New Student
Wondering where to begin? Join us for Discover Seattle Colleges to get inspired about your future and get started on your path.
Virtual information sessions: February 27 - March 2
In-person open houses: March 6 - March 9
Welcome! If you are here, this is either your first time in college, you plan to submit transcripts from a previous college experience, or you are re-applying to Seattle Central after three or more years. If it has been less than three years since you attended Seattle Central, use the "Returning Student" page to re-enroll.
We appreciate the opportunity to support you through your academic journey and have curated the below steps to guide you through applying to enrolling in classes. Remember, deadlines are important so use the Academic Calendar to stay on track. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Accessibility Resource Center.
Apply & Enroll
Follow the 5 step enrollment process below. Note: You can complete steps 1, 2, and 3 at the same time. When you complete a step, click the next tab to see more instructions.
Apply
Hopefully by now you have reviewed the Admissions Information page. If not, we recommend you do so before moving on. Reading through the "Preparing to Apply" section will help you complete the application faster and more accurately.
If you identified as a First Year, Reapplying, or Transfer student based on the definitions in "Preparing to Apply", you will use the State-wide application system for Community and Technical Colleges to apply to Seattle Central College. The application is fast, free, and can be completed online.
Seattle Central College uses the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges Online Admissions Application Portal.
Need help with the application? Get step-by-step application help.
After Applying
Once you submit your application, you will automatically receive an email from Seattle Central Admissions with an application number and next steps. You are admitted once you receive a "Welcome" email from Admissions with your ctcLink (student) ID. This welcome letter will be sent to the email address you used on the application within (5) business days from applying. Sometimes these emails end up in spam/junk folders, so be sure to check there. If you don't receive these emails, please contact the Admissions Team at admissions.central@seattlecolleges.edu.
What next? After you submit your application, click "Step 2" and "Step 3" above to continue getting enrolled. You do not need to wait for the "Welcome" email to complete these steps.
Do you want to learn about more resources and support available? Click here to request information.
Application Support
Use the below drop-down options to guide you through the application process.
You can also use the New Student Checklist to see a list of all the steps you'll take from the point of applying through registering and paying for your classes. This checklist has links to instructions and resources to help get you through the enrollment process.
AA vs AAS: An Associate of Arts (AA) degree is designed to position you to transfer to a four-year institution. An Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS) degree is designed to prepare you for employment in a specific career immediately upon graduating. AAS degrees do not transfer to four-year universities.
C (Certificate): These short-term training programs help you build specialized skills and prepare for a job. You can also build on your certificate training by earning additional certificates, an associate degree and/or a bachelor's degree in related field.
DTA (Direct Transfer Agreement): These programs earn you an associate's degree and ease the transfer process to most public institutions in Washington State by satisfying most, or all, general education (gen ed) requirements and generally grant junior standing. This is Washington's most popular and most flexible transfer degree. This is a great option if you know you want an associate's degree, but are not sure what's next for you. You are not required to transfer once you graduate and will still have a degree.
MRP (Major-Related Program): Often paired with a DTA, MRP programs offer more specialized coursework to prepare you for transferring into specific majors. MRP programs are designed to ease transfer-readiness by satisfying general education requirements and granting junior standing at most public Washington State institutions.
T (Transfer): Often paired with an AAS, these programs offer a few general education requirements and are designed to assist you if you want to transfer into an approved bachelor's degree after beginning a Career Training (also known as Professional Technical) degree. AAS-T programs have specific requirements, so be sure to learn more about transfer articulation agreements to determine if this is the best choice for you.
Citizenship: If you are a United States citizen, even if you have citizenship elsewhere, you should select "United States" under the Citizenship question in the application. This includes choosing "Yes" in the Residency section of the application when asked "Are you a U.S. Citizen?".
Residency: Your residence status will determine how much tuition you will be charged each quarter. To learn more about your residency classification, click here.
#1: If you know you want a degree but aren't sure what you'd like your focus or program to be, select AA-DTA in the application. This option is eligible for Financial Aid and allows you to choose a specific program with your Academic Advisor once admitted. However, keep in mind you are encouraged to limit program changes as there can be Financial Aid implications.
#2: As you explore programs and classes, you may see the word "prerequisite". A prerequisite means that there are requirements that you must meet before applying to that program or enrolling in that class.
#3: "Non-Award Seeking" and "Undecided" programs are ineligible for Financial Aid. If you will be seeking Financial Aid, please review the "Preparing to Apply" section and contact Financial Aid to determine the Financial Aid eligibility of the program(s) you are interested in.
#4: Once you submit your application, you have applied. You are admitted once you receive a Welcome email from Admissions with your ctcLink (student) ID. At that point, you will be able to enroll. Enrolling is the process of registering for classes and paying tuition and fees.
Some programs have separate enrollment procedures, therefore, make sure to consult the individual Career Training program.
If you are under the age of 18 or do not have a high school diploma, you will need to apply to one of our High School programs.
Plan Funding
The key to successfully funding planning is to start early! Apply for college funding including financial aid and scholarships as early as possible to help determine your options for paying for college.
Financial Aid Resources
Seattle Central College students qualify for federal grants and loans. Applying early increases your chances of receiving an award. The financial aid deadline for fall applies for the whole year, so meet the priority deadline even if you don't plan to enroll until winter or spring.
- FAFSA/WASFA
- Scholarships: Scholarships are a great resource to help pay for college. There are no limits to how many scholarships you can apply for or be awarded. The key is to apply.
- Workforce Services: Workforce Services programs provide funding for required tuition, fees, books and transportation to qualifying students.
- Veteran's Services: As a veteran, member of active duty military personnel or dependent, you may qualify for a variety of resources to help you pay for your education as well as other services that may help you to achieve your educational goals.
- Grants: These grants are considered "gift aid," which means you don't have to repay the grants provided you complete your courses. Students must first complete and submit a FAFSA to be considered.
- Federal Direct Loans: Students interested in borrowing a Federal Direct Loan must first complete and submit a FAFSA.
- Education Tax Credit: The American opportunity tax credit is a credit for qualified education expenses including amounts spent on books, supplies, and equipment needed for a course of study, whether or not the materials are purchased from the educational institution as a condition of enrollment or attendance for the first for years of higher education.
Detailed information about these and other options can be found in the comprehensive pay for college section of our website.
Payment Plan Options
Need to pay your tuition over time? Enroll in an Automatic Payment Plan offered by Seattle Central.
Tuition Deadline
Students are responsible for paying tuition by the tuition deadline. Students who do not meet the quarterly deadlines listed will have their financial aid application reviewed, however eligibility may not be determined until after the tuition payment deadline.
Financial Aid Office
Explore Funding
Broadway Edison Building - Room BE1104
PH: 206.934.3844
FinancialAid.Central@seattlecolleges.edu
Placement for Classes
New Students
The phrase “placement for classes” means that you and the College are figuring out the right math and English classes for your goals and starting point at Seattle Central College. Programs or courses may also have pre-requisites, so it’s important that you register for the right class for you.
New students are required to complete placement for math and English. We have a variety of ways to help you figure out which class suits your needs. There are many options and we are here to help!
Placement options include:
- Placement Test
- ACT/SAT Scores + AP Credit
- High School Transcripts
- Seattle Public School students may be exempt if they meet these math requirements and/or have a qualifying GPA. To learn more, email your High School Transcript to testing.central@seattlecolleges.edu.
- Previous College-Level Coursework
- If you have already completed college-level coursework, you may provide unofficial transcripts showing successful completion of English and/or math. Unofficial transcripts can be emailed for review to admissions.central@seattlecolleges.edu.
For more options and to learn more, visit Placement for Classes.
Testing Center Office
Broadway Edison Building - Room BE1106
PH: 206.934.6344
testing.central@seattlecolleges.edu
Register
After completing English and math placement, review New Student Orientation, make an appointment with the Advising Office, and register for classes.
New Student Orientation
Your next step is to complete New Student Orientation. New Student Orientation will prepare you for your first quarter on campus by connecting you with services, resources, and tools for success!
Running Start, international students, non–credit, ABE, ESL, and GED® students use a separate process and are not required to complete this New Student orientation. Please contact the program directly for details.
Join us in person to get the SCOOP (Seattle Central Onboarding and Orientation Program) or complete Online Orientation!
Account Set-up
All students receive ctcLink and MySeattleColleges accounts for access to online services and IT resources. You must activate your ctcLink account first, then use your ctcLink credentials to set-up your MySeattleColleges account.
ctcLink is your student ID number for tasks such as student registration, financial aid, tracking academic progress, and updating personal information. Your MySeattleColleges account provides access to campus IT resources such as Starfish, student email, and campus wi-fi.
Learn more and set-up your accounts here.
Advising
Advisors help guide students in choosing classes based on academic goals. Once you have completed placement for classes, you are highly encouraged to meet with an advisor to get help with educational planning.
College transfer students will need to work with an Academic Advisor (mandatory after 45 credits).
Register for Classes
Once placement is complete and you've met with an Advisor, you can begin registering for classes using the online student services portal, ctcLink. Resources for using ctcLink can be found here.
Here are a few tips as you register:
- Know Dates & Deadlines: Stay on track with the Academic Calendar.
- Consult the Online Schedule. To help you decide what courses to take, visit the class schedule for the most accurate and up-to-date version of the quarterly schedule. The quarterly course schedules are published approximately six weeks before the start of a quarter and are available online, or they can be downloaded and printed.
- Register online or in person. With your ctcLink ID number (EMPLID) and your class numbers selected from the course schedule, you are ready to register. You have two options:
- Online registration: Students can view the Class Schedule and register for classes, during the registration period, through the Class Schedule. Go to "Enroll in a Class".
- In-Person Registration: Get personal assistance at the Registration Office in the Enrollment Services area, room BE1004 during regular business hours.
Pro Tip: Email is the primary mode of communication with students. These emails may include information about admissions, deadline dates, registration, waitlist status updates, dropping for nonpayment, residency, transfer credit evaluation, and graduation. Students should keep their email addresses current with their college.
Note: Waitlisted students must attend first day of class with an Add/Drop form to obtain instructor permission to enroll.
Pay & Prepare
Pay Tuition
Pay tuition as early as possible to keep your classes and avoid being dropped for non-payment. Learn more about tuition payment deadlines.
Students who applied for Financial Aid can check their award status and disbursment details with the Financial Aid office or online.
Buy Books & Supplies
Rent or buy new and used paper and e–books from the campus bookstore. Bring your class item numbers and section numbers to the campus bookstore, and they can look up your required textbooks. Books and supplies can also be downloaded and purchased online.
Get Familiar with your ctcLink Account
Your ctcLink account stores information about your student accounts, financial balances, class registration, enrollment, and transcripts. Visit our student ctcLink Resource Page to learn more.
Set-up your MySeattleColleges and Email Account
Go to tools.seattlecolleges.edu and select “Get My Credentials” to activate your Seattle Colleges email address. You will be provided with your email and login credentials. After this, you will set your password by selecting “Set/Reset Password.”
Activate your Starfish Account
Starfish is your online portal to schedule appointments with your Success Network, as well as give you access to other important online resources. To activate your account, go to the Starfish login page and enter your email login credentials.
Plan Parking & Transportation
For help with planning a commute to Seattle Central, learn about ORCA cards and student parking permits in the transportation section of our website.
Get a Seattle Central Photo I.D. Card
Photo identification (I.D.) cards are required for all students and can be obtained in the Enrollment Services lobby. We suggest that students obtain an I.D. card as soon as they have registered for their classes.
Congratulations! You are now enrolled at Seattle Central.