Summer Enrollment off to a Strong Start at BC

Why college is still a smart choice

Summer Quarter enrollment at Bellevue College (BC) is off to a strong start, with a 16 percent increase comparing July 1, 2020 to same date in 2019. While the final numbers won’t be tallied until mid-July, it’s a promising sign that many Washingtonians still see higher education as a smart way to advance their educational and career goals.

“Typically community and technical colleges see an uptick in enrollment during economic uncertainty, but what’s notable is that even with the shift to mostly remote classes, the demand is still high at BC. I think that speaks to the great work of our faculty and staff who shifted so quickly to the new virtual environment, and the strength of our programs,” said Bellevue College Interim President Gary Locke. “Some may be thinking about taking a gap year or deferring education until after the pandemic ends, but that will only put them behind others who are on track to getting the skills needed for careers still in high demand.”

That message is especially important to current high school students who can take advantage of Running Start and earn up to two years of college credit tuition-free. Recent high school grads can save big too by enrolling at BC before transferring to another institution. One year of tuition at BC is a fraction of the cost of many four-year public universities in the region, and BC prepares more students for transfer than any other college in the state.

Higher education can also improve the prospects, and earnings, of those in low-wage industries hit particularly hard by the economic downturn. Before the pandemic, The Washington Roundtable projected that more than 740,000 jobs would open in the state of Washington over the next five years, and most would require post postsecondary education or training. People working in gig or service industries, like leisure and hospitality, have seen the biggest decline in employment comparing this May to the year prior. It might be time to switch tracks.

“Companies are hiring, and sometimes it only takes a professional/technical certificate to become competitive for better paying jobs in business, healthcare and information technology,” said Locke. “Certificates can be earned in a short period of time, so they’re a great option for anyone looking to upskill quickly.”

Registration for Fall Quarter is currently underway, and applications will be accepted through Sept. 11, 2020. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply for FAFSA/WASFA to determine eligibility for scholarships, grants, or loans from schools or state and federal financial aid programs like The Washington College Grant which provides guaranteed funding to eligible Washington state residents.