Dec 01, 2024  
2020-21 Catalog 
    
2020-21 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Support Services



Academic Advising

We offer advising to current and returning Bellevue College students who are earning Associate’s and professional/technical degrees and certificates. We aim to support you and your unique needs by helping you develop plans to achieve your educational, career, and life goals.

Our Academic Advisors can help you with the following services:

  • understand course requirements for the degree and certificate programs,
  • plan your path to program/degree completion,
  • successfully transfer to a four-year college or university,
  • understand the graduation process, 

Please visit bellevuecollege.edu/advising or call (425) 564-2212 to learn more about our advising services.

Academic Success Center

Located in D204, the Academic Success Center (ASC) is committed to providing high-quality tutoring and educational services for all students enrolled at Bellevue College. The ASC offers drop-in tutoring, online tutoring, tutoring appointments, workshops, and textbooks and other resources for lending. The ASC includes specialized labs for math and writing tutoring as well as reading instruction. For additional information, please call (425) 564-2200, email asc@bellevuecollege.edu, or visit bellevuecollege.edu/asc/.

The ASC offers many tutoring options for students:

·         Drop-In Tutoring is available in most BC subjects, with days and times listed on our website

·         Tutoring Appointments are available by request in popular subjects

·         Online Tutoring is available through our website

·         Individual Tutoring is only available for students getting a C or below in their course or eligible DRC students (up to 2 hours per week)

Math Lab provides drop-in tutoring assistance for students who are currently enrolled in a BC math class. A combination of peer and expert tutors are available daily.

Writing Lab provides all students with one-on-one tutoring for any writing project, including class assignments, college applications, resumes, and personal statements. Tutoring sessions last approximately 35 minutes. Although primarily a drop-in lab, appointment times are also available.

Reading Lab (ENGL 080  /ENGL 180 ) is a 1 or 2 credit lab course that supports students who find college reading challenging; the course focuses on vocabulary, reading speed, and comprehension. Many sections are linked to courses offered in the Arts & Humanities Division; however, students may also register independently for credit. A limited number of individual referrals may be available. 

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

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center provides free, confidential, and culturally responsive services. Counselors offer group counseling as well as short-term personal, career, educational, and crisis counseling to registered students. The counselors also work with students on academic probation and provide consultations and referrals to students, faculty, staff, and community members. Counselors also offer workshops and other outreach and prevention opportunities. The counselors are also faculty and teach Human Development (HD) courses, which provide students with academic and life skills. To schedule an appointment, contact us by phone 425-564-5747 or email askacounselor@bellevuecollege.edu. For more information, visit our website at bellevuecollege.edu/counseling/

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/.

 

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. Students interested in attending BC, must complete the FAFSA or WAFSA and the BC Financial Aid Application. Details are available at FAFSA.gov for FAFSA, readysetgrad.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 2020 (e.g., loss of job, death, separation, etc.) ask in Student Central about special conditions.

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

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 Gold certified with many environmentally-friendly features like a rain garden, smart water systems, utility monitoring, permeable paving, and abundant natural lighting. Students living on-campus have the opportunity to live in suites or apartments, 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 likely more engaged in campus activities, meet new people, get more out of the college experience and ultimately 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
  • Workout room
  • Wi-fi access
  • Food services
  • 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 federally funded program that assists 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’ Program

Bellevue College’s Veterans Program is designed to assist military service members and their families with their journey through college, career and beyond. Whether you are active duty, a reserve member, or a veteran, we are here to help you and your family with assistance in pursuing your educational goals, accessing VA benefits, and much more. Visit bellevuecollege.edu/veterans/ for more information. 

Workforce Education

Our programs help people get the skills they need through Bellevue College’s professional-technical programs to enter or re-enter the workforce. Our office offers:

  • High-touch advising and college navigation.
  • “Jumpstart” funding and assistance with applying for additional financial aid.
  • Our advisors coordinate with DSHS and Employment Security to support students with keeping their benefits while in training.
  • Partners with Center for Career Connections to provide employment services all Workforce Education students (resumes, interviews, job search)

Funding Programs for eligible students:

For more information please visit bellevuecollege.edu/we/

Community Partners and Support Resources:

  • Hopelink, Financial Coaching, Energy Assistance and Food assistance (bags of nonperishable food are available at our front desk)
  • Benefits Hub: Financial Counseling, Rent Assistance, Assistance on applying for public benefits, Tax Preparation and Tax Rights, Assistance paying for Groceries, Bus Fares, and more.
  • YWCA: Employment services for BEFT students.