2400P Tuition and Fee Waivers (Procedures)

Original Date: 9/12/1995 * Last Revision Effective: 6/12/2021
Policy Contact: Associate Vice President, Student Affairs

Purpose

The following procedures are established to meet the requirements for implementing policy #2400 – Tuition and Fee Waivers.

Procedures

Waivers fall into two categories regulated by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC): mandatory waivers required by law or by the SBCTC, and optional waivers that colleges may offer.

The procedures below provide detailed information about each waiver, eligibility requirements, and the waiver process.

SBCTC-mandatory Waivers

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

Waives all tuition and fees for a child/spouse/domestic partner of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who:

became totally disabled as a result of active federal military or naval service;
is determined by the federal government to be a prisoner of war or missing in action; or
lost his or her life as a result of active federal military or naval service.

Process: Contact the veterans benefits coordinator.

Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Law Enforcement Officers or Firefighters

Waives all tuition and services and activities fees for the children and surviving spouses of deceased or disabled law enforcement officers or firefighters.

Eligible children must begin their studies within ten (10) years of high school graduation.
Officers and firefighters must have died or become totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by a public law enforcement agency, full-time or volunteer fire department in this state.
Totally disabled is defined as totally and permanently disabled for life by bodily injury or disease and thereby prevented from performing any occupation or gainful pursuit.

Process: Visit the student central waivers webpage to request a waiver and to upload required documentation.

Wrongfully Convicted Person

Waives all tuition and fees for a wrongfully convicted individual, their children, stepchildren, and adopted children.

The wrongfully convicted person must have a place of residence in Washington State.
A child must have a place of residence in Washington State and be aged 17 through 26.
Continued participation is subject to BC’s satisfactory progress policy.
Recipients of this waiver may attend full-time or part-time.
Waiver limited to 200 quarter credits.

Process: Visit the student central waivers webpage.

Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, and GED Preparation

Students taking ungraded ABE, ESL, and GED courses pay $25 per quarter in place of tuition.

Process: The college applies this waiver automatically to all ungraded ABE, ESL, and GED courses at the time of registration. No additional process is required.

Bellevue College Board of Trustees-Approved Optional Waivers

Military & Veterans

Eligible Veterans or National Guard Members

Waives 25 percent of tuition for state support classes only for an eligible veteran or National Guard member defined as:

Has a place of residence in Washington State;
Was active or reserve member of military or naval forces, or a National Guard member called to active duty;
Served in active federal duty under either Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code, in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters, or served in support of those that were (serving on foreign soil or in international waters); and
If discharged, received an honorable discharge.

Process: Contact the veterans benefits coordinator.

Other Military or Naval Veterans

Waives 25 percent tuition for state support classes only for other military or naval veterans, defined as:

Did not serve on foreign soil or in international waters or in support of those serving on foreign soil or in support of those who did.
Has a place of residence in Washington State.

This category includes only military or naval veterans. It does not include National Guard members.

Process: Contact the veterans benefits coordinator.

Building/S&A Fee Waiver for Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program

Waives building fees, and services and activities fees not covered by the program.

Student must be a military service member eligible to participate in the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program.

Process: Submit official documentation to the student financial services office.

Waiver of Nonresident Tuition Differential

Higher Education Employees Waiver

Waives the difference between resident tuition and nonresident tuition for higher education employees (faculty, classified staff, or exempt staff) who hold at least a half-time appointment and reside in Washington State. This waiver also applies to an eligible employee’s spouse and dependents.

Process: Visit the student central waivers webpage to request a waiver and to upload required documentation.

International Student Exchange

Waives the difference between resident tuition and nonresident tuition for foreign students participating with Bellevue College in a student exchange program.

Does not apply to contracted international students.
Limited to 100 foreign exchange students per year, with an equal number of Bellevue College domestic students placed in exchange country.

Process: Contact the sponsoring department.

Refugee Waiver

Waives the difference between resident tuition and nonresident tuition.

Applies to refugees, their spouse and dependents.
Refugees must be on parole status (allowed into the United States for humanitarian reasons).
Must have received an immigrant visa, or applied for United States citizenship.

Process: Contact the Student Central residency specialist.

Nonresident—Operating Fees Only

Waives the operating fee differential only for specific groups of students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

U.S. Citizens or permanent residents taking only online classes

Process: After registering for classes, contact student central using the online help ticketing system.

Residency-eligible students who have completed the residency paperwork and are approved for residency status within the next three quarters

Process: Contact the Student Central residency specialist.

Students participating in co-curricular activities related to performing arts (drama, dance & music) or officially recognized team sports.

Approval is contingent on students registering for a related and required class for at least one quarter during the regular academic year (fall–spring).
Approval is good for one full academic year (summer–spring) with renewal possible for subsequent years.
Renewal is contingent on students maintaining good academic standing.

Process: Contact the coach, director, or program chair or manager of the relevant program.

Space Available Waivers

Senior Citizens Waiver—Audit Only

This waiver is used only for classes with space available at the designated time of registration. Senior students must wait to register until the last business day before the quarter begins, or obtain instructor permission during the late registration period. (See Student Central calendar for exact dates.) Senior students forfeit the waiver option if they register prior to the last business day before the quarter begins, even if they later drop the class from their registration record.

Recipients must be at least 60 years of age.
Recipients must be admitted to the college and pay the application fee if not a continuing student, or if more than four quarters since last registration.
Students pay a five (5) dollar per class fee, and all other class and college fees connected with being a student.
Limited to two classes per quarter.
State support classes only.

Process: Visit the student central waivers webpage to request a waiver and to upload required documentation.

State and Educational Employees Waiver

This waiver is limited to permanent and at least half-time state employees as defined by RCW 41.06 and 25B.15.558. To determine if they are eligible, state employees should consult their HR representative. This waiver is used only for classes with space available at the time of registration. To use this waiver, state employee students must wait to register until the last business day before the quarter begins, or obtain instructor permission during the late registration period. (See the Student Central calendar for exact dates.) State employee students forfeit the waiver option if they register prior to the last business day before the quarter begins, even if they later drop the class from their registration record.

Recipients must be admitted to the college and pay the application fee if not a continuing student, or if more than four quarters since last registration.
Bellevue College employees receive registration priority over other state employees.
Students pay a five (5) dollar per class fee, and all other class and college fees connected with being a student.
Limited to two (2) classes per quarter.
State support classes only.

Process: Download and complete the online Washington State Employees Tuition Waiver Request form. Submit the form on the student central waivers webpage using the link to upload the form. If registration occurs after submission of the Tuition Waiver Request form, notify student central using the online help ticketing system.

Other Waivers

Athletic Waiver–Resident/Nonresident

Waives 25 percent of tuition and fees for eligible students.

Limited to 15 credits per quarter.
Available for student athletes eligible for grant-in-aid funding.

Process: Contact the BC Athletic Director.

Financial Need Waiver

Waives tuition and fees (operating and building fees and S & A fees).

Available to eligible students who show financial need.
The Financial Aid Office determines eligibility.
Amount varies based on eligibility.
Applies to state support classes only.
To qualify, the student must be eligible for resident tuition.

Process: Students must apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and complete all other application processes.

Ungraded Courses: Parent Education

Waives 85 percent of tuition and all building and services and activity fees.

Process: The college applies this waiver automatically to all parent education classes approved for the waiver at the time of registration. No additional process is required.

Waiver of State Board Established Fee for ABE/GED/ESL Classes

Waives $25 per quarter fee.

Students must demonstrate financial need based on department criteria.

Process: Students must contact the appropriate department.

Student Transportation Fee

Waives the student transportation fee for select departments.
Students must demonstrate financial need based on department criteria.
Students must participate or work with one of the following programs:
- Workforce Education (Basic Food Employment and Training, WorkFirst, Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant)
- Career Education Options (CEO)
- Running Start
- Multicultural Services
- ABE/GED/ESL

Process: Students must contact the appropriate department listed above.

Appeal Process

Students may appeal a denial of eligibility for tuition and fee waivers by submitting a written statement to the Dean of Student Central or designee. A brief adjudicative process will be completed within five business days from the time of submission and the dean’s decision is final.

Definitions

Tuition combines operating and building fees.
Services and activities (S & A) fees are collected from students for the purpose of funding student activities and programs.
Nonresident differential is the difference between resident tuition and nonresident tuition.
Co-curricular activities link a required and related class to participation in the activity.

Relevant Laws and Other Resources

Revision History

Original 9/12/1995
Revisions 10/22/1997; 3/22/2005; 12/13/2005; 9/12/2007; 5/21/2009; 5/25/2010; 9/11/2012; 4/6/2015; 5/15/2015; 2/26/19; 12/10/19; 6/12/2021

Approved By

President’s Cabinet

Last Updated March 5, 2024