Bellingham Technical CollegeAlcoa: Get Started Here!

Categories Slide(s)

Why Bellingham Technical College 3Four Steps to Becoming a Student 4 - 10

Paying for College 11-12Worker Retraining 13-14Pathways of Study & Programs 15-28BTC Contact Information 29

Welcome & Overview

• Small Class Size

• Hands On Learning

• Affordable

• Career and Job Ready

• High Employment Rate

• Student Support Services

Our mission is to provide student-centered,

high-quality professional technical education

for today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Why Bellingham Technical College?

October

New Student Registration Opened June 2June

Summer Quarter begins July 8 July

Fall Quarter tuition due August 27 August

Fall Quarter begins September 28 September

Becoming a Student

STEP ONE

Apply to BTC

STEP TWO

Assessment

STEP THREE

Advising & Registration

STEP FOUR

Prepare to Attend

Becoming a Student

STEP ONE

Apply to BTC

STEP TWO

Assessment

STEP THREE

Advising & Registration

STEP FOUR

Prepare to Attend

• View the Admissions Steps on BTC’s website

at www.btc.edu/admissions

• View a printable checklist at

www.btc.edu/admissionsteps

• View Admissions Steps Video tutorials at

www.btc.edu/admissionsvideos

Admissions Steps

Becoming a Student

STEP ONE

Apply to BTC

STEP TWO

Assessment

STEP THREE

Advising & Registration

STEP FOUR

Prepare to Attend

• Apply at www.btc.edu/Applyonline

• You will receive an email with your Student

Identification Number (SID) within three (3)

business days of application.

Step One: Apply

Becoming a Student

STEP ONE

Apply to BTC

STEP TWO

Assessment

STEP THREE

Advising & Registration

STEP FOUR

Prepare to Attend

Degree- or certificate-seeking students need to determine their math and English

starting points, some programs require certain placement scores before starting

program classes. Placement may be determined using one or more of the following:

• Take the ACCUPLACER Placement Assessment: Learn more at

www.btc.edu/Assessment

• Submit High School English and/or math GPAs from within the last five (5)

years for evaluation

• Submit transcripts from other colleges attended for evaluation.*

• Submit test scores (Previous college placement, Advanced Placement (AP), SAT,

ACT, Smarter Balance (SBAC) GED)

*You must have an application to BTC on file for your transcript to be evaluated.

Step Two: Assessing your Starting Point

Becoming a Student

STEP ONE

Apply to BTC

STEP TWO

Assessment

STEP THREE

Advising & Registration

STEP FOUR

Prepare to Attend

ACCUPLACER Placement Assessment

A computer based assessment in three sections: reading, writing and math. Your results place you

in classes that match your skill level, it is not a pass/fail test. View more information at

www.btc.edu/assessment Requirements to take the ACCUPLACER:

• Student ID Number. Receive your Student ID (SID) number from applying to BTC.

• Appointment Needed. Schedule an appointment by emailing assessment@btc.edu

• Photo ID. You will show your photo identification.

• Fee Payment. Pay the $25 fee at https://www.btc-store.com/category/assessment-center-fees

• Time. This is not a timed assessment, but plan to spend about 2-3 hours taking the

assessment.

• Retest Policy. You can take each of the subject area tests twice within 12 months of purchase.

• Study Materials. Find online at www.btc.edu/assessment under the Placement tab

The assessment is being offered remotely while our campus has limited operations.

May be subject to change when our campus reopens to public.

Step Two: Assessing your Starting Point

Becoming a Student

STEP ONE

Apply to BTC

STEP TWO

Assessment

STEP THREE

Advising & Registration

STEP FOUR

Prepare to Attend

• Students must attend a mandatory GET Started

appointment. Students will meet with Advising and Career

Services staff to help you navigate your Goals, create an

Education Plan, and become Tech Ready, and to register for

classes.

• Schedule your appointment by contacting the Admissions &

Student Resource Center at 360.752.8345 or by signing up at

www.btc.edu/registrationsessions

• These appointments typically last one (1) hour and Step 2

must be completed before making the appointment.

Step Three: Advising & Registration

Becoming a Student

STEP ONE

Apply to BTC

STEP TWO

Assessment

STEP THREE

Advising & Registration

STEP FOUR

Prepare to Attend

• New Student Orientation is for new students to connect with

staff and students. This is usually held the day before the

quarter begins. Register for the New Student Orientation at

www.btc.edu/Orientation

• Pay tuition and fees. To view current tuition and fee rates, and

due dates, please visit www.btc.edu/tuition

• Get your Student ID Card in the Campus Center building or at

New Student Orientation

• Buy textbooks for your first quarter, visit the Campus Store in

the Campus Center building or go to

www.btc.edu/campusstore

Step Four: Prepare to Attend

Grants

• Grant money is typically based on you and your family’s financial

situation. They DON’T have to be repaid, as long as you meet the

requirements

Scholarships

• Scholarship money is typically awarded based on your

accomplishments. It DOES NOT have to be repaid, as long as you

meet the requirements

Work-study

• Work-study programs offer career-related work experience on

campus, allowing you to earn money while working throughout the

school year

Student Loans

• Student loans MUST be repaid and accrue interest. Various loans are

available. Before applying for a loan, understand the terms and

conditions to select the best loan option for you. Only borrow what

you need and consider how repayment will affect your future

finances.

• Free Application for Federal

Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Washington Application for

State Financial Aid (WAFSA)

Paying for College

Federal

Student

Loans

Work-

Study

Scholarships

Grants

FAFSA or WAFSA Applications FirstApply

Complete all necessary Financial Aid

formsFollow Up

Financial Aid Portal lists awards,

requirementsDouble Check

Complete a Petition for Special

Circumstance 2020-2021 Petition once your initial award is processed

Petition for Special

Circumstance

Zoom, email, phoneASK!

Receiving Financial Aid

Apply

Follow Up

Double Check

Additional Steps

Contact

Kori Olsenalcoa@btc.edu | (360) 752-8492

Worker RetrainingProvides bridge funding and support to laid off workers who want to upgrade their skills to start a new career path. Typically covers a single quarter of tuition, books and tools.

Funding is dependent upon your financial aid status and is limited to a single quarter.

Eligibility:

▪ Separation or layoff from employer through no fault of your own

▪ Spouses who were dependent upon your income may also be eligible

Alcoa impacted workers will be eligible based on notice of separation from employer. Please contact the Worker Retraining Coordinator for further details.

Grants

• Grant money is typically based on you and your family’s

financial situation. Provides bridge funding to get you

started – first quarter tuition and books.

Scholarships

• Students must report school status to Employment Security

Department. May receive job search waiver and additional

benefits while attending. Contact Coordinator before

opening unemployment claim.

Work-study

•The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program is a federal program that provides aid to workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports. Petition is currently pending.

Student Loans

• WorkSource provides additional funding to students

eligible for Workforce Investment Opportunity Act. BTC will

get you connected to additional funding and community

supports.

Contact

Kori Olsenalcoa@btc.edu | (360) 752-8492

Worker Retraining

Workforce

Supports

Trade Act

Unemployment

Benefits

Worker

Retraining

Pathways to College & Career

Certificate Associate of Applied Science – AAS

Associate of Applied Science Transfer – AAS-T

Major Related ProgramDTA/MRP

Applied Baccalaureate Degrees – BAS

Transitional Studies 3 months – 9 months 2 Years 2 Years Associates + 2 Years

• English Language (ESL) –Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced

• GED Prep – Prep courses• Adult Basic Education

Essentials – Math, writing and reading classes

• HS+ - High school completion for 18+, for competency-based high school diploma

• Impact! – Ages 16-21 youth reengagement

Contact: ts@btc.edu

• Certificates provide you with a set of skills to find a job or stay current in your profession.

• Some examples are CAD/drafting, web design and Nursing Assistant

• Many certificates are designed to build on top of each other and eventually lead to a longer-term certificate or degree. These are called "stackable" certificates.

• The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a two-year degree for students who want to start a career immediately after graduation.

• Includes a minimal amount of general education courses

• AAS-T Degree – general education classes are transferable. Some degrees have articulation agreements with Universities

• Some transfer degrees help prepare students for a particular major, like business or nursing. These are called "Major-Related Programs" and are sometimes abbreviated DTA/MRP.

• If you earn this type of two-year degree, you can transfer as a junior only if the community or technical college has an agreement with the university.

• Students can take two more years of upper-level coursework at the community or technical college to earn a four-year degree.

• With more and more employers requiring bachelor's degrees, this option gives people another path to a four-year degree.

Pathways of Study

• Advanced Manufacturing

• Business & Information

• Culinary Arts

• Engineering

• Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences

• Health Occupations

• Industrial Trades

• Transportation

• Bachelor of Applied Sciences

Pathways of StudyExplore all BTC degrees and certificates at www.btc.edu/programs

The different degrees and certificates

that are available

Pathways of StudyExplore all BTC degrees and certificates at www.btc.edu/programs

Check the entry tab for the program start

date and program entry requirements

Advanced Manufacturing

• Refinery/Process Operator

• Instrumentation Technician

• Machinist

• Robotics Technician

Process Technology

Instrumentation & Control

Machining

Industrial Maintenance & Mechatronics

• Accounting

• Administrative Assistant

• Business Management

• Computer Networking

• Computer Software Support

• Medical Coding & Billing Generalist

• Project Management

• Social Media Marketing

• And many more!

Business & Information

• Culinary Arts

• Pastry Arts

Culinary Arts

Engineering• Civil Engineering Technician/Drafter

• Engineering Technician/Solar Installer

• Composite Assembler/Fabrication/Repair

• Surveyor

• Draftsman/Inspector/Designer

Civil Engineering

Clean Energy

Composites Engineering

Geomatics

Mechanical Design

“Every day is an

adventure as we get to

wade creeks collecting

aquatic insects, fish,

and other aquatic

organisms. One minute

of the day you could

be snorkeling a creek

counting fish, and the

next you could be

loading fish onto a

truck to be planted in a

local river or lake.”

- Timothy Danner, BTC

Fisheries & Aquaculture

Sciences 2018 Graduate

Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences

Nursing

• Associate in Nursing (DTA/MRP)

• Nursing (LPN-RN)

• Associate in Pre-Nursing (Transfer)

• Nursing Assistant

• Dental Hygiene

• Dental Assisting

• Expanded Functions

Dental Auxiliary

Dental

Health Occupations

Health Occupations• Cosmetology

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

• Phlebotomy

• Radiologic Technology

• Surgery Technology

• Veterinary Technician “The program here is absolutely

phenomenal. The class sizes are small.

You get the attention you need. You get

the assistance you need… I love the way

they do the didactic training and

clinicals simultaneously so we’re doing

the book-learning and the hands-on

learning.”

- Amanda Pennell, Radiologic Technology

Graduate

• Electrician

• HVAC & Refrigeration

• Welding

Industrial Trades

• Automotive Body Collision & Repair

• Automotive Technology

• Diesel Technology

Transportation

• Operations Management

• Engineering Technology

Bachelor of Applied Science

Questions?

alcoa@btc.edu

360.752.8492

www.btc.edu

Contact a BTC

Specialist:

BTC Virtual Lobby

10 am – 2 pm, M-F | Visit us during lobby hours to ask questions in real-timeDepartments include: Admissions & Advising, Registration, Student Financial Resources