Tuition and Fee Waivers

General Information

Bellevue College offers tuition and fee waivers for specific groups of students. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) regulates the use of waivers, and determines which waivers colleges must offer to students, and which waivers are optional. The Bellevue College Board of Trustees approves optional waivers, as well as the amount of the waiver. 

For a complete list of all waivers, eligibility requirements, and how to access the waivers, please refer to policy 2400 Tuition and Fee Waivers, and 2400P Tuition and Fee Waivers (Procedures). Listed below are the most common waivers students use.

Military and Service Related Waivers

• Eligible Veterans, National Guard Members, Other Military or Naval Veterans
  • Waives 25 percent of tuition for state support classes only for an eligible veteran or service member 
• Waiver for Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program
  • Waives the portion of tuition that includes building fees and services and activities fees not covered by the tuition assistance program
• Children/Spouse/Domestic Partner of Totally Disabled or POW/MIA or Deceased Eligible Veterans or National Guard Members
  • Waives all tuition and fees

Process: To access these waivers contact the veteran’s 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: Upload the required documentation using the Submit Waiver Documentation button above or below.

The applying student needs to provide:

• Proof of qualifying service (such documentation from the WA Department of Retirement Systems)
• Copy of a birth certificate or marriage certificate showing the linkage to the deceased/disabled individual
• The student also needs to be eligible for Washington residency for tuition purposes

If you have any questions, please contact Enrollment Services about this waiver.

Space Available Waivers

• Senior Citizens Waiver – Audit Only
• State Employee Waiver

Students pay a $5 fee per class plus all other class and college fees

Nonresident Tuition Waivers

This is a partial tuition waiver for some nonresident students who are U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents

• Students taking only online classes
  • To access the waiver submit an online help request ticket after registering for classes
  • This request must be completed for each quarter for which you are requesting the waiver
• Students who have completed residency paperwork and are approved for residency status within the next three quarters
  • The waiver is applied once the residency paperwork has been reviewed and approved – see Residency Website
• Students participating in co-curricular activities related to performing arts or officially recognized team sports
  • Students contact the appropriate coach, director, or program chair