Tuition, Fees, Rates & Costs
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 25 rates were finalized on 6/20/2024.
A wealth of information is at your fingertips! Learn to understand what you will be charged for classes and resources to support you in paying for it. How does the money side of college work at Bellingham Technical College? Read all about it!
How much will it cost?
Cost Estimates for General Education Classes
How much will a quarter of General Education classes cost?
- See estimates for your Residency Classification below
- Add $50 to estimate for each lab science class
- Plus books, materials and supplies
- Note that Program Classes charge additional program fees - see specific program information above
Related Information
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.
State Support and Student Costs
The following information has been provided by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
2024-2025 State Support and Student Costs
The average cost to educate a resident full-time community or technical college student for the 2024-2025 academic year is $15,672. Students pay an average of $3,742 in tuition toward this cost. The remaining $11,930 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.
HB 1795 disclosure
Primary sources of operating funds received by community and technical colleges are available in the HB 1795 disclosure document.
How will I afford it?
Resources
Explore these resources to see what fits into your college financial plan
Student Financial Resources
Payment Plan
Running Start
Impact Youth Re-engagement
Undocumented
Tuition and Fees
2024-2025 rates and balances are final as of 6/20/2024.
EDUCATION TAX CREDIT INFORMATION (1098T)
Annual tax statement for tuition and fees paid
How to access an electronic copy of your 2024 – 1098T form.
To be able to receive your 2024 1098-T Tax documentation in ctcLink:
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You will first need to log into the ctcLink.
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Once you are logged in, click on the Student Center tab to get to your Student homepage
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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.)
Tuition
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.
Tuition Rates
Rates posted are for the 2024-2025 academic year effective 6/20/2024.
See related topic of Residency information.
Select Residency classification or Waiver type to view rates by credits.
To Calculate your Tuition
- Start by calculating your first 10 credits at the "Credits 1-10" rate.
- If you take more than 10 credits, your 11th credit is discounted.
For example, for 15 credits, calculate 10 credits at the "Credits 1-10" rate. - Then calculate 5 credits at the "Credits 11-18" rate, and add these figures together.
If you are also taking Self-Support classes, do not include these credits in calculating your tuition since Self-Support classes charge only fees.
Taking Baccalaureate classes?
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.
Credit Status
- 6 credits = part-time
- 9 credits = 3/4 time
- 12 credits = full-time
Typical Full-Time Credit Load
- Academic Classes only - 12-15 credits per quarter
- Vocational Instruction - 15-22 credits per quarter (includes hands-on lab time)
- Maximum credits per quarter - 26 credits
Permission is required to exceed 26 credits. Talk with your Navigator or Faculty Advisor.
Fees
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
Administrative, Operating, Building, and Student Approved Fees are included as part of your tuition.
Running Start Fee
The Running Start fee for 2024-2025 is $11.47 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 and Class Fees
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 Class Fee
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.
Fees for Particular Services
2024-2025 rates effective 6/20/2024
- $10.25 - Official Transcript - order online (No cost for unofficial transcript)
- $10.00 - Replacement Degree/Certificate (per copy)
- Approximately $120 - Certified Background Check for Health Programs
- $30.00 Returned Check Fee
Payment and Due Dates
Payment in Full
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 Payment Due Dates
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.
- Summer: mid-June
- *Fall: mid-August
- Winter: mid-December
- Spring: mid-March
*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.
Ways to Pay
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Online with a credit card through ctcLink Sign In. Learn more about making payments online
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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"
- By mailing a check to Business Office BTC: Cashier, 3028 Lindbergh Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225-1599
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In-person at the cashier window in the College Services building. Cashier window hours are listed at the bottom of this page.
Refund Policy
Our Refund Policy is published in the BTC catalog.
Note that there are three sections to the Refund Policy.
- State Funded
- Self-Support
- Refund Information
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.
Hours & Contacts
Regular Hours
Mon to Fri: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Closed for lunch from 1 p.m. to 2 pm