Returning Student

Plan Funding

The key to successfully funding planning is to start early! 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.

Financial Aid Resources

• FAFSA: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a form used by U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens to apply for federal financial aid for college, including grants, work-study, and loans.
• WASFA: (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) is a financial aid application for undocumented students or other non-citizens in Washington State who are ineligible for federal aid but may qualify for state aid, like the Washington College Grants.
• 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   
   REQUIRED: Be sure to include your CtcLink ID number and your name when you email the financial aid office.

Pro Tips: Need to pay your tuition over time? Enroll in an Automatic Payment Plan offered by Seattle Central.

Be sure to pay attention to your ctcLink "To Do List." Financial Aid uses this list to inform you of important information related to processing aid.

Placement & Previous Credits

Learn more about placement and transfer credit evaluations here. 

The phrase "placement for classes" means that you and the college are figuring out the math and English classes that are just right for you. 

Placement options include

Placement tests

• If your most recent math placement or math class you took is more than 3 years old, you will need to retake the free, self-guided math placement survey
• If you did not complete English placement when you previously attended, or you have never taken an English class at Seattle Central, you will need to take the free, self-guided English placement survey

Unofficial Transcripts

• If you have completed college-level work at another institution, you may be able to bypass the placement tests by providing unofficial college transcripts showing successful completion of English composition and/or college level math.
  • Email your unofficial transcript to Admissions.Central@seattlecolleges.edu for placement consideration. 

To learn more, visit Placement for Classes or contact the Testing Center.

Testing Center Office

Broadway Edison Building     
Room BE1106     
206.934.6344     
Testing.Central@seattlecolleges.edu

How do I transfer previous college-level coursework? 

If you have taken classes at other colleges since you last attended Seattle Central College, be sure to send us your official transcript(s). We may be able to give you credit that can be applied toward a degree or certificate program.

Explore our list of programs, we are constantly adding new ones; there may be something new since you last attended. 

If you attended North Seattle College, South Seattle College, or Seattle Vocational Institute, you do NOT need to order your transcripts; we will have them on file. 

Steps to transfer in your previous credits

1. Order your official transcripts  

Send your official transcripts electronically through whichever service your previous college uses to order transcripts (Parchment, National Student Clearing House etc.) to Admissions.Central@seattlecolleges.edu or request that they be sent by mail to:  

1701 Broadway BE1104  
Attention: Admissions  
Seattle, WA 98122 

2-3 weeks after you place your order you can check in with Admissions.Central@seattlecolleges.edu or call 206.934.5646 to see if they have received your official transcript. 

2. Submit an incoming transcript evaluation request form 

Once the admissions office has received and processed your transcript, you will need to submit an incoming transcript evaluation request form to the following email address Credentials.Central@seattlecolleges.edu or print it out and turn it into the Registration office. 

3. Wait for the evaluation to be completed 

Once Seattle Central have both the official transcript and the evaluation form, they are sent off to the evaluator. The process of officially having them evaluated can take up to 3-4 months during peak times. 

You can always check the progress by logging in to your CTC link account > Student homepage > Academic Records > View transcript credit report. 

When the evaluation is complete, the classes that have been transferred in will appear in that report.

Advising and Registering

Advisors help guide students in choosing classes based on academic goals. You are encouraged, but not required, to make an appointment with an advisor to get help with educational planning. Our advisors will work with you to create an educational plan to help you achieve your goals.

Be Proactive: Before making an appointment with an advisor, be sure that you can access all 4 of your student accounts: ctcLink, MySeattle Colleges, Canvas, and Starfish. Connect with the Re-engagement specialist if you need help setting up these accounts. 

Pro Tip:

Schedule a 30-minute advising appointment if you have questions about:

• Degree completion
• Requirements for your major
• Long-range planning
• Help choosing classes

Choose the 15-minute drop-in option only if you need help with:

• Planning next quarter's classes
• Receiving course permission codes upon approval
• Connecting with campus resources
• Briefly review Degree Audits
• Answers to other general academic questions

Connect with the advising team

Meet with an advisor            
Phone: 206.934.4068            
AdvisorCentral@seattlecolleges.edu

Find more information about drop-in hours here.          
Schedule an appointment through Starfish

Resources

• Online Class Schedule
• List of Programs

Register for Classes

Register for classes using the online student services portal, ctcLink, during your registration appointment time. Registration times can be found on the academic calendar. More information on resources for using ctcLink.

Pro Tips:

• 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, which are published about six weeks before the quarter starts.
• 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: View the Class Schedule and register for classes during registration appointment times through the class schedule. Go to "Enroll in a Class"
  • In-person registration: Get personal help at the Registration Office in the Enrollment Services area, room BE1104 during regular business hours.

Permission Codes

If a course requires a permission code, an advisor can issue you a code if you meet the requirements. Use the drop in advising option to receive a permission code.

Stay in the Know

Email is the primary mode of communication with students. These emails may include information about admissions, headline dates, registration, waitlist status updates, dropping for non-payment, residency, transfer credit evaluation, an graduation. Be sure to keep your email address current and up to date.

Note: Waitlisted students must attend the first day of class with an Add/Drop form to get 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 disbursement details with the Financial Aid office or online.

Buy Books & Supplies

The online bookstore simplifies the textbook process and offers a variety of physical and digital textbook formats. 

• Visit the online bookstore webpage to learn more and access helpful how to order video guides.
• Enter the bookstore here

Plan Parking & Transportation

For help with planning a commute to Seattle Central, learn about ORCA cards and student parking permits.

Get a Seattle Central Photo ID Card

Photo identification (ID) cards are required for all students and can be found in the Enrollment Services lobby. We suggest you get an ID card as soon as you have registered for classes.

Pro Tip: If you still have your ID card from the last time you attended SCC, simply visit the ID center to get it re-activated! Unfortunately, if you lost your old ID card, you may need to pay $30 for a replacement.

Congratulations! You are now re-enrolled at Seattle Central.