Fall Quarter tuition and fees are estimated each year and then are recalculated to reflect increases approved by the Legislature and Board of Trustees after those decisions are finalized, usually by the end of July. FY 24 rates were finalized on 5/11/23.
How much will a quarter of General Education classes cost?
Your residency status will affect your tuition rate. For more information, see Tuition below and see Residency information.
Check our BTC Campus Store for more information regarding books, supplies, tools and more.
TUITION & FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
The following information has been provided by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
The average cost to educate a resident full-time community or technical college student for the 2023-2024 academic year is $15,023. Students pay an average of $3,527 in tuition toward this cost. The remaining $11,496 is an “opportunity pathway” provided by the State and is funded by state taxes and other sources. The amounts shown are averages for a full-time, resident student. The actual tuition a student pays will vary due to credit load, residency status and other factors.
Primary sources of operating funds received by community and technical colleges are available in the HB 1795 disclosure document.
Explore these resources to see what fits into your college financial plan
Student Financial Resources
Payment Plan
DREAMers
Running Start
IMPACT! (Youth Re-engagement)
2023-2024 rates and balances are final as of 5/11/23.
EDUCATION TAX CREDIT INFORMATION (1098T)
Annual tax statement for tuition and fees paid
To be able to receive your 2023 1098-T Tax documentation in ctcLink:
You will first need to log into the ctcLink.
Once you are logged in, click on the Student Center tab to get to your Student homepage
Follow the instructions for consenting and accessing your 1098-T online.
If you attended BTC prior to the conversion to ctcLink in Fall of 2021 and you do not have your ctcLink login info, you will need to contact us at businessoffice@btc.edu or 360.752.8358. (please leave a message with your name, student id, last four digits of your SSN, current address, and tax year request.)
Bellingham Technical College tuition rates are set according to the Washington Community College Tuition Rate Schedule based on legislative authorization provided in ESHB 1087 Section 604(4).
Following the Washington State Community College Tuition Rate Schedule allows BTC to offer Direct Transfer Agreements (DTAs) and Major Related Programs of Study. More information on DTAs and MRPs.
Students taking State Funded classes must Apply to BTC and have Residency determined.
Rates posted are for the 2023-2024 academic year effective 5/11/23.
See related topic of Residency information.
Select Residency classification or Waiver type to view rates by credits.
If you are also taking Self-Support classes, do not include these credits in calculating your tuition since Self-Support classes charge only fees.
Are you are taking more than 10 credits of Baccalaureate classes (300-400 level) AND ALSO taking a 100-200 level class in the same quarter? If yes, it may be less expensive to pay the Baccalaureate rate for your lower-level class. Please email registration@btc.edu for us to check for you.
BTC adjusts tuition and fees annually, according to state regulations and program and course costs. Adjustments are effective as soon as they are implemented, which may be during the academic year—so check here for up-to-date information.
Administrative, Operating, Building, and Student Approved Fees are included as part of your tuition.
The Running Start fee for 2023-2024 is $9.03 per Running Start eligible credit. The Running Start fee consists of the Administrative, Operating, Building, and Student Approved Fees which are a tuition line item.
Program fees and class fees address distinct and specified program and class costs such as lab assistants, supplies, materials, equipment, rentals, software licensing, replacement and upgrade, maintenance, and other operational costs.
Self-Support classes charge fees only (no tuition) and are not subject to Washington State Residency Requirements.
Fee rates for Self-Support classes are set specifically for each class.
2023-2024 rates effective 5/11/23
The tuition charge includes required fees from the State Board of Community and
Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and locally determined fees from the college and the Associated
Students of BTC (ASBTC).
These required fees are now shown separately on your bill. For State-supported classes, charges
include:
Operating fee: Legislatively determined tuition fee that supports school operations
locally.
Building fee: SBCTC determined tuition fee that supports infrastructure and innovation
statewide. This tuition fee is charged for in-person and online classes.
S&A fee: ASBTC determined tuition services and activity fee used to cover student
activities and programs locally.
General Processing fee: BTC determined processing fee charged to all students per
credit.
Technology fee: BTC determined fee supporting the use of technology by students and
related-on campus support services.
eLearning fee: BTC determined fee supporting web-enhancement of all classes across
campus benefiting all students.
ASB Center fee: ASBTC determined fee covering building costs associated with the
ASB Center in the Campus Center building.
BTC follows the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) tuition and fees
policies, which generally describe the amounts that are charged for different types of classes and
students. More information is available the SBCTC tuition and fees web page.
You are considered "Officially Enrolled" when your tuition and fees are paid in full. Tuition and Fees are due in full by the date indicated on the College Calendar. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.
Payment must be made in full, fully-funded, or a payment plan set up by the payment due date to remain enrolled. Accounts not paid in full by due date may result in classes being dropped for non-payment. Past due balances may be subject to collection fees or subsequent placement with a collection agency.
Tuition and fee due dates are posted on our BTC Calendar. If registering after Tuition & Fee Date, payment is due within 48 hours. After quarter start, payment is due within 24 hours. Students can see upcoming dates in myBTC. Generally, payment due dates are as follows.
*Fall Quarter Running Start students who register during the summer and are not able to obtain the Running Start Enrollment Verification form before the payment due date may request a payment extension. Contact Registration 360.752.8350 or registration@btc.edu.
Online with a credit card through ctcLink Sign In. Learn more about making payments online
By dropping a check made payable to BTC in the secure payment drop box located at the left entrance of the College Services building. Be sure to put it in an envelope labeled "Attention: Cashier"
In-person at the cashier window in the College Services building, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch)
Our Refund Policy is published in the BTC catalog.
Note that there are three sections to the Refund Policy.
Please see the specific part of the policy that pertains to the type of classes you are taking. In Class Search, Self-Support classes are indicated by an “S” symbol.
If you have questions, you may inquire at registration@btc.edu.
Mon to Thu: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.