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Waivers & Discounts

WA State Employee Tuition Waiver

Permanent Washington state employees employed 50 percent full-time equivalency (FTE) may register on a space-available basis using the State Tuition Waiver. Students attempting to use the waiver will go to class on the first day of the class. Using the standard registration form, obtain instructor’s signature if space is available (Including all waitlisted students intending to enroll) and submit it to the Admissions/Registration Office beginning the sixth day (fifth day for summer) of the quarter through the tenth day (eighth day for summer) of the quarter. The cost is $20 for the first six credits and is non-refundable. Students are responsible for any additional charges such as class fees, books, photo ID, transportation fee, Universal Technology fee, etc. Please note the following stipulations:

  • This waiver cannot be used for Continuing Education, WAOL classes or high demand programs that include all courses within any Allied Health program at North.
  • Employees in the K-12 system are eligible for the Washington State Employee Waiver with verification that they are teachers or certificated instructional staff employed at public common and vocational schools, holding or seeking a valid endorsement and assignment in a state-identified shortage area.
  • A new certification of employment form must be presented each quarter.
  • Students enrolled in over 6 credits will be charged at the regular tuition rate for all credits in excess of 6.
  • Students who enroll prior to the sixth day of the quarter (fifth for summer) will forfeit their waiver eligibility.
  • Please contact the Admissions/Registration Office to request a Certification of Employment Form, or download one from the district website.

Higher Education Employees—Employed at 50 Percent or More  
Seattle Colleges will waive the difference between resident tuition and nonresident tuition for public 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.

Veteran Waivers  
Subject to limitations, Veterans, National Guard members and Reservists, may qualify for a tuition waiver. Basic eligibility requirements are a student must be a Washington state resident and have an honorable discharge (DD214).

A child and the spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible veteran or national guard member who became totally disabled or who is determined by the federal government to be a prisoner of war or missing in action or who lost his or her life while engaged in active federal military or naval service may be eligible for a limited tuition waiver.

Students seeking to receive a Veteran Waiver should contact the Veterans Services Office.

Active Duty Military/Washington National Guard  
Active duty military stationed in Washington, their spouses and dependents; Washington National Guard members, spouses or dependents, if residence is Washington, are eligible for resident tuition rate. Students must provide military documentation of active duty status in Washington.

Senior Waiver  
Washington state resident seniors, 60+ years, can enroll in two state-funded classes for audit or credit on a space available basis. Some exceptions do apply. Students attempting to use the waiver will go to class on the first day of the class. Using the standard registration form, obtain instructor’s signature if space is available (Including all waitlisted students intending to enroll) and submit it to the Admissions/Registration Office beginning the sixth day (fifth day for summer) of the quarter through the tenth day (eighth day for summer) of the quarter. Cost is $5 per class. This rate is applicable only for two state-funded classes. Regular tuition will be charged for more than two classes. Students are responsible for any additional charges such as class fees, books, photo ID, transportation fee, Universal Technology fee, etc. (Continuing Education, WAOL, high demand programs that include all courses within any Allied Health program at North, ESL courses and financial aid recipients are not eligible for this program.) Students who enroll prior to the sixth day of the quarter (fifth for summer) will forfeit their waiver eligibility. This waiver is not available to students who plan to use the course credits gained thereby for increasing credentials or salary schedule increases.

Children of Deceased or Disabled Law Enforcement Officer or Firefighters  
Children of any law enforcement officer or firefighter who lost his or her life or became totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by any public law enforcement agency or full time or volunteer fire department in this state: PROVIDED that such persons may receive the waiver only if they begin their course of study at a community college within 10 years of their graduation from high school. Students must submit official documentation to the Admissions/Registration Office to receive the waiver.

Non-Resident Elearning Tuition Rate Discount  
This is a reduced rate available only to non-resident students enrolled in Elearning classes. Further details

High School Completion

RESIDENT: SCD will waive 80% of the Building, Service & Activities, and Operating fee for resident students 19 years of age and older who are enrolled in high school completion program.

NON-RESIDENT: SCD will waive 100% of the non-resident differential of the Building, Service & Activities, and Operating fee for non-resident students 19 years of age and older who are enrolled in high school completion program.