Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET)

The BFET program helps students receiving federal Basic Food benefits (SNAP/”food assistance”) gain in-demand skills, earn a credential, and find employment.

Medical program student wearing scrubs and a stethoscope, writing in a notebook.

BFET Program Information

  • Potential funding for school-related expenses, including:
    • tuition
    • course fees
    • required textbooks
    • transportation
    • educational and credential testing
  • Education planning to help you efficiently complete your program of study
  • Advising to address barriers to academic or personal success
  • Help navigating college processes and services
  • Referrals to college and community resources
  • Verification of school schedule for students receiving the Working Connections Child Care subsidy

You may qualify for the BFET program if:

  • You receive federal Basic Food assistance (SNAP/”food assistance”) from DSHS.
    • If you don’t receive Basic Food but meet the income guidelines below, you can visit washingtonconnection.org to see if you qualify.
    • If you applied for food assistance and were denied due to being a student and not meeting the work requirement, contact Workforce Education at 425-564-4054. In some situations, BFET can provide a referral that may help you qualify for Basic Food.
  • You do not receive TANF cash assistance from DSHS.  (If you receive TANF, check out our WorkFirst program instead.)
  • You are interested in an approved degree or certificate program.
  • You have an employment goal related to your program of study.

Income Guidelines (2026)

Household/Family SizeMonthly Gross Household IncomeAnnual Gross Household Income
12,66031,920
23,60743,280
34,55354,640
45,50066,000
56,44777,360
For each additional family member, add $947 monthly or $11,360 annually.

In addition to meeting Workforce Education Student Expectations [PDF], BFET students must also understand the following expectations:

Progress Reports

The BFET program is required to report student progress to DSHS every month. To help meet this requirement, BFET will ask you to a submit a brief progress report once or twice per quarter. Requests for these reports will be sent to your Bellevue College email and include a link to an online form. Workforce Education may also contact your instructors for updates on your participation and progress.

Maintain Eligibility With DSHS

You must have an active federal Basic Food account and not receive TANF cash assistance to be eligible for BFET. Our staff may send a courtesy notice to your Bellevue College email if we notice your food assistance has a close date, however you are responsible for working with DSHS to resolve eligibility issues. Contact your Workforce Education advisor if there are changes in your eligibility for food assistance, if DSHS requests a BFET reverse referral form, or if you start receiving TANF cash assistance. TANF recipients may qualify for the WorkFirst program.

How do I apply?

Apply online! We will review your eligibility for all of BC’s Workforce Education programs.

If you have questions before applying, please contact us at 425-564-4054 or workforce-ed@bellevuecollege.edu.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.