence
3. Proof that you have met the one-year residency requirement

If you are over 24 years of age

• Proof of employment
• Proof of 12 months residency in WA prior to first day of the quarter

If you are under 24 years of age and financially independent

• Tax return page one for you and your parent/guardian
• Proof of you living 12 months in WA prior to first day of the quarter

If you are under 24 years of age and financially dependent

• Tax return page one for your parent/guardian
• Proof of parent/guardian living 12 months in WA prior to your first day of the quarter

If you have been taking classes while establishing residency

• Transcript proving credits per quarter
• If taking 7 credits or more, proof of employment for 30 hours per week or more
• Proof that your primarily reason for moving to WA was other than educational

Examples of proof of living in WA State include, but are not limited to, voter registration, driver's license, motor vehicle registration, home purchase/lease agreement, verification of full-time employment.

Non-Resident to other Resident Rate Classifications

To request reclassification, submit BTC Residency Questionnaire and specific documentation required for the classification you seek.

Military, Veterans and Dependents

See Residency for Military, Veteran, and Dependent students.

Native Americans

If you are a member of a federally recognized tribe or a tribe granted reserved lands within WA State and you have been residing in Idaho, Oregon, Montana, or Washington, submit the BTC Residency Questionnaire, your Tribal ID card and proof of residency within the four states listed.

Recent High School Graduates

See The Admissions Office if you think you may be eligible for one of these Classifications.

• In-State High School Graduates
• High School Graduates Seeking Permanent Residency

Waivers listed are available at Bellingham Technical College.

Amount of tuition and/or fees waived is specific to each waiver.

Submit the form specified and supporting documentation to Enrollment Services by the 30th calendar day of the quarter. Requests submitted after the 30th day will be considered for the following quarter. We recommend that you submit your request before tuition and fees are due.

WA State Waivers

Children and Spouse or the Domestic Partner of Totally Disabled or POW/MIA or Deceased Eligible Veterans or National Guard Members Waiver (waives tuition & fees - Fee Pay Status 72). Submit a request form/checklist to the Veteran Certifying Official at BTC or Enrollment Services.

Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Law Enforcement Officers or Firefighters (waives tuition - Fee Pay Status 04) BTC Residency Questionnaire

Wrongfully Convicted Felon (individual and their children and step-children) (waives tuition & fees - Fee Pay Status 84) BTC Residency Questionnaire

BTC Tuition Waiver for Out-of-State Students

(Waives Nonresident Operating Fee Differential portion of tuition - Fee Pay Status 29)

For 12 months before you start classes at BTC, you must be

• United States Citizen or Permanent Resident
• and a resident of one of the other 49 states, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands.

You will be evaluated for the BTC Tuition Waiver for Out-of-State Students when you Apply to BTC! No extra steps for most students! If you become eligible for this waiver after the Admissions determination, or think you are eligible and did not receive it, submit the BTC Residency Questionnaire to Enrollment Services.

Space Available WA State Employee Waiver

(Waives tuition - Fee Pay Status 51)

Be sure to read procedure and timing of waiver request for space available requirement.

BTC Employees

Request form for BTC Employees

WA State Employees

Request form for Washington State Employees

See Tuition, Fees, Rates & Costs for rate information.

Bring the appropriate completed form and original supporting documentation to the office indicated to be evaluated.

Washington Residence Questionnaire

Submit the BTC Residency Questionnaire to Enrollment Services to prove that you are eligible to have your classification updated to Washington State Resident.

Request Waiver for Children and Spouse or the Domestic Partner of Totally Disabled or POW/MIA or Deceased Eligible Veterans or National Guard Members Waiver

Submit the Request Waiver to BTC Veteran Certifying Official or to Enrollment Services.

Washington Higher Education Residency Affidavit

Beginning Summer 2021, students qualify for residency if they meet all the following conditions according to SB5194:

• Received a high school diploma (or equivalent).
• Maintained a primary residence in Washington for at least one year (12 months) immediately prior to starting their first admitted quarter at Bellingham Technical College.
• Affirm that they are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or that they will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States as soon as they are eligible to apply.

If you meet all the above requirements, you can use the updated Washington Higher Education Residency Affidavit to request a change in residency status. Note that if you applied or will apply for state financial aid using the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WAFSA), then you do not need to submit this affidavit form separately. The affidavit is part of the WAFSA.

Space Available WA State Employee Waiver

Submit the appropriate form to Registration according to the process and timing indicated on the form. BTC Employee or WA State Employee

Who to Contact with Questions

If you have questions about residency, please email your question to our Residency Officer at residency@btc.edu.

If you are ready to submit paperwork, please email your form and supporting documentation to our Residency Officer at residency@btc.edu or call Admissions at 360.752.8345 to make an appointment with our Residency Officer.

For Tuition information, see Tuition, Fees, Rates & Costs.

The VA School Certifying Official at BTC is able to assist Veteran and Veteran Dependent students with Residency or Waiver paperwork.

Additional Resources

For legal definitions see WA State Legislature RCW 28B.15

Establishing A Bona Fide Domicile - the University of Washington