CHOOSE YOUR PATHWAY Affordable | Accessible | Transferable
Running Start student Elizabeth Schmautz
7,491 students served annually 2,750 FTE (full-time equivalent) students
76% are pursuing transfer degrees 925 Running Start students from local high schools 322 international students
146 veterans 35% first-generation college students
16:1 student-faculty ratio
37% students of color 2022-23 Academic Year
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Why Choose
u WCC's Orca Central was was created with you in mind—a one-stop for services and support to help you enroll and succeed at Whatcom!
u Cedar Hall community provides housing for 230 students in a variety of suites and offers plenty of community space for studying, meeting and socializing.
u The Phyllis & Charles Self Learning Commons is a Gold Leed Certified building that hosts a state of the art library, Makerspace, study spaces, computer labs, photo studio, and more.
u State-of-the-art Health Professions Education Center . Nursing graduates pass licensing exams at rates well above national averages.
u Whatcom Community College has been designated a Washington State Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity .
u 42,000-square-foot Pavilion and Student Recreation Center with indoor track, fitness and strength training equipment, updated gym, and studio spaces.
u Whatcom Community College was selected by the University of Washington and the state Department of Health to advance leadership in health care education for western Washington and hosts the Area Health Education Center for Western Washington (AHECWW) on the WCC campus.
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Syre Student Center Located on the first floor of the Syre Student Center is the Orca Food Pantry and the campus store. The second floor is home to the Intercultural Center, Office of Student Life and Development, and International Programs. 5
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A Beautiful place to LIVE &
Whatcom Community College is located in Bellingham, Washington (population 82,000*)— a student-friendly town that is rated one of the top cities for outside adventurers. Positioned between the San Juan Islands and Cascade Mountains, Seattle and Vancouver, Canada, Bellingham is the largest city in Whatcom County (population 206,000*), an area of charming, small towns and scenic beauty. Bellingham offers an enviable quality of life and a wide variety of cultural and recreational opportunities such as an active arts community as well as skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking and kayaking. *as of 2023
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Orca Central Whether you’re exploring college for the first time, looking to return to WCC, needing help with financial aid, or wanting to meet with an advisor to register for classes, you’ll find help at Orca Central, located in Heiner Center.
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YOUR FUTURE, YOUR PATH Academic Transfer: Also known as the associate degree, these programs are designed to prepare you
to transfer to a university or stay at WCC to complete a bachelor degree. Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees (BAS): WCC offers BAS degrees in Applied Business Management, IT Networking/Cybersecurity, and Social Work. Certificates and Non-Transfer Degrees: Enter a program designed to get you job skills for an in-demand
field or retool in a particular field. Sometimes called professional/technical programs, you’ll learn through a hands-on approach so you’ll be job ready. Running Start:
High school juniors and seniors may attend WCC, tuition-free, earning credits for both college and high school, through a statewide partnership between Whatcom Community College and local high schools in Washington. English Language Learners (ELL): WCC offers classes for non-native speakers of English that focuses on developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. We have students from all over the world taking classes for personal and career growth, as well as to prepare for beginning a college degree or certificate program.
Pre-College Programs: WCC offers a Competency-based high school diploma program. Students can start anytime and are able to earn credit for life and work experience. This flexible program is fully online to meet the needs of adults who may be working or caring for family. WCC offers access to financial aid and college courses so students can complete high school and earn college credits at the same time.
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WCC’s AREAS OF STUDY
whatcom.edu/ areas-of-study
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AREAS OF STUDY (continued)
Areas of Study group together related “pathways,” which are the subjects or topics that you wish to explore. Sometimes these are referred to as majors at universities. WCC’s Areas of Study and pathways help you figure out what direction to take, and you’ll work with an advisor to build a plan for your future.
ARTS & COMMUNICATION Communication Studies Dance Drama English Composition & Literature Film Graphic Design/Web Design Humanities Interdisciplinary Studies Journalism Music Visual Art Visual Communications World Languages (ASL, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
BUSINESS Accounting Applied Business Management (BAS)* Business (transfer) Business Administration Finance Hospitality & Tourism Management Office Administration Retail Business Management
Environmental Studies Geography History Philosophy Political Science Psychology Sociology EDUCATION & PUBLIC SERVICES Criminal Justice Early Childhood Education Education/Teaching K-12
CULTURE & SOCIETY Anthropology Archaeology Economics
Human Services Paralegal Studies
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HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SERVICES Community Health Food Science/Nutrition
Network Administration Software Development Software Engineering Technical Support UAS (Drone) Fleet Management SCIENCE, ENGINEERING & MATH Aeronautical Engineering Anthropology/Biology Architecture Atmospheric Sciences Bioengineering Biology Chemical Engineering Chemistry Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Earth Sciences Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Environmental Science General Engineering
Geology Industrial Design Industrial Engineering Materials Science Engineering Math Mechanical Engineering Ocean Science Physics Pre-Medical Programs (Pharmacy, Medicine, Veterinary, etc.) TRANSITIONAL LEARNING English Language Learner High School Completion / GED Pre-College Adult Education
Massage Therapist Medical Assisting Nursing
Nursing Assistant Physical Education Physical Therapist Assistant Pre-Healthcare Programs (Dental Hygiene, Kinesiology, etc.) Social Work (BAS)* Substance Use Disorder Professional INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & COMPUTER SCIENCE Computer Information Systems Computer Science Cybersecurity IT Networking-Cybersecurity (BAS)*
*BAS = Bachelor of Applied Science
whatcom.edu/areas-of-study
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Cedar Hall: Residence Life Housing Cedar Hall is WCC’s on-campus student housing which is apartment-style living centered around building community. Individual living spaces are designed to encourage students to use common areas, engage with fellow students, and reduce excess resource consumption. WCC’s Residence Life experience is centered on building positive relationships.
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You Can Afford College, Whatcom’s affordable tuition makes a first-rate college education possible for thousands of students. WCC has many additional funding support opportunities including scholarships, grants, workforce education funding, the Worker Retraining program and more.
$ 13,545
$ 12,645
$ 9,171
$ 7,995
$ 900
$ 1,176
Books & Supplies
Tuition & Fees
Total
Books & Supplies
Tuition & Fees
Total
University of Washington
Western Washington University
*Estimated costs for 2023-24 academic year
“With this scholarship, I will be able to continue my studies without worry about if my regular financial aid will cover all of it which is such a load of my shoulders. This scholarship will help tremendously with my stress and worry. I could feel my shoulders become lighter and my mind become less full.” Mattie Sickafoose – Transfer Degree: Education Elva Pinson Clarke Endowed Scholarship
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We Can Help
Questions? Contact WCC Financial Aid: whatcom.edu/finaid
$
$ 5,810
$ 4,868
*Costs are estimates and assume the student is a Washington state resident, taking 45 credits in a the 2023-2024 school year. Does not include room and board, transportation or personal costs. You could save over 50 %
$ 942
Books & Supplies
Tuition & Fees
Total
Whatcom Community College
“When I first saw I was awarded this scholarship I was blown away. It means the world to me that I am supported by my community and that the foundation saw fit to award me this money. Having this support, and knowing that people believe in me, inspires me to tackle year two with the same energy I had in year one.” Brian Cropp – Nursing Catherine C. Kitty Stimpson Scholarship
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Paying for College
Apply Early for Financial Aid Access to financial aid means you can continue your education at a more affordable cost. Apply online with the WASFA by visiting wsac.wa.gov/WASFAelig or FASFA by visiting studentaid.gov/fafsa . To be considered for priority funding students must submit their FAFSA by March 15th and complete all other application requirements by the date indicated below for the quarter in which the they will be starting their enrollment at WCC. Applications completed after this date will be considered for remaining available funds.
Key application dates:
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APRIL
MAY
FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid WASFA* = Washington Application for State Financial Aid
3-8 WEEKS AFTER SUBMITTING Check ctcLink at WCC for awards or missing information
JAN-MARCH Work on your application! Attend support events in your community
FAFSA/WASFA Opens sometime in December
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Questions? Contact WCC Financial Aid: whatcom.edu/finaid
WCC students meeting with Orca Central staff in Heiner Center
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Athletics Varsity athletic programs at WCC provide the opportunity for students to receive athletics scholarships and tuition waivers, covering up to 65% of their tuition! Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET) A program that can help you not only pay for classes, but also for childcare, food, and rent. Eligibility is partially determined by your income and partially by what degree you’re earning. Financial Aid Students can apply for financial aid with the FAFSA or WASFA as a great first step to see what grants, scholarships, or loans they might be eligible for based on household size, income, and financial need. Foundation Scholarships The Whatcom Community College Foundation has private scholarships and grants available to help support students attain their educational goals. Opportunity Grant Can help Washington residents pay for up to 45 credits, including a book stipend. Eligibility is partially determined by your income and partially by what degree you’re earning. Explore Your Funding Options DID YOU KNOW? The National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) estimates that an average of $100 million in scholarship funds are left unclaimed every academic year. This is mainly due to “a lack of applicants,” they note, adding that scholarship providers consider a lot more than grades when choosing recipients for their awards. There is immense value in the community college experience. There are all kinds of options when it comes to paying for college…
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Passport to College for Foster Youth Washington state’s publicly-funded scholarship and support program for students from foster care, and those who have experienced unaccompanied homelessness. Running Start An opportunity for local high school students to earn Whatcom credit and high school credit at the same time. Running Start students pay some fees, but not tuition. Veterans Benefits Veterans may be eligible to use Veteran’s Administration benefits at Whatcom. If you’re a veteran, or the child of a veteran, be sure to connect with Veteran Services as early as possible. WA College Grant May help you attend Whatcom Community for FREE! Simply submit a FAFSA or WASFA to be considered. Worker Retraining Program A funding and support program for individuals who are needing to retrain for a new career due to a lack of demand for their skills. Worker Retraining can cover tuition/books, childcare, and transportation. WorkFirst Washington state’s welfare reform program that helps people in low-income families find jobs, keep their jobs, find better jobs, and become self-sufficient.
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6 easy steps to GET STARTED AT WCC
Complete your application s Go to ORCA CENTRAL or apply online: whatcom.edu/applynow & apply for Financial Aid whatcom.edu/finaid & find other funding ........................................ Set up and activate your network accounts Expect a link in your WCC welcome email for details about your student network account...............................................................................................
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Find your academic starting point Complete your English and Math self-guided placement ...............................
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Schedule an appointment with an advisor and sign up for classes Use your student portal, visit ORCA CENTRAL or call 360.383.3080 ..........
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Get your Orca Card Use as your bus pass, gym pass, to print copies ($15 preloaded), and more ............................................................
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Pay tuition Visit your student portal or the cashier’s window ............................................
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APPLY NOW!
apply to WCC: whatcom.edu/ applynow
key dates: Find registration deadlines, orientation dates and other important information at whatcom.edu/events. Know your financial aid deadlines. Visit whatcom.edu/finaid and click on important dates. visit us on campus! Discover why WCC is the place for you! Schedule a campus tour at: whatcom.edu/tour.
WCC student working on his laptop at the Phyllis and Charles Self Learning Commons.
To make an appointment with an academic advisor, call 360.383.3080.
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WCC students gather at the Simpson Intercultural Center for a fireside chat.
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CREATE YOUR CREW
Intercultural Center (left) : Our connections with each other are important! Many of us learn better when we study together. In the Intercultural Center, we consider community building to be an invaluable component of academic support as well as an important way to work toward social justice. Clubs: Associated Students of Whatcom Community College (ASWCC) Clubs provide an excellent atmosphere of leadership opportunities, new friends, and fun! There is no formal process to join an ASWCC Club, just attend a meeting and you are a member! Athletics: Intercollegiate athletics provides a variety of learning experiences for students and helps build pride and a sense of community for the College. WCC supports five intercollegiate varsity sport teams: men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. The Student Recreation Center, equipped with an indoor track, strength training equipment and more, is free to use for all students. Housing: Cedar Hall offers residential facilities, programs, and services designed to enhance student learning and support student success. Our diverse residential community offers interaction and communication with people from all over the world. Student Government: The Associated Students of Whatcom Community College (ASWCC) aims to enhance every student’s experience at WCC by providing students a means to be represented in College decision-making. The ASWCC comprises the Executive Board, Senate, Student Life Engagement Team, and Programming and Diversity Board.
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The Pavilion Use of the Pavillion and Student Recreation Center is included in student tuition. The Pavilion features an indoor track, fitness and strength training equipment, updated gym, and studio spaces.
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Email: orcacentral@whatcom.edu Phone: 360.383.3080 237 West Kellogg Road, Bellingham WA 98226 whatcom.edu/orcacentral
Whatcom Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender presentation, ancestry, ethnicity, family status, immigration status, citizenship, socioeconomic status, genetic information or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Stacey Carroll, Interim Executive Director for Human Resources, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: scarroll@ whatcom.edu, 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226. For Title IX compliance, contact Title IX Coordinator, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: titleix@whatcom.edu, 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226. WCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access & Disability Services office at 360.383.3139.
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