Oct 13, 2024  
2024-25 Catalog 
    
2024-25 Catalog

Student Support Services



Academic Advising

The Academic Advising department is made up of three integrated areas: New Student Programs, BC Pathways Advising, and Retention Programs: 

1.      New Student Programs oversees New Student Orientation, New Student Advising to plan the first two quarters at BC, and more; 

2.      BC Pathways Advising provides academic advising to support your academic and career goals. This is done by working with you to understand course requirements for degree and certificate programs, creating educational plans toward degree or certificate completion, explaining the graduation process, and supporting successful transfer to a four-year college or university;  

3.      Retention Programs provide individualized outreach and support to students experiencing academic difficulty or distress, academic success coaching, and students who left before completing a program so they may return and continue their studies.   

We offer academic advising to newly admitted, current, and returning Bellevue College students who are earning an associate degree or professional/technical degree or certificate. Students interested in meeting with an academic advisor may do so by scheduling an appointment or by attending drop-in advising in person or over the phone. Please visit bellevuecollege.edu/advising or call (425) 564-2212 to learn more.  

Academic Advisors meet with newly admitted, current and returning students. If you are interested in meeting with an Academic Advisor you may do so by scheduling an appointment or by attending drop-in advising in person or over the phone. Please visit bellevuecollege.edu/advising  or call (425) 564-2212 to learn more.  

If you have been admitted to a Bachelor of Applied Sciences or Bachelor of Applied Arts program, please go to Bachelor’s Degrees: Programs (bellevuecollege.edu) to identify your program manager for your specific program. 

Academic Success Center

The mission of the Academic Success Center (ASC) is to help students succeed academically and empower them to become independent life-long learners. Located in D204, the ASC provides free, high-quality in-person and online tutoring and learning services for all students enrolled at Bellevue College. The ASC offers drop-in tutoring, one-on-one appointment tutoring, e-tutoring, academic support workshops, and class materials for lending, as well as specialized tutoring labs for math, and writing as well as reading instruction.  For additional information, please call (425) 564-2200, email asc@bellevuecollege.edu, or visit bellevuecollege.edu/asc/.

Academic Success Center Links:

Math Lab: drop-in tutoring for students currently enrolled in a BC math class.

Writing Lab: in-person and online tutoring sessions for all BC students with any writing project, including class assignments, college applications, resumes, and personal statements.

Reading Lab reading support and tutoring for all BC students who want to improve their vocabulary and reading skills. Students may also register for a 1 or 2-credit lab course focused on vocabulary, reading speed, and comprehension. 

Workshops: held throughout the quarter on topics related to study skills, reading, writing, and speaking. All students are welcome!

Counseling Center

The counselors at the Counseling Center are trained mental health professionals who teach Human Development (HD) classes and provide counseling services to support students in a range of areas (e.g., stress, anxiety, depression, lack of motivation, difficulty finding balance, etc.). Counseling services are offered in-person and remotely to enrolled students and are available in a variety of languages. The counselors also assist faculty and staff by providing consultations regarding students of concern.

The Bellevue College Counseling Center offers many free services:

For students:

  • Personal Counseling (e.g., anxiety, stress, depression, relationship concerns, etc.)
  • Career Counseling (e.g., exploring values, strengths, interests, personality, and family and cultural background to determine an academic major and/or career path)
  • Educational Counseling (e.g., motivation, study skills, test anxiety, etc.)
  • Group Counseling (e.g., LGBTQIA Support Group, Mindfulness Group, etc.)
  • Referrals to community services and resources
  • Support for students who are having trouble with grades 
  • Drop-in crisis counseling for students who are going through a difficult time or are at immediate risk of harming themselves or others
  • Human Development classes, including stress management, career exploration, motivation, assertive communication and other life and academic skills

For staff/faculty:

  • Consultations about student mental health
  • Workshops and class presentations

To schedule an appointment, call the Center by phone at 425-564-5747 or email counseling@bellevuecollege.edu. For more information, visit our website at bellevuecollege.edu/counseling/ or see us in person in U 201.

 

Disability Resource Center

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is dedicated to service excellence in the provision of comprehensive classroom accommodations, working with students, instructors, staff, administration and community contacts to ensure the successful academic goals of qualified and documented Bellevue College students with disabilities.

The DRC works in innovative ways to provide teaching and learning opportunities to college staff, faculty members and community partners to remove barriers to access and help further the understanding, support and success of the students we serve. We contribute to the disability justice movement, centered in a social justice model of disability, and work to incorporate concepts of universal design into all aspects of the Bellevue College environment.

The DRC helps students develop the critical skills necessary to achieve success, promoting self-advocacy, and seeks to better integrate people with disabilities–through structural, curricular, and attitudinal changes — into the overall pluralistic fabric of the college and community.

Visit the DRC at B132, call (425) 564-2498, TTY 425.564.6189, Skype for ASL users ‘DRCatBC’ or check out our website at bellevuecollege.edu/drc/.

 

eLearning Department

The eLearning department provides instructor-led, self-paced, and in-person Canvas workshops for students. Student Canvas Training is provided in 3 ways:

  • Student Canvas Online Workshop  - This is an instructor-led, in-depth, self-paced Canvas training, offered at the beginning of each quarter. This is great for new students and students who want to practice as they learn. Online registration is required.
  • Student Canvas 60-minute Training, Online and In-Person - Quickly discover Canvas navigation and tips during this presentational session with Q&A at the end. This is great for returning students or for students who missed the Student Canvas Online Workshop. Offered the first five days of the quarter with options online and in-person. No need to register.
  • Student Canvas P2P Live Online - Offered online, during the quarter. Gain helpful tips and ask your Canvas-related questions as they come up. 

All eLearning Student Canvas Training sessions are free and not for credit.

Email: studentcanvastraining@bellevuecollege.edu Twitter:@CanvasStudent

 

Early Learning Center

The BC Early Learning Center, located on campus, serves student families with children ages six weeks to six years old. The Early Learning Center offers affordable, high quality, family-centered early education childcare program. Student families who are income eligible may apply for enrollment in Head Start, an enhancement program for children three to five years old. For enrollment availability, tuition costs, and program information, please call (425) 564-2240.

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 Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WAFSA). For more information regarding eligibility requirements visit bellevuecollege.edu/fa/eligibility.  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 bellevuecollege.edu/fa/.

If you have completed the FAFSA or WAFSA and your family’s circumstances have changed dramatically in 2022 (e.g., loss of job, death, marital separation, etc.) ask Student Central about special conditions or review the 2022-23 Special Condition forms available at www.bellevuecollege.edu/fa/forms/

See Workforce Education for additional funding sources for which you may qualify.

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 WAFSA to calculate financial 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.

Notification of Aid Offer

When offered aid, students receive an Aid Offer Notification via BC e-mail which directs students to review the type and amount of aid offered for each quarter on the ctcLink student homepage. Students only need to notify the Financial Aid Office if they are not attending BC and are rejecting their aid or canceling a portion of their aid package. For types of aid available, please visit bellevuecollege.edu/fa/apply/types

Students’ Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students applying 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 Guidelines at bellevuecollege.edu/fa/youraid/sap/

Repayment

Repayment is when you have to pay back some or all of your financial aid.  If you receive a financial aid grant and/or loans, you must attend more than 60% of the quarter to earn all (100%) of your aid. If you stop attending or do not receive passing grades, we are required to determine how much financial aid you “earned” and return any “unearned” funds.  You are then required to pay us back.

If you have attended less than 60% of the quarter, you may owe a repayment to financial aid. This may include federal and state grants and your tuition costs.  If BC returns funds to federal or state agencies, these funds will come out of the money that was used to pay for your tuition. This means that you will need to repay BC the balance of tuition. Please visit bellevuecollege.edu/fa/youraid/repayment/ for more information on the census dates, refunds and repayments.

Application Procedure

We process financial aid files based on the date you turned in the last required document. Your file is not considered complete and ready to process for a financial aid offer until you submit all required documents. If you complete your file, and during processing, you are asked to submit additional documentation, you do not lose your original file completion date as long as you turn in the documentation within two weeks.

Make sure you complete your file by the deadline of the quarter you plan to start taking classes. If you miss the deadline, plan to pay for your tuition, fees and books using your own funds. You may be reimbursed if you are later found to be eligible for aid. Visit bellevuecollege.edu/fa/apply/deadlines for 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 WAFSA to calculate financial 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.

Notification of Aid Offer

When offered aid, students receive an Aid Offer Notification via BC e-mail which directs students to review the type and amount of aid offered for each quarter on the Financial Aid portal. Students only need to notify the Financial Aid Office if they are not attending BC and are rejecting their aid or canceling a portion of their aid package. For types of aid available, please visit bellevuecollege.edu/fa/apply/types

Students’ Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students applying 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 Guidelines at bellevuecollege.edu/fa/youraid/sap/

Repayment

Repayment is when you have to pay back some or all of your financial aid.  If you receive a financial aid grant and/or loans, you must attend more than 60% of the quarter to earn all (100%) of your aid. If you stop attending or do not receive passing grades, we are required to determine how much financial aid you “earned” and return any “unearned” funds.  You are then required to pay us back.

If you have attended less than 60% of the quarter, you may owe a repayment to financial aid. This may include federal and state grants and your tuition costs.  If BC returns funds to federal or state agencies, these funds will come out of the money that was used to pay for your tuition. This means that you will need to repay BC the balance of tuition. Please visit bellevuecollege.edu/fa/youraid/repayment/ for more information on the census dates, refunds and repayments.

Multicultural Services

The office of Multicultural Services (MCS) provides a variety of academic success and support services to BC students of color or those from marginalized populations. Our programs are OPEN to all students, LGBTQI, low-income, first-generation students, veterans, undocumented students, and students with disabilities. Our services are provided with a multicultural and equity-based lens. MCS program goals are to increase student success and student retention through culturally responsive programming and services. Additionally, MCS is a partner in promoting cultural competency and building an inclusive and vibrant campus community. We adhere to the values of equity and inclusion and support the Achieving the Dream and Academic Pathways initiatives. 

Support services include supplemental academic coaching and advising, assistance with identifying and applying for college funding: WAFSA, FAFSA, and Scholarships. We provide student advocacy, tutoring in math and science, professional mentoring, study sessions, cultural clubs/affinity group advising, community building activities and events, referrals to campus and community services, and opportunities for participation in conferences and leadership development. All of our activities are free of charge and support student success and student retention.  For more information visit our website at:

https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/mcs/

Or call us at (425) 564-2208    Email us at mcs@bellevuecollege.edu

 

Student Housing

Live and learn on campus! The Bellevue College Residence Hall is home to up to 400 students in a mix of units and includes a variety of public areas for studying, meeting, and socializing. The building is LEED Platinum certified with many environmentally friendly features including a rain garden, smart water systems, utility monitoring, permeable paving, and abundant natural lighting. Students living on campus have the opportunity to live in suite or apartment-style units with private or shared bedrooms, all of which have in-unit bathrooms and kitchens.

Living on-campus offers a complete environment to serve students’ academic, personal, and social needs. Students who live on campus are more engaged in campus activities, meet new people, get more out of the college experience, and on average earn higher grades.

Amenities include:

  • 24/7 staffing, including Front Desk operations, mail service, information and equipment rental
  • Community spaces on each floor
  • Laundry facility
  • Provided access to the on-campus Fitness Center
  • Wi-Fi access
  • The Bulldog Bistro, located on the first floor of Housing
  • Free cultural, academic, and community programs and events
  • Student volunteer and job opportunities

Please visit bellevuecollege.edu/housing/ to learn more and apply today!

Student Programs

By enriching student life through leadership opportunities, personal learning, and cultural experiences, Student Programs is committed to building a pluralistic and diverse campus community that fosters creativity, innovation, and student success. We empower our students to contribute to our community as better world citizens. Stop by C212 in the Student Union Building, call (425) 564-6150, or visit our webpage for more info 

The Student Programs Office coordinates the many Student Life and Co-Curricular Programs including:

  • Over 100 student organizations and programs Associated Student Government (ASG) and Office of Student Legislative Affairs
  • Leadership Institute
  • Student Volunteer Center
  • Campus Business Center
  • Campus Activities Board (CAB)
  • Affinity Groups: Black Student Union, El Centro Latino, LBGTQ Resource Center. Asian Pacific Island Student Association, Arabic Culture Student Association, International Student Association and the BC Association of Veterans
  • The Watchdog (student newspaper)
  • Student Programs Signature Campus Events
  • Student Handbook
  • Services and Activities Fee Budget Management
  • Student Environmental and Sustainability Programs

TRIO Student Support Services

TRIO is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Education to assist Bellevue College students in achieving their educational goals. TRIO provides extensive academic advising services, financial guidance, and personal support for students who are first-generation college students, low-income students, or students who have a documented disability. TRIO services include academic advising, comprehensive transfer planning and preparation, university visitations, financial aid guidance and scholarship application assistance, personal support and advocacy, free tutoring, instruction in effective study skills, a computer lab and study center, laptop computer lending, academic monitoring and intervention, academic achievement awards, workshops, and cultural activities. All services are designed to ensure student success at BC and beyond. Specific eligibility requirements apply. For more information call (425) 564-5745 or visit www.bellevuecollege.edu/trio

 

Veterans Resource Center

 

Bellevue College’s Veterans Resource Center is a one-stop shop for student veterans and all military-affiliated students to access their VA educational benefits and community resources. Whether you are on active duty, a reserve member, a veteran, or a family member we are here to assist all students to realize their academic, personal, and professional goals. We advocate for all military-affiliated students and foster a sense of camaraderie and provide a space for which to strengthen ties with the community. Through student engagement and support, we ensure that Bellevue College is a military-friendly and veteran-ready institution. Please visit bellevuecollege.edu/veterans/ for more information.

Services Include:

  • Computer Workstations
  • VA Benefit Support
  • Military Tuition Assistance
  • Lounge Space
  • Free Color Printing
  • Bellevue College Chapter of Student Veterans of America
  • Military Transition Support
  • Community-based Veteran’s Benefit Referral
  • Peer Support and Mentorship

Workforce Education

Workforce Education programs help people get the skills they need through Bellevue College’s professional-technical programs to enter or re-enter the workforce. Located in the Bellevue College Student Success Center, Room U-212

Funding Programs:

BFET (Basic Food Employment & Training) – for people receiving federal food assistance from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Services may include:

  • Tuition assistance, course-related fees, and required textbooks when pursuing approved programs of study.
  • Educational advising and planning, including developing an education plan that lists the courses required each quarter to obtain the training goal. 
  • High-touch advising to address barriers to academic/personal success.
  • Employment assistance.
  • Assistance in navigating college resources and services.
  • Verification of school schedule for students receiving the Working Connections Child Care subsidy.
  • Referrals to community partners.

Opportunity Grant – for WA state residents with limited income and limited college credits

Services may include:

  • Tuition assistance up to 45 credits, course-related fees, and required textbooks when pursuing approved professional-technical training.
  • Educational advising and planning, including the development of an education plan.
  • Advising to address barriers to academic/personal success.
  • Employment assistance.
  • Assistance in navigating college resources and services.
  • Referrals to community partners.

Worker Retraining – for individuals who are on unemployment insurance (UI) or have exhausted UI; veterans discharged in the past 48 months; active duty military with separation orders; or displaced homemakers due to divorce or death of a spouse in the past 48 months. 

Services may include:

  • Tuition and course-related fee assistance.
  • Employment Security navigation, gaining permission to attend school while collecting unemployment benefits. 
  • Educational advising and planning.
  • Assistance in locating additional funding for training.
  • Priority enrollment.
  • Liaison to Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), WIOA, and other agencies.

WorkFirst – offers access to training, support resource referrals, tuition, and book assistance to TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients attending Bellevue College and referred by DSHS. 

Services may include:

  • Tuition, course-related fees, required textbooks, and support services.  
  • Educational advising and planning, develop an education plan that lists the courses required each quarter to obtain the training goal.
  • High-touch advising to address barriers to academic/personal success.
  • Assistance navigating college resources and services.
  • Employment assistance.
  • Referrals to community partners.

Additional Services:

  • Financial Aid application assistance.
  • Free one-on-one financial coaching.
  • Workforce staff coordinate with DSHS and Employment Security to support students with keeping their benefits while in training.
  • Workforce Education Homework Lab in U211 – open Mon-Fri 8:00 am-5:00 pm
  • Employment services: Unemployment navigation, job search, cover letter, and resume assistance 
  • Connection to Community Partners, such as Hopelink, YWCA, United Way, and Goodwill for additional emergency support.