Eligibility & Residency
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General Eligibility
We admit:
- Any applicant who has graduated from high school, or is 16 or 17 years old with a proof of a GED completion, or is 18 years of age or older.
- Currently enrolled high school students who successfully assess into college-level English. However, these students are admitted quarter-by-quarter and are not considered “continuing students” unless they have been admitted through the Running Start Program.
- Selected applicants who meet the qualifications for selective-admissions programs. Some selective-admissions programs have enrollment limits and cannot accept all qualified applicants. See more information on selective admissions programs.
- If you are still in high school, you may be eligible for one of BC's High School Programs.
Exceptions
Some exceptions for entrance to the college are made on a case-by-case basis if you do not meet eligibility criteria. If you would like to inquire about eligibility submit your question to the Student Service Center. Anyone is eligible to register for a non-credit class through BC Continuing Education and is not required to apply for admissions. Explore non-credit Continuing Education offerings.
Residency
To be considered a Washington state resident, you are required to have established residency at least twelve 12 months prior to the beginning of the quarter for which you are applying.
See Washington State Residency for Tuition Purposes for more information.
Distance Education Waiver
NON-RESIDENT students enrolled in only online classes may be eligible for a tuition reduction. For more information, call Enrollment Services at (425) 564-2222 or e-mail enrollment@bellevuecollege.edu and ask about the “Distance Education Waiver”.
Residency Tuition Declaration for Non-U.S. Citizens - Effective July 1, 2003
Effective July 1, 2003, Washington state law changed the definition of “resident student.” The law makes certain students eligible for resident student status – and eligible to pay resident tuition rates – when they attend public colleges and universities in this state. The law does not make these students eligible to receive need-based state or federal financial aid. To qualify for resident status, students must complete this affidavit/declaration/certification if they have met the following conditions:
- Received a diploma from a Washington high school after completing the full senior year and lived in Washington State for three years immediately prior to receiving the diploma or lived in Washington State for three years immediately prior to receiving the equivalent of a high school diploma;
- Continuously resided in the State since earning the high school diploma or its equivalent, and
- Submit the required Washington Higher Education Residency Affidavit promising to file for permanent resident status at the earliest opportunity and indicating a willingness to engage in other activities necessary to acquire citizenship (applies to non-US citizens).
If you are eligible, please print and complete the following form with your signature. The original should be submitted to the BC Admissions Office.
Please do not fax or e-mail the form as these cannot be accepted.
- Washington Higher Education Residency Affidavit Declaration Certification [Adobe PDF]
- Washington Higher Education Residency Affidavit Declaration Certification [Word document]
Mail to:
Bellevue College
Admissions Office
ATTN: Enrollment Services
3000 Landerholm Circle, SE
Bellevue, WA 98007-6484
