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Welcome to fall quarter! Visit the fall quarter overview page for helpful links and resources.

Pay for College

Home/Pay for College
Pay for College 2023-08-23T13:05:29+00:00

Pay for College

Looking for ways to finance your education? You are not alone. Most students at Highline receive some sort of help paying for college. Take a look at these options.

Highline College Financial AidPaying for college can be a challenge. We offer various options to help you. These options include state and federal financial aid as well as scholarships. Even if you believe you are not eligible for financial aid, complete the application anyway (Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA). You may be surprised. If you can’t afford to pay tuition all at once, we offer a convenient payment plan option.

Learn more about FAFSA and apply online by visiting our Financial Aid Department.

Federal and State Financial Aid

Your eligibility for federal and state financial aid—including grants, certain loans and work study—is based on your FAFSA application.

Grants

The funds do not have to be paid back—unless you fail to meet the conditions of the award.

Loans

These funds must be paid back.

  • For a subsidized loan: The government pays the interest while you are in college, the first six months after you leave school and during a period of deferment.
  • For an unsubsidized loan: You are responsible for interest payments from the time you take out the loan, even while you are in college. You can pay while in college or delay the interest payments.

Student Employment/Work Study

You can earn a portion of your financial aid through working on or off campus.

Real Hope Act/WASFA

The Real Hope Act helps noncitizens—who meet certain eligibility requirements—apply for a Washington State Need Grant using the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).

Other Funding Options

Amazon Career Choice

Are you an hourly Amazon employee? If so, you may be eligible to have your tuition paid for through the Amazon Career Choice program at Highline College.

Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET)

BFET is open to students who receive benefits through the Department of Social & Health Services’ Basic Food program. Students can receive short-term assistance for tuition, books, fees, bus passes and child care.

Opportunity Grants

This program helps low-income adults take classes for specific high-wage, high-demand careers. The grant covers tuition for short-term programs, as well as some fees, books and supplies.

Scholarships

Highline offers scholarship opportunities through various campus programs and the college’s Foundation.

  • Scholarships do not have to be paid back.
  • Scholarship criteria varies for each award and can be based on academic achievement, athletic or artistic talent, financial need, fields of study or community service.
  • Scholarship applications are separate from the application for federal or state financial aid.

Installment Payment Plan

This program allows you to pay you tuition over the course of a quarter with no money down.

Tax Credits

The federal government allows you to claim tax credits for out-of-pocket tuition and related educational expenses through the American Opportunity Credit. At the end of the tax year, an IRS form 1098-T will be available in ctcLink to students who qualify.

Veterans’ Benefits

Education benefits are available for qualified veterans. Highline’s Veterans Services can help you complete your paperwork.

Workforce Retraining

If you are unemployed or face imminent layoff, this program helps pay for your first quarter of college—including tuition, fees and books—so you can take courses in a professional-technical program.

WorkFirst Services

If you are a parent who currently or recently received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), then you may be eligible to receive financial help with tuition costs and required textbooks for these classes: Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Educational Development (GED), English-as-a-Second Language (ESL), employment skill upgrade and vocational training.