WA Resident

Please see the Residency Requirement for information about how resident/non-resident classifications are determined and waivers of non-resident tuition differential.

International students should check the International Programs page for additional information on costs and payment.

Non-Resident

WA Resident

Please see the Residency Requirement for information about how resident/non-resident classifications are determined and waivers of non-resident tuition differential.

 International students should check the International Programs page for additional information on costs and payment.

Non Resident 

Some WCC courses are not "state support" and are charged at a non-standard rate set by Whatcom Community College. These courses include:

• Some online fee-based courses are charged at $120.00 per credit for resident and non-resident students
• All Massage Therapist program core courses: $290/credit (lab fees are inclusive) for both resident and non-resident students.
• Online Physical Therapist Assistant program credits which are charged at the Resident Tuition rates (for resident students), and at the Non-resident Tuition rates (for non-resident students) as listed above.
• Adult Basic Education (ABE) & English Language Learner (ELL) courses at level 090 and below; visit the ABE and ELL webpages for specific program information

Some specific courses may require additional fees. Some of the fees are listed below. Please see individual web pages or contact departments for further information on fees. 

• Study abroad classes (section SA): $25.00 per credit, in lieu of tuition (the credits for these classes are not included when calculating per credit tuition costs in the sample calculations above).
• Science classes: $30 per class to support consumables and lab-specific materials and support.
• Late enrollment fee: $50.00 per student. See registration calendar for late enrollment deadlines.
• Selective entry programs: A $25 to $50 non-refundable application fee is required when applying to the Massage Practitioner, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Visual Communications, IT Networking-Cybersecurity (BAS), and Social Work (BAS) programs. See individual program web pages for details.

Tuition and fees are due approximately three weeks before each quarter begins. Please refer to the Registration Calendar for specific dates. 

Pay your tuition/fees online: Login to ctcLink, navigate to "Student homepage", select "Financial Account", select "Payments", and then select "Make a payment"

Tuition payment plans are available. Students may self-enroll in the NelNet payment plan through ctcLink.

Students unable to make payment by published due dates are dropped from unpaid classes.

• After that date, all tuition/fees for re-registrations are due the following Monday by close of business defined as:
  • By 3:30 p.m. for in-person transactions
  • By 9:30 p.m. for online payment transactions
• Beginning Monday of the calendar week the quarter starts, all tuition/fees are due daily by close of business.
• Students who do not meet payment deadlines are administratively withdrawn from some or all of their classes.

Pay tuition/fees in-person:

• Pay at the Cashier window Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Nonpayment: Pursuant to state law (RCW 28B.10.293 and RCW 19.16.500) any debts to the college will be increased by costs and expenses incurred in the collection of such debts.

Please refer to the quarterly Registration Calendar for withdrawal and refund deadlines. Refund dates for classes with non-standard start/end dates may be prorated based on the length of the class. Students who stop attending without officially withdrawing will forfeit all claims to credits in classes and refund of tuition and fees. Information about exceptions to the college's refund policy, based on medical emergencies or call to active military duty, can be found in the current catalog.

Contact registration@whatcom.edu for more information about tuition rates and available waiver programs.

To qualify you must be  60 years of age and meet the Washington State residency requirements for in-state tuition. You can take two state-support classes per term using the senior waiver (fee-based classes are not eligible). Classes are $5 per term when you use the waiver. In addition to the Tuition, the following mandatory fees apply: comprehensive, technology, recreation center, and bus pass fee. You will not receive academic credit for classes paid for with the waiver.

Follow the steps below to request a Senior Waiver and get enrolled in classes.

1. If you are a new student and don’t already have a ctcLink student ID number, submit an admissions application online to get one.
   Note: If you are a previous student who has been away from Whatcom for at least one year, you will need to re-apply online. For assistance on how to submit a new admissions application, re-apply online, or locate your ctcLink student ID number please email registration@whatcom.edu.
2. Use the class schedule search to find the classes you would like to enroll in. You will need the course name and class number for the next step.
3. Fill out and submit the Senior Waiver web form. The Registration & Records team will enroll you in eligible classes on the first day of the term and apply the senior waiver. You will receive an email letting you know of the status of your enrollment and waiver.
   Note: You cannot use the senior waiver on classes that are full, waitlisted, or fee based.
4. Pay in person at the Cashier’s window in Laidlaw Center 141.

For questions or assistance filling out the senior waiver please email records@whatcom.edu.

Employees of WA state may qualify to take two tuition based classes per quarter AT A REDUCED COST. Classes need to have space available on the first day of the quarter. Classes that are full or have a waitlist are not eligible. Instructors are not able to override these restrictions. Follow these steps to register for classes.

1. Apply online to get a student ID number if you don’t already have one. If you are a previous student who has been away from Whatcom for at least one year you will need to re-apply online. For assistance on how to apply, email registration@whatcom.edu.
2. Search for tuition based class(es) using class schedule search. You will need the course and item number for the next step. For example: Course (ENGL&101) Item Number (1234). For assistance choosing classes contact the Advising Office at advise@whatcom.edu.
3. Complete the State Employee Waiver. The waiver requires your HR department to sign and verify your eligibility.
4. Submit the waiver to registration@whatcom.edu. Classes that are full, have a waitlist, or fee based are not eligible. The Enrollment Services will add you to the class(es) and apply the employee waiver on the first day of the quarter, and will send an email to your student email address after the transaction is completed.
5. Pay online.

For questions or assistance filling out the employee waiver please email
registration@whatcom.edu

Employees of WCC may qualify to take two tuition based classes per quarter AT A REDUCED COST. Classes need to have space available on the first day of the quarter. Classes that are full or have a waitlist are not eligible. Instructors are not able to override these restrictions. Follow these steps to register for classes.

1. Apply online to activate your student account and student ID number, which will be the same as your employee ID. For assistance on how to apply, email registration@whatcom.edu.
2. Search for tuition based class(es) using class schedule search. You will need the course and item number for the next step. For example: Course (ENGL&101) Item Number (1234). For assistance choosing classes contact the Advising Office at advise@whatcom.edu.
3. Submit the WCC employee tuition waiver request to HR before the first day of the quarter at HR@whatcom.edu or 360-383-3400 to initiate the waiver process and to confirm that you meet eligibility requirements.
4. Pay online.

For questions or assistance filling out the employee waiver please email records@whatcom.edu.

No application required. Eligibility determined at time of admission.

The WA State legislature established this waiver to honor active and reserve veterans, National Guard members, and their dependents. This is a mandatory tuition waivers for a child or spouse of totally disabled (100% combined service connected disability rating with VA) or POW/MIA or deceased eligible veterans or National Guard Members. Colleges shall waive all tuition (operating and fees, excluding student imposed fees) and services and activities for:

• Child or spouse of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who became totally disabled while engaged in active federal military or naval service. “Totally Disabled” means a person who has been determined to be 100% disabled (100% combined service connected disability rating) by the Federal Department of Veteran Affairs.Child and spouse of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who is determined/declared to be a Prisoner of War or Missing in Action.
• Child and spouse of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who lost his or her life.

Conditions for applying for this waiver include:

• The child and/or spouse must have Washington domiciliary. "Washington domiciliary" means a person whose true, fixed, and permanent house and place of habitation is in the state of Washington.
• Child must be between the age of 17 and 26.
• A child’s marital status does not affect eligibility.
• Surviving spouses or children have 10 years from the date of the death, total disability, or federal determination of prisoner of war or missing in action status of the eligible veteran or National Guard member to receive the waiver.
• Surviving spouses are ineligible for the waiver upon remarriage.
• Each recipient’s continued participation in the waiver program is subject to the college’s satisfactory progress.

Contact Whatcom’s Veteran Services office 360.383.3015 veterans@whatcom.edu for assistance with completing the waiver application or any questions about the waiver.

Certain non-residents who are US citizens or have permanent resident immigration status and meet additional eligibility criteria. Residence Checklist/Application for Non-Resident Waiver.