How can I pay for college?
Did you know that college students are more likely to drop out due to personal debt and money management issues than low grades? Get started on a realistic budget, watch your debt and improve your financial health.
Funds and ideas for most everyone
Apply for Financial Aid
Seattle Central is accepting Financial Aid applications for the current year. Federal and State Grant funds are available. Application steps are online.
Scholarships
A variety of scholarships are available, each based on different criteria: financial need, program of study or major, academic merit, leadership, diversity, first in family to attend college, personal perseverance and/or community service.
Outside Sources
The Career Services Center provides personalized assistance with the scholarship application process and researches scholarships specific to Seattle Central programs and student body. You will find scholarship notices from national, regional and local sources, including corporations, trade associations, community groups and service organizations.
Seattle Central Community College Foundation
Seattle Central Foundation scholarship applications for the 2008-2009 year. Deadline is Friday, April 11, 2008.
Hope Scholarship or Lifetime Learning Tax Credit
Qualified tuition and fees paid may be claimed against federal income taxes. For information on eligibility requirements and credit amounts contact the Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov and search for "Hope and Lifetime Learning Credit" or call 1-800-829-1040.
Private Lenders
If you are considering taking a loan to attend college and have good credit or a co-signer, there are a number of private non-federal education loans now available to community college students. Loan interest rates, fees and repayment terms vary.
Opportunity Grant $ NEW $
Washington residents that are enrolled in Opportunity Grant-eligible program of study and meet the low income requirements may be eligible. Must apply for financial aid and maintain a 2.0 GPA. Apply with the Opportunity Grant Coordinator, Room 2BE4178 or go to http://seattlecentral.edu/finaid/opportunity_grant.php for more information.
Special eligibility programs and funds
Currently separated, recently divorced
You may be eligible for displaced homemakers services through the Worker Retraining Program.
Tuition Assistance for Working Parents
Women's Programs provides tuition assistance to employed, low-income parents (with children under age 18) who are enrolled in a basic skills or professional/technical program.
Tuition Reimbursement
More and more employers offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit to both full-time and part-time employees. Your workplace may offer education incentives that you don't know about. Ask your human resources department.
Undocumented Student In-State Tuition Rate
House Bill 1079 allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities. It does not qualify students for Federal Financial Aid funds. Students must complete and submit the English version of the HB 1079 affidavit.
Información en Español
El Gobernador Gary Locke firmó el proyecto de ley HB 1079, una ley que ahora permite a los estudiantes indocumentados pagar colegiatura estatal en los colleges y universidades.
Veteran Tuition Waivers
Apply for the Veteran's tuition discount, and, or use your Veteran benefits.
Worker Retraining Program
Receiving unemployment benefits, exhausted benefits within the last 24 months, facing lay-off, or employed in a declining industry? You may be eligible for Worker Retraining funding and support to help eligible students gain the skills needed to return to work.