Becoming a Shoreline Student
Admission Information:
Shoreline Community College
16101 Greenwood Avenue North
Shoreline, WA 98133-5696
Phone: (206) 546-4611
Fax: (206) 546-5835
E-mail: enrollmentservices@shoreline.edu
shoreline.edu/apply-and-aid
Students may begin their college education at Shoreline Community College in fall, winter, spring, or summer quarter. To apply for admission, students should submit an online application or a paper application (by mail, fax, or in person) to Enrollment Services. Applications should be submitted as early as possible before the quarter begins. Applicants will receive notification of acceptance and registration information by email.
Admission Eligibility
A candidate for admission to Shoreline Community College must be a graduate of an accredited high school, have a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or be at least 18 years of age. Applicants for programs that are targeted to specific populations under the age of 18 may be admitted under the specific guidelines established for each program. Students under the age of 16 are generally not admitted to the college. Upon admission, students may be required to submit any of the following records to the Enrollment & Financial Aid Services Office:
- College Transcripts
Students who have attended other colleges are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges from which they wish to transfer credit toward their Shoreline Community College degree. The College accepts credits earned at colleges or universities that are recognized by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities or other regionally accredited agencies. Transcripts of course work from other colleges may also be required to provide evidence of placement level before registration in English composition, reading, math or courses with prerequisites.
Students receiving federal financial aid or those receiving educational benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs are required to submit official transcripts from all prior colleges including, in the case of veterans, those attended before, during, and after active duty. Official transcripts submitted to Shoreline Community College become the property of the College.
- High School Transcripts
Students are encouraged to submit final, official high school transcripts to Enrollment Services. High school transcripts may be used to provide evidence of placement level and will assist advisors of students seeking to transfer to meet those institutions’ admissions and graduation requirements.
Students who have not graduated from high school
Applicants who have not graduated from high school may be required to verify placement before registration. The College recommends that applicants consider the High School Completion Program or the General Education Development test as an aid to planning the student’s program.
High school students attending a day high school full-time or part-time may also take high school completion classes or college credit classes to meet their own high school requirements. The student must have an authorization letter from his or her counselor or vice principal stating that the high school will allow the student to attend the college classes and will accept the credits earned.
The Running Start program allows high school juniors and seniors to take college classes. See the Running Start section of this catalog for more information.
International Students
(206) 546-4697 • 9000 Building (PUB), Third Floor
shoreline.edu/international
International students are eligible to study at Shoreline with an F-1 visa. Shoreline Community College does NOT require international students to submit the results of an English proficiency exam with their application. Instead, each Shoreline student is asked to take an English as a Second Language (ESL) proficiency test upon arrival in the U.S. in order to be placed in the appropriate classes.
In order to apply for admission as an international student, the following items are required:
- A completed application form *
- Complete and official high school records (all years), as well as any college or university transcripts
- Evidence of financial responsibility
- Application fee
* Please contact International Education for an application packet.
Programs with Special Selection Procedures
Admission to the College does not guarantee acceptance into certain programs that have special admission requirements. Biotechnology, Dental Hygiene, Health Informatics and Information Management, Medical Laboratory Technology, Nursing, and The Honors College at Shoreline fall into this category. Other programs such as Automotive Service Technology have waiting lists due to high demand. Refer to the Professional-Technical Degree Programs section of this catalog for further information.
Audit Students
An audit student must be registered and have paid required tuition and fees. Class participation will be at the instructor’s discretion. No credit is earned. A student cannot change to or from audit status after the first day of the seventh week of the quarter. The audit grade appears as an “N” and will be permanently posted on the official transcript.
Determine Placement
shoreline.edu/placement
Some Shoreline courses require that students demonstrate prior knowledge and abilities to register. Examples of these courses include English, math, and science. Students can demonstrate that they have met the requirement by completing courses at the college or through a variety of placement methods.
Placement is a process by which students find the appropriate level of Math and English courses to support their success. Shoreline uses multiple measures to identify appropriate placement into courses.
Some of these include
- credits from another college;
- AP, IB, SAT, ACT, or GED scores;
- high school transcripts;
- Smarter Balanced Assessment scores;
- Directed Self-Placement for English;
- or a placement exam taken at Shoreline or another college.
Contact an advisor or visit shoreline.edu/placement for more information.
Provide Previous Credits
Transfer Credits
advising@shoreline.edu • (206) 546-4559
5000 Building (FOSS), Room 5229
shoreline.edu/advising
Credits earned at colleges or universities that are recognized by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities or other regional accrediting agencies are accepted by Shoreline Community College.
While selecting courses, Shoreline Community College advisors can review unofficial college transcript(s) to provide guidance about how credits will transfer. To ensure these credits count toward a Shoreline degree, students need to request official transcript(s) from previous college(s). Students then submit these transcripts along with a Transfer Degree Request for Transcript Evaluation form to Enrollment Services. Please note that it is not necessary to wait for completion of the transcript evaluation to register for classes.
Academic Credit by Prior Learning Assessment
Shoreline awards credits to students who can demonstrate their prior learning in four general categories:
- Prior Experiential Learning (PEL): Students work with a faculty subject matter expert to determine whether documentable work experience aligns with learning outcomes for a particular course or courses. Students submit a compilation of their work, such as a portfolio, which the faculty subject matter expert reviews to determine whether credit can be awarded.
- Extra-Institutional Learning (EIL): For some Shoreline courses, specific workplace training (e.g., Police Academy) has been established as equivalent and relevant credit may be awarded.
- Credit by Testing: Shoreline awards credit for college-level standardized tests such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge International (CI).
- Course Challenge: For some Shoreline courses, students can take an exam developed by Shoreline faculty subject matter experts to demonstrate their prior learning and receive any applicable credit.
There are restrictions on how and when credit by prior learning assessment can be awarded. For more information, see the Credit for Prior Learning web page.
Financial Aid
financialaid@shoreline.edu • (206) 546-4762 • 5000 Building (FOSS), Room 5220
shoreline.edu/apply-and-aid/financial-aid
The Financial Aid office provides financial assistance to individuals who have completed the financial aid process and are eligible for aid as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). For more information regarding eligibility requirements refer to the 2023-24 Financial Aid Guide. Sources of aid include federal, state, and institutional grants; loans; and work-study jobs. Details are available at https://studentaid.gov for FAFSA, https://wsac.wa.gov/WASFA for WASFA, or visit www.shoreline.edu/apply-and-aid/financial-aid.
If the student has completed the FAFSA or WASFA and their family’s circumstances have changed dramatically in 2023 (e.g. loss of job, death, marital separation, etc.) ask the Financial Aid Office about a re-evaluation or review the 2023-2024 Requests for Reevaluation forms available on the website.
See the Funding & Aid Sources page for more information about additional funding sources, such as Workforce Education, for which students may be eligible.
Application Procedure
Shoreline Community College processes financial aid files based on the date the student turned in the last required document. A student’s file is not considered complete and ready to process for a financial aid offer until all required documents are submitted. If the file is complete and the student is asked to submit additional documentation during processing, they do not lose their original file complete date as long as documentation is turned in within two weeks.
Students should apply as early as possible and have a completed file by the deadline of the quarter the student plans to start taking classes. If the deadline is missed, students should plan to pay tuition, fees and books using their own funds. Students may be reimbursed if they are later found to be eligible for aid. Visit our webpage for our 2023-24 application deadlines.
Family Contribution & Family Need
The Financial Aid office uses the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) which appears on the Student Aid Report (SAR) or processed FAFSA or WASFA to calculate financial aid offers. The EFC is calculated using a federal methodology and is the amount students and/or families are expected to contribute towards their education for three quarters. The EFC is used in an equation to determine financial need as follows: The Cost of Attendance minus the EFC equals unmet need.
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance is a key part of the formula that determines financial need. Excluding the cost of tuition, the Cost of Attendance is established by the Washington Financial Aid Association (WFAA) each year. The cost of tuition is set by the state legislature. The Cost of Attendance reflects costs for the nine month academic year (October to June). The Cost of Attendance includes only a portion of living expenses related to the cost of attending college. It is not meant to reflect every expense a student or a student’s family may incur. Refer to our website for the 2023-24 Cost of Attendance figures.
Notification of Aid Offer
When offered aid, students receive an Aid Offer Notification via email which directs students to review the type and amount of aid offered for each quarter on ctcLink through student self-service. Students only need to notify the Financial Aid office if they are not attending Shoreline Community College, plan to enroll less than fulltime, or they are rejecting their aid or canceling a portion of the aid offered. For types of aid available, please see the 2023-24 Financial Aid Guide.
Students’ Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students apply for and/or receiving financial aid are required to make and maintain satisfactory academic progress in their course of study and complete their program within the credit limitations. See the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy for more information.
Repayment
Repayment is when a student has to pay back some or all of their financial aid. If a student receives a federal grant and/or loans, they must attend more than 60% of the quarter to earn all (100%) of their aid. If the student stops attending or does not receive passing grades, we are required to determine how much financial aid the student “earned” and return any “unearned” funds.
If the student has attended less than 60% of the quarter, they may owe a repayment to financial aid. This may include federal and state grants and their tuition costs. If Shoreline Community College returns funds to federal or state agencies, these funds first come from money that was used to pay the student’s tuition. When this occurs, the student needs to repay Shoreline Community College the balance of tuition. Please visit our website for more information on the census date, refunds, and repayments.
Workforce Education Program
Workforce Education helps pay for your educational costs at Shoreline Community College.
To qualify you can be enrolled in the following:
- Prerequisites to Professional-Technical Programs
- Professional-Technical certificates or degrees
- Adult Basic Education, ESL classes, GED or High School 21+
- **NEW BFET can pay for Transfer Degrees
Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET)
(206) 546-7843, 5000 Building, Room 5101
Type of Assistance
- Tuition, fees, books, & required supplies
- Parking pass or bus pass
- Childcare assistance from DSHS
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be receiving DSHS Basic Food Assistance
- Washington State resident for a year
Opportunity Grant
(206) 546-6961, 5000 Building, Room 5101
Type of Assistance
- Tuition, fees, books, required supplies
Eligibility Requirements
- Low income (must provide evidence of income)
- Washington State resident for a year
- Have not earned Associates or higher degree from a U.S. school
- Enrolled in one of the following Professional/Technical Programs:
Accounting, Automotive, Clean Energy Technology & Entrepreneurship, Health Informatics & Information Management, Manufacturing, Microsoft Software Applications certificate, Nursing Assistant Certified, and Visual Communication Technology
Worker Retraining
(206) 546-6957 • 5000 Building, Room 5101
Type of Assistance
Eligibility Requirements
- Students who are receiving Unemployment Insurance or who have exhausted their Unemployment Insurance in the past 48 months
- Have received a layoff notice
- Displaced home-maker
- Formerly self-employed
- Veteran
WorkFirst
(206) 533-6754 • 5000 Building, Room 5101
The WorkFirst program assists parents receiving TANF/cash assistance to achieve their educational and employment goals.
Type of Assistance
- Tuition, fees, books
- Case management support
- Support services, such as childcare and transportation, may be authorized by DSHS
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a parent of a child 18 years or younger
- Currently receiving TANF cash assistance
- Your DSHS case manager must send a referral to the college
Other Types of Aid
Shoreline Community College Foundation
(206) 546-4755 • 1000 Building, Room 1005
shoreline.edu/foundation
The Shoreline Community College Foundation is dedicated to increasing student access and success at the College through raising funds, building partnerships, and advocating for students and the college. The Foundation offers scholarships and also provides emergency financial assistance to eligible students with pressing needs. The Foundation currently manages a variety of accounts and endowments on behalf of generous donors and departments for the benefit of students. A volunteer board of directors composed of representatives of community leaders, business and industry, alumni, and educators governs the Foundation.
High School Programs
Please check out High School Programs for a variety of programs that offer free or reduced tuition for individuals who have not completed high school.
Select Your Courses
advising@shoreline.edu • (206) 546-4559
5000 Building (FOSS), Room 5229
shoreline.edu/advising
Prior to registration, students should meet with an advisor to plan which courses they will select for the next quarter. Students determine which classes they need by reviewing their degree progress to-date and planning guides for specific educational goals. Planning guides can be found on the college website. Students should make sure they have prerequisites for each course completed, find the right instructors for their learning style, figure out the scheduling of their classes to meet their work and personal needs, and review how their academic choices align with funding guidelines. This planning can be complicated, and it is strongly recommended to seek assistance from an advisor when selecting courses.
Register for Courses
enrollmentservices@shoreline.edu • (206) 546-4611 • FOSS 5200
shoreline.edu/apply-and-aid
Veterans, other qualified military-connected students, and students with disabilities receive priority registration for classes. Please contact Veterans Programs (manderson4@shoreline.edu, 206-546-4645) or Student Accessibility Services (sas@shoreline.edu, 206-546-4545, TTY 206-546-4520) for assistance in ensuring receipt of priority registration.
The registration procedure allows continuing students with the largest number of accumulated credits to register first. This permits students to move up in the priority order each quarter they are in attendance. In-person registration may be by written proxy if a student is unable to report at the scheduled time.
All students will be assigned to and are encouraged to consult with an advisor. The signature of an advisor will be required to register only for students who:
- Are taking English as a second language classes (ESL);
- Are non-immigrants attending on a student visa;
- Are pursuing a vocational degree program which requires a competitive admission process;
- Are attending Shoreline Community College in the Running Start or High School Completion Program; or
- Have met a pre-requisite for a course which is verified by an advisor.
Online Registration
Students at Shoreline Community College can also register online on or after their scheduled appointment date. Online registration is available from the application date through the first week of each quarter.
Automatic Waitlist
Students can put themselves on a waitlist when they register for a full class or check their position on a waitlist. Registration into a waitlisted class is automatic when space becomes available until the waitlist cutoff date. Students are responsible for reviewing their enrollment status on the waitlist and any associated tuition charges. See the quarterly class schedule for specific dates. The signature of the instructor is required to register for a waitlisted class after the waitlist cutoff date.
Change of Registration
Students are encouraged to be enrolled and attending classes on the first day of instruction so they can benefit from participating in a full quarter of class sessions and have the best opportunity to complete their classes successfully.
Students desiring to change their class schedules during the first five days of a quarter may do so online, or complete a class schedule change form and take it to Enrollment Services. No signatures are required except in the case of full or special permission classes, as indicated in the class schedule. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm any schedule changes with Enrollment Services. The advisor’s signature is required if the student wishes to enroll in more than 23 credits in one quarter.
From the 6th through the 10th days of instruction:
- Adding a class will require that the student submit a late enrollment petition form to the instructor and dean, explaining the reason for requesting late enrollment. A late enrollment request will be granted only in rare and unusual circumstances, with written approval from the instructor and the dean. Students will not be able to enroll in classes after the 10th instructional day of the quarter.
- Withdrawing from a class is possible without the signature or emailed permission of the instructor.
From the first day of the third week through the first day of the seventh week of the quarter, withdrawal from a class requires the signature or emailed permission of the instructor(s). During this time a grade of “W” will be automatically given for dropped classes. Students can forward their instructor’s email permission to withdraw to sccadmis@shoreline.edu.
From the second day of the seventh week of the quarter, no “W” grades will be issued. The instructor will assign the proper grade on the grade roster (see Grading System section of this catalog).
*Summer quarter deadlines differ. Please refer to the Summer class schedule.
Pay Tuition
Payment for tuition and fees is due within 5 business days of registering or by the first day of the quarter, whichever happens first. The payment timeline for Fall differs; see the Fall quarter class schedule for information.
Drop for Nonpayment
Students who fail to pay their tuition in full by the tuition payment deadline may be administratively withdrawn from classes for which no payment was made. After a student is dropped, the College sends an email to a student’s Shoreline email account as notification. Students may re-register for courses at this time, but if classes are full, they will be added to the waitlist.
Schedule of Tuition and Fees
As a Washington state public institution, Shoreline Community College is required to comply with all applicable state laws regarding residency classification. In general, a student is considered a “resident” for tuition and fee purposes under the following conditions:
- The student is a US citizen, has permanent resident status, or is otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law; and
- The student is financially independent** for the current calendar year and the calendar year prior to that in which the application is made; and
- The student is in Washington primarily for reasons other than educational and has officially established Washington as his or her true, fixed and permanent home and place of habitation for a period of at least one year prior to the start of the quarter of enrollment.
** If a student is not financially independent, then his/her residency is based on whether one or both parents/legal guardians have met all residency requirements.
Washington state laws require that new residents of Washington change out-of state driver’s licenses and out-of-state vehicle registrations within 30 days of arrival in this state (references: RCW 46.16.028 and RCW46.20.021). New residents should also change out-of state voter registrations. Students will be initially classified as “resident” or “non-resident” based on the information derived from the application for admission.
Other conditions which might qualify a student for resident status are:
- Members/dependents of the US military or Washington National Guard; or
- Students who are not US citizens and do not have permanent resident immigration status, but attended a Washington state high school for at least 3 years and have graduated, and are eligible for HB1079 and have completed an affidavit for review; or
- Members of certain American Indian Tribes (reference RCW 28B.15.0131).
Students should contact Enrollment Services for complete details regarding residency classification. A student wishing to change his or her residency classification must petition the college by completing an original Residency Questionnaire form (obtainable online or in Enrollment Services) and by providing necessary documentation. This should be completed before registration, or no later than 30 days from the start of the quarter.
Tuition and Fees
Shoreline Community College offers tuition rates for resident, U.S. citizen non-residents, and international students. Tuition and fees may be paid using Visa, MasterCard, debit card, or personal check.
Please visit the Tuition and Fees webpage for current tuition and fee rates.
Payment for tuition and fees are due within 5 business days of registering or by the first day of the quarter, whichever is first.
Notes:
- Tuition is subject to change by the State Legislature and State Board for Community & Technical Colleges.
- All fees are subject to change pending proposed fee increases by the Student Body Association and subsequent approval by the Board of Trustees, or further clarification of actions by the Legislature.
- For purposes of being considered “full-time” for funding from federal and state financial aid programs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security, and most other outside agencies, a student is required to carry at least 12 credits.
Refund Policies
Refunds are made according to the following schedule, (some exceptions apply, see Notes below):
Before first week* of the quarter: full refund except for fees listed in the schedule of fees as non-refundable.
During the first week of the quarter: 100% of refundable fees. (Summer Quarter: see class schedule.) Withdrawal is not reflected on student transcript.
Second week of the quarter: 50% of refundable fees. (Summer Quarter: see class schedule.) Withdrawal is not reflected on student transcript.
Third week of the quarter: 50% of refundable fees. (Summer Quarter: see class schedule.) Withdrawal appears as a “W’ on student transcript.
After the third week of the quarter: No refund will be issued. (Summer Quarter: see class schedule.) Students who withdraw from the College without complying with official withdrawal procedures, and students who are asked to withdraw by the College, do not receive a refund of fees.
Example 1: Student A officially withdraws during the first week of the quarter. Whether or not the student attended class, he or she is eligible for a 100% refund.
Example 2: Student B withdraws halfway through the third week of the quarter. The student is eligible for a 50% refund of tuition; the College retains 50%. (See Summer Quarter class schedule for equivalent.)
Note: Financial Aid recipients should refer to the examples in the Financial Aid section, since different regulations and percentages may apply.
Note: Student fees for Continuing Education classes are refundable up to two business days before the class begins. Refunds will be made if a class is cancelled by the College.
Note: Refund policy may differ for shortened or late-starting classes.
* For purposes of this policy a “week” consists of five consecutive days excluding Saturdays, Sundays and official college holidays or the Summer equivalent. (e.g. If the first day of the quarter is a Wednesday, then the first week of the quarter is Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday).
Refunding of Fees
A refund of fees is made either when a student officially withdraws from the College or when there is a partial withdrawal (reduction in credit hours) during the quarterly refund period. Financial aid recipients may be required to repay some or all financial aid upon withdrawal, depending on the type of aid received, the documented last day of attendance, and applicable rules and regulations governing financial aid. For refunds for financial aid recipients, see the Financial Aid section of this catalog.
Records
sccadmis@shoreline.edu • (206) 546-4611
shoreline.edu/apply-and-aid
Confidentiality
Shoreline Community College protects student privacy as required by federal law in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. A student at the College may have all personal information held confidential. The Enrollment & Financial Aid Services Office can provide this special service.
Name Changes
Continuing or returning students are required to submit legal documentation for a change of name as it appears on Shoreline records. Acceptable documentation would be a marriage certificate, court order, divorce decree with name change, or notarized copy thereof. Legal photo identification is also required. Students should contact Enrollment Services at enrollmentservices@shoreline.edu for information on changing their name across all systems on campus.
Shoreline Community College recognizes that students may want to use a preferred name while attending classes. Students can set a preferred name through ctcLink, and information on how to make this change is available on the college’s website.
Student ctcLink Identification Number
Students are issued a randomly assigned student identification number at the time of admission. Disclosure of social security numbers is not mandatory, except for the purposes of financial aid, Federal American Opportunity Tax Credit, employment in any position at Shoreline Community College including work-study, and workforce or Employment Security reporting. Voluntary disclosure is authorized for the purposes of academic transcripts and assessment/accountability research. Social security numbers are confidential and will be protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Student Identification Cards
A new-student I.D. requires valid photo identification (such as a Washington State driver’s license or a passport) and a copy of a class schedule indicating that tuition due has been paid or documentation of a funding resource for tuition payment. The first student I.D. card issued is free. If the I.D. card is lost, stolen, or mutilated, replacement cards are $15. New I.D. cards issued due to a name change cost $5 and the name change must be completed in the Records Department in Enrollment & Financial Aid Services before the new card is issued in the PUB, Welcome Desk, on the second floor.
Transcript Requests
(206) 546-4614 • 5000 Building (FOSS), Second Floor
shoreline.edu/transcripts.aspx
Unofficial Transcripts are available through the ctcLink Student Center. Official Transcripts may be requested in person, by mail, or online. The Transcript Request form is available on the second floor of the 5000 building, or on Shoreline’s web site. Online requests must be paid for by credit or debit card.
Obtaining Information
Information kiosks are located in Enrollment & Financial Aid Services (5000 Building), Shoreline Bookstore, and the library, where students may view and print an unofficial copy of their records.
Holds on Student Records
A hold on a student’s record will prevent students from registering and paying online. Students can have holds placed on their records for various reasons:
- Students who are under age 16 must meet with Enrollment Services to have the hold removed.
- Students who have outstanding debts to the College, such as parking or library fines, will have the hold until their debt is cleared.
- Students who have been placed on academic intervention or restriction will have a hold placed on their record until meeting with an advisor and meeting expected quarterly GPA and earned credits (outlined in Academic Standards in this catalog).
- Students who are under conduct/disciplinary matters will have the hold per the guidelines outlined by the Conduct Officer.
Enrollment Services requires up to 24 hours to process the release of a hold on a student’s record.
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