Financing Your Education

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Student Financial Services

The Student Financial Services Office at Cascadia College assists students in the process of applying for financial aid and finding ways to meet educational expenses. Financial aid is designed to assist students and/or their parents in paying basic educational costs for eligible degree programs. All of the financial aid programs at Cascadia College are administered in accordance with established state and federal regulations and policies. At the core of these policies is the belief that financing a student’s education is the primary responsibility of the student and their family. However, there are multiple resources students can access to pay for college. Cascadia offers grants, loans, scholarships, and work study to eligible students.

The basic formula for determining financial need is:

COA - SAI = Financial Need
Cost of Attendance (COA) Minus (-) Student Aid Index (SAI) Equals (=) Financial Need
Even students who do not demonstrate financial need for grants and work study may still qualify for a student loan.

Estimated Costs of College for Calculating Financial Aid

The following estimated average costs are used for full-time, in-state residents attending three quarters in the 2024-2025 school year. To be considered full-time for financial aid, veterans benefits, and most other outside agencies, students must take at least 12 credits per quarter. Financial aid is also available to students that are not attending full-time. Students should notify the financial aid office each quarter that they are not planning to be full-time.

2024 - 2025 Estimated Costs of College

ASSOCIATE DEGREES
  Full-Time Living with Parents Full-Time Not Living with Parents
Tuition and Fees* $5,157 $5,157
Books and Supplies $528 $528
Living Expenses $8,928 $17,310
Transportation $2,676 $2,898
Misc. $1,848 $1,848
TOTAL: $19,137 $27,741

* There may be additional fees associated with individual classes.

BACHELOR DEGREE
  Full-Time Living with Parents Full-Time Not Living with Parents
Tuition and Fees* $8,142 $8,142
Books and Supplies $528 $528
Living Expenses $8,928 $17,310
Transportation $2,676 $2,898
Misc. $1,848 $1,848
TOTAL: $22,122 $30,726

* There may be additional fees associated with individual classes.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

The U.S. Department of Education governs eligibility, conditions, and terms for federal grants, student loans, and federal work study. The State of Washington governs eligibility, conditions, and terms for state grants and state work study.

Here are the steps to get started in the application process for grants, student loans, or work study:

  1. Fill out a financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA). The application is the first step in determining your aid eligibility. If you are a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are a Washington state resident, and ineligible for federal aid because of immigration status, complete the (free) Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). If you are unsure about which application to complete, view this WASFA Questionnaire and you will be directed to the appropriate application for you.
    School Code
    Cascadia College’s Title IV school code is 034835. Use this code when completing your FAFSA.
  2. Once you have completed and the school receives your FAFSA/WASFA record and you have applied for and been admitted to the college, additional documents and information may be requested before the financial aid office will determine your eligibility for aid.
  3. Check your ctcLink account for outstanding items. You may also check your financial aid file status online through your ctcLink account, or contact the Student Financial Services Office by email at finaid@cascadia.edu.
    If it is determined that you are not eligible for grants, or if you receive a grant but it does not cover your estimated college costs, you can then apply for a student loan. The loan amount that you are eligible for may be reduced by the amount of any additional funds you receive.

Eligibility Requirements

All federal financial aid recipients must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen
  • Have a high school diploma or GED certificate
  • Have a valid social security number
  • Have been admitted to Cascadia and are enrolled in an eligible degree program
  • Meet satisfactory academic progress requirements
  • Not be in default on a student loan received at any school
  • Not owe a repayment of grant funds at any school attended
  • Provide all necessary financial information (including parents’ information, where required/requested)

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) must be maintained to be eligible for financial aid. Students must meet the academic standards of the college as well as the requirements for SAP as listed in the financial aid policy for progress. In general, students must successfully complete the courses they attempted, as well as earn a minimum cumulative GPA. Academic progress is monitored for each payment period/quarter. If a student’s financial aid eligibility is terminated as a result of not meeting the minimum standards, measures can be taken by the student for reinstatement as outlined in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. A complete copy of the policy is available in the Student Financial Services Office or on the Policies webpage.

Maximum Time Frame

Federal regulations state that students must complete their program of study within a maximum time frame in order to receive financial aid. Classes taken at Cascadia must be necessary degree requirements. Taking classes that are not degree requirements may result in a financial aid repayment and will cause students to reach their maximum time limit more quickly and may prevent them from completing their intended degree. Once it is determined that a student may be close to their maximum time limit, an appeal can be submitted to explain why the student has not yet met degree requirements. Submitting an appeal does not guarantee that a student can take the remaining classes required and receive financial aid to do so. However, once it has been determined that a student cannot complete their degree within the maximum time frame, financial aid will be denied per federal regulations and this is not appealable. A complete copy of the policy is available in the Student Financial Services Office or on the website.

Types of Aid

Cascadia College offers financial assistance to eligible students in the form of grants, work-study, scholarships, and loans. Generally, a student must be taking 3 or more credits to qualify for most financial aid. A student does not need to be attending full-time to receive financial aid. In order to receive a federal student loan, however, a student must be registered and attending 6 or more credits per quarter. Loan requests require additional paperwork to be submitted for a loan to be processed.

Financial aid awards may consist of one or more of the following programs:

Grants

Grants are “gift aid” and do not require repayment unless a student fails to maintain satisfactory progress and/or remain enrolled in classes. Cascadia College awards the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Washington College Grant, College Bound Scholarship, Washington Bridge Grant, Passport to College, and Cascadia Grant to eligible students. FSEOG and Cascadia Grants are awarded on a funds-available basis. Timely applications are important due to limited funds.

Work-Study Programs

Work-study awards are offered to students with “need” eligibility, enrolled half-time or more, and who indicate an interest in work-study on the FAFSA or directly with the financial aid office. Work-study programs provide part-time employment to eligible students on and off campus. The maximum amount a student can earn is determined by financial need and available funding. Students can work up to 19 hours per week, depending on financial “need” as determined using the FAFSA data. Cascadia College participates in both federal and state work-study programs. Positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Loans

Cascadia participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Direct loans are low-interest loans for students and parents to help pay for the cost of a student’s education after high school. Loans can be used for educational expenses until a student graduates or stops attending school at least half-time. Loan repayment typically begins six months after completion of the degree or withdrawal from school.

The Direct Loan Programs offers subsidized and unsubsidized loans for students, or the Direct PLUS loan for the parent(s).

  • Subsidized Stafford Loans are need-based. The federal government pays interest on this type of loan while the student is in school (attending at least half-time status).
  • Unsubsidized Stafford Loans do not require a student to show financial need; however, all financial aid funding must not exceed the cost of education. The student, not the federal government, is responsible for paying all interest that accrues on this loan.
  • PLUS loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow funds for the education expenses of each child who is a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time.

Loan recipients must maintain enrollment in six or more credits to maintain eligibility for the Direct Loan(s). Loans are awarded in accordance with federal regulations, such as maximum annual loan limits and restrictions on loan amounts per type of loan. All borrowers at Cascadia are required to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN), online loan entrance counseling and a loan request worksheet. Borrowers must also complete loan exit counseling upon leaving Cascadia College or graduating.

Student Scholarships

Thanks to donations from businesses, individuals, families, professional organizations, and friends of Cascadia College, the Cascadia College Foundation offers numerous scholarship opportunities for Cascadia students. All Cascadia students and prospective students – domestic, international, and undocumented - are encouraged to apply. Minimum requirements include 2.0 GPA and enrollment in ten (10) credits each quarter you enroll.

Awards range from $1,000 to $5,500. Complete one on-line application to be considered for all available scholarships.

Scholarships are now accepted twice per year:

FALL CYCLE SPRING CYCLE
Applications available first week of summer quarter Applications available first week of winter quarter
Application deadline mid-October Application deadline early March
Awards disbursed Winter and Spring quarters of current academic year Awards disbursed Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters of next academic year

For more information on how to receive financial assistance through scholarships, a current listing of available scholarships, and a link to the scholarship application, please visit Cascadia College Foundation Scholarships webpage. Direct any questions to scholarships@cascadia.edu or call 425.352.8840.

Workforce Education

Students enrolled in one of Cascadia’s Professional-Technical programs have access to a variety of support services to help them succeed academically. These services include dedicated staff that can help students navigate their educational experience, from academic advising to internships. Cascadia also has three Workforce grants (BFET, Opportunity Grant and Worker Retraining) that can help eligible students pay for tuition, fees, books, and transportation. A student interested in career training or qualifying for one of these three grant programs should contact the Workforce Education office by calling 425.352.8256 or email workforceinfo@cascadia.edu.

Basic Food Employment and Training Grant (BFET) 

The BFET Grant provides funding for Washington State resident students who are receiving Federal Basic Food Assistance (SNAP/EBT) and enrolled in professional technical programs or who are exclusively College and Career Foundations students. The grant provides assistance with tuition and fees, textbooks and supplies up to $1000 annually, and transportation costs

Opportunity Grant

This grant supports low-income Washington State resident students enrolled in eligible professional technical programs and the pre-nursing degree pathway. The grant provides tuition and fee assistance up to for 45 credits, as well as textbooks and supplies up to $1000 annually, and transportation costs.

Worker Retraining Grant

This grant provides financial assistance to students enrolled in an eligible professional technical program, healthcare program or applied baccalaureate degree.
Students are eligible if one of the following are true: currently receiving or eligible to receive Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits, exhausted UI Benefits within the last 4 years, displaced homemaker, vulnerable worker, formerly self-employed, veteran discharged within the last 4 years. The grant provides tuition and fee assistance for 1 to 2 quarters, textbooks and supplies up to $1000 annually, and transportation costs.

To be eligible, students need to:

  • Be receiving or be eligible to receive unemployment benefits
  • Have exhausted their unemployment benefits within the last four years
  • Be formerly self-employed and currently unemployed due to general economic conditions
  • Be a displaced homemaker
  • Be a vulnerable worker
  • Be a veteran discharged from the US Armed Services in the last four years

Professional/Technical Programs

Students enrolled in the degree programs or certificates below may be eligible for workforce education grant awards.

  • □ = BFET eligible
  • ◊ = Opportunity Grant eligible
  • ∆ = Worker Retraining eligible

Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
    • Mobile Application Development ∆
    • Sustainable Practices ∆
  • Bachelor of Science (BS)
    • Computer Science ∆
  • ​​​​Associate in Computer Science DTA/MRP ◊
  • ​​​​Associate in Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP ◊ ∆
  • Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T)
    • Application Development ∆□◊​​​​​​​
    • Emergency Management ∆□
    • IT Infrastructure Operations ∆□◊
    • Office Supervision & Management ∆ □◊
    • Water Resource Management ∆ □

Certificates (20-25 credits):

  • Android Application Development ∆□◊
  • Cloud Computing Engineer  ∆□◊
  • Computer Programming Foundations ∆□◊
  • Desktop Support Technician ∆□◊
  • Emergency Management ∆□
  • iOS Application Development ∆□◊
  • JavaScript Programming ∆□◊
  • Mobile Backend Development ∆□◊
  • Network Engineer ∆□◊
  • Office Applications ∆□◊
  • Security Support Technician ∆□◊
  • Server Administrator ∆□◊
  • Virtualization Specialist ∆□◊
  • Web Applications ∆□◊
  • Web Foundations ∆□◊

 

Veterans and Dependents Benefits

To apply for Veteran Educational benefits, first submit an application on the VA vets.gov website or via eBenefits.

To access Veteran Educational Benefits at Cascadia, all students must attend an orientation. To schedule an appointment with the Veterans Academic Advisor/School Certifying Official, email veterans@cascadia.edu. Veterans are asked to contact Kodiak Corner at least four weeks before they wish to begin classes. The veteran orientation is an opportunity to submit funding paperwork, to learn more about educational benefit policies and to select classes for the first quarter. Veterans are asked to bring a member 4 copy of their DD-214 and their Certificate of Eligibility to the orientation. Additional paperwork may be required, depending on the student’s Chapter of benefits.

Veterans Educational Benefits may be used to complete an eligible college degree or certificate program. Courses must follow VA guidelines and all courses must meet degree requirements.

The VA requires Cascadia to perform an official review of all prior education. This includes a veteran’s military transcript and transcripts from all schools attended before, during and after active duty. Applicable credits will be transferred to the veteran’s chosen Cascadia degree requirements. Veterans should submit all official transcripts no later than the end of the first quarter of benefits.

Selected programs of study at Cascadia College are approved by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board’s State Approving Agency (WTECB/SAA) for enrollment of those eligible to receive VA benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, USC.

Cascadia College does not and will not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payments based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollment of financial aid to veterans or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admissions activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.

PLEASE NOTE: Students will not be allowed to use any VA education benefits, including Post 9/11 benefits to repeat classes in which they previously received a passing grade, of 2.0 or higher, regardless of whether or not veterans’ benefits were used.

Attendance and Participation While Awaiting VA Tuition and Fee Payments

Section 103, PL 115-407
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), Cascadia College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Chapter 33 or Chapter 31 benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. Cascadia College will not:

  • Prevent the student's enrollment;
  • Assess a late penalty to;
  • Require student secure alternative or additional funding;
  • Deny their access to any resources, access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

  • Produce the Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
  • Produce written request to be certified;
  • Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

Audit, Withdrawal, Non-Required, and Repeat Courses

The law prohibits payment for auditing a course or payment for any course for which a grade assigned is not used in computing requirements for graduation. This includes repeats of grade of “D” or better (unless a higher grade is required); withdrawals; and courses which are not applicable for your declared degree objective. This does not apply to repeats of required courses which you have failed. If you are not sure, please contact the VA Certifying Official before repeating a course.

Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003/ Active Service for Period Exceeding 30 Days

The Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-76 section: 5) is intended to ensure that service members who are receiving Federal student aid are not adversely affected because of their military status and to minimize the administrative burden placed on individuals. According to a 2004 Washington State law, a member of the Washington National Guard or any other military reserve component who is ordered to active federal service for a period exceeding 30 days, has the right to:

  • Withdraw from one or more courses and receive a refund of tuition
    • What to do: Submit Call to Service documentation from military to the Kodiak Corner to withdraw and receive refund.
  • Be given an incomplete and allowed to complete the course upon release from duty
    • What to do: Submit Call to Service documentation from military to the Kodiak Corner. Then contact the instructor to do an Incomplete Contract with the instructor. The instructor gets the form from Student Learning.
  • Continue the course and be given full credit. Any missed class sessions will be excused absences. Upon return to campus, students will be allowed a reasonable period of time to submit missed work. At the discretion of the instructor, there may be cases in which the student has already completed sufficient class work to justify an earned grade. The student called to duty is required to submit written notice of call to service.
    • What to do: Submit Call to Service documentation from military to the Kodiak Corner. Then contact the instructor to make arrangements for course work plan and timeline.

If any questions or concerns arise, contact Veterans Academic Advising at: veterans@cascadia.edu or call 425-352-8860. We will gladly assist the student and/or the instructor in resolving any issues to deployment. For more information, please refer to RCW 28B.10.270 and Senate Bill 5343.

Financial Aid Refund Policy

A fair and equitable refund policy is applied to all financial aid students at Cascadia College. Students who withdraw, drop classes, complete zero credits, or do not attend the class(es) for the period of enrollment for which they have been charged tuition and received financial aid may have to repay a portion of the grants and/or loans they received, as well as any tuition Cascadia returns to financial aid programs as a result of withdrawal. This policy does not apply to work study earnings received. Students who remain enrolled through at least 60% of the payment period are considered to have earned 100% of the aid received and will not owe a repayment of financial aid. If a student completes at least one course they will be subject to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, rather than the Repayment/Return of Funds Policy. Please note that the Financial Aid Repayment/Return of Funds Policy and Cascadia’s tuition refund policy are separate.

Funds are to be returned in the following order:

  1. Unsubsidized Direct Loan
  2. Subsidized Direct Loan
  3. PLUS (Parent loan)
  4. Pell Grant
  5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Students receiving the Washington College Grant (WCG) or College Bound Scholarship (CBS) are subject to the Washington College Grant Repayment Policy, as defined by the Washington Student Achievement Council. Students who receive only a Cascadia College Grant without any other federal or state funding will have the repayment and return of funds calculated according to the calculation described above.

Please contact Student Financial Services for a copy of the entire Repayment/Return of Funds Policy or for more details regarding financial aid refunds. You may also view the policy on the Policy webpage.

Rights

Students have the right to inspect their financial aid files for the accuracy of information contained therein, and to submit corrections, if allowed by federal and state rules and regulations. Confidential information covered under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) may not be reviewed by anyone else without prior written approval of the individual concerned. Requests for file inspection must be done in writing and submitted to the financial aid office. Students should generally allow between 1 and 3 weeks for the request to be processed and an inspection time scheduled.

Responsibilities

The student is responsible for reading the “conditions of award”, and notifying the Student Financial Services Office upon receipt of additional outside income, resources from scholarships and private loans, and for submitting additional documents as required during the year to the Student Financial Services Office. All information submitted to the Student Financial Services Office must be true and complete to the best of the student’s knowledge.