Financial Aid

Update: The 2024-2025 FAFSA and WASFA applications are now available! Visit the Financial Aid Updates page for more information.

Attending CBC spring 2024 and/or summer 2024? Follow the steps below to complete and submit your FAFSA or WASFA application.

Applying for financial aid can help you cover the costs of tuition, books and living expenses during your time at CBC so you can focus on being a successful student.

Follow these steps!

  • 1. Apply for financial aid:

    The FAFSA application: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provides financial aid for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, such as permanent residents. Visit the FAFSA website to create your FSA ID and to complete your application.

    The WASFA application: The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for DACA or undocumented students. Visit the Washington Student Achievement Council website to complete your WASFA application.

    Need help determining which financial aid application to file? Answer a few quick questions to learn more: WASFA Questionnaire.

  • 2. Look for an email from CBC Financial Aid for further instructions:

    You will be able to check the status of your financial aid in your ctcLink Student Center under Financial Aid.

    Financial Aid Navigation: Student Center (Full Site) > Login to ctcLink > Student Homepage > Financial Aid

  • 3. Submit all requested documents in-person at Hawk Central or fax to 509-545-3996:

    Please respond to any requests for additional information and documents found on your to-do list as soon as possible. Incomplete files will cause a delay in reviewing your file.

    Priority Processing Dates:

    Fall Quarter: April 15
    Winter Quarter: October 15
    Spring Quarter: January 15
    Summer Quarter: April 15

    Applications are still processed past these dates in the order we receive them! Complete your application as soon as possible to maximize your eligibility.

    To-Do List Navigation: Student Center (Full Site) > Login to ctcLink > Student Homepage > Tasks (To-do List)

  • 4. Monitor your email and ctcLink Student Center for financial aid award information or additional requirements.

    Financial Aid Navigation: Student Center (Full Site) > Login to ctcLink > Student Homepage > Financial Aid

    To-Do List Navigation: Student Center (Full Site) > Login to ctcLink > Student Homepage > Tasks (To-do List)

  • 5. Check your email for award information and expected aid. Email Financial%20Aid if you will enroll in less than 12 credits so your award can be adjusted.

  • 6. BankMobile Disbursements web page for financial aid disbursements.

What types of financial aid are available?

After completing your FAFSA or WASFA and all other additional requirements listed in your to-do list, your application will be reviewed to determine if you qualify for any of the following types of financial aid:

Grants are a type of financial aid that is awarded to students based on financial need. It is considered “gift aid” which means it does not have to be repaid. CBC awards federal, state and institutional grant funds to eligible students.

Federal Grants

  • Federal Pell Grant: Federal need-based grant program for undergraduate students. It is available for full- and part-time students. For students who qualify, the grant can be used for degree-required classes for a maximum of six years (or 18 quarters) of full-time attendance.
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Students who are Pell recipients with the most financial need may be eligible for this grant.

WA State Grants

  • WA College Grant: Formerly called the WA State Need Grant, this is a need-based grant available for undergraduate students who are also Washington State residents and are enrolled in a minimum of three credits per quarter. For students who qualify, the grant can be used for degree-required classes for a maximum of 15 quarters of full-time attendance.
  • College Bound Scholarship: An early commitment program of Washington State financial aid to eligible students who sign up in middle school, demonstrate financial need and fulfill the scholarship pledge.
  • Passport to College: This program helps with the cost of attending college for students who were foster youth and dependents of the state.

You are required to comply with specific conditions If you are a WA state aid recipient.

Learn more

Institutional Grant

  • CBC Grant: CBC uses a portion of tuition revenue to reinvest in its students through the CBC Grant. This grant can be used to help with the cost of tuition, fees, books and other educational expenses. Eligible students must be Washington State residents, have financial need and be enrolled in a minimum of three degree-required credits each quarter.
 

Work Study provides students with financial need an opportunity to apply for part-time (up to 19 hours per week) on-campus Federal Work Study and off-campus State Work Study jobs. Most of the students who are employed at CBC have Work Study awards. Work Study jobs allow students to work to earn money while attending classes. This kind of student employment may also offer valuable career-related experience. CBC employers/supervisors will accommodate students’ class schedules to provide the flexibility that allows for a focus on education.

To apply for either Federal Work Study (FWS) or State Work Study (SWS) positions, visit our Student Employment webpage.

Student loans are funds that can help students with any college-related expenses that are borrowed and must be repaid after graduation or otherwise leaving the college.

Learn more

Financial Aid FAQs

Most financial aid programs (grants, work study and student loans) require that an applicant/student have “financial need”. Financial need is determined by subtracting the “Expected Family Contribution” (EFC) from the estimated “Cost of Attendance” at the college.

Cost of Attendance (COA): The total estimate of direct and indirect educational expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, room/board and transportation.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC): A number that is calculated by the FAFSA or WASFA, based on information such as household size, total income, etc. It represents an estimation of what a family should be able to reasonably contribute toward the applicant/student’s educational expenses.

Financial Need: The difference between COA and EFC, which represents the amount of college-related expenses that is not covered by the amount a family can reasonably contribute. In other words, it is the amount that financial aid can help with.

Satisfactory Academic Progress: In addition to meeting other financial aid eligibility criteria, you must meet and maintain satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for financial aid funding such as federal, state or institutional aid. The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (see more information about this policy under "What happens if I withdraw from a class?" below) applies to all quarters of enrollment at CBC, regardless of how tuition is paid. Satisfactory academic progress is evaluated for all financial aid recipients at the end of each quarter of enrollment. You are responsible for understanding the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.

 

CBC delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc.

Select your refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements. Visit the BankMobile Disbursements web page for more information.

To view our third-party servicer contract for refund management, click here.

The cost of attendance is an estimated student budget that includes tuition & fees, books and living expenses. These costs can vary depending on enrollment level and lifestyle choices.

Learn more

If your or your family’s (for dependent students) financial situation has changed, you may be eligible to submit a Special Circumstances petition for your aid to be reviewed for possible adjustments. Special circumstances include loss or change of employment, divorce, death in the family, etc.

For more information, contact Hawk Central today.

There are many factors that will determine the outcome of not passing a class(es), depending on your situation:

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for Financial Aid
All students receiving federal, state or institutional financial aid must maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for financial aid funding. Satisfactory academic progress is evaluated for all financial aid recipients at the end of each quarter of enrollment. The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy applies to all quarters of enrollment at CBC, regardless of how tuition is paid, and is based on two standard measures: Qualitative (grade-based) and Quantitative (time-based).

LEARN MORE

Are you considering withdrawing from a class? We recommend you meet with your counselor or completion coach and your instructor first. You should also review the CBC withdrawal policy.

If you are receiving financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing. Withdrawing from a class(es) may result in:

  1. A suspension of your eligibility for future financial aid (see our Satisfactory Academic Progress policy) and
  2. Owing a repayment of financial aid

Learn more

Yes! We’ve teamed up with iGrad to help you manage your money. iGrad offers videos, calculators, articles, recommendations, games and other resources that can help improve your finances. Their suite of interactive tools is designed to provide you with knowledge on a variety of topics including budgeting, financial aid, banking, investing and more.

The programs will assist you in answering questions on paying for college, managing your money and preparing for your future.

Get started

For those who do not have a MyCBC account,  begin by visiting the iGrad website to sign up. Once you log in, you will have access to iGrad’s content, tools and courses.

Yes! We’ve teamed up with Solutions at ECMC to answer all of your student loan repayment questions. Solutions is a service of the non-profit organization ECMC and is dedicated to helping you manage educational loans. Their resources are available to you free of charge. To contact a Solutions Student Loan Repayment Advisor, visit the ECMC webpage for email or web chat, or call them at 877-331-3262.

In April 2022, CBC transitioned to a new and improved mobile-friendly system called ctcLink. You can monitor your financial aid and additional requirements in your ctcLink Student Center.

If you need access to past award information, you can still find that information in the Financial Aid Portal.

Username: Social Security Number
Password: Date of Birth (MMDDYY)

Financial Aid Portal

Financial aid forms

Fast Facts

$22m

Total Financial Aid Awarded Last Year

4,759

Total Students Awarded Financial Aid Last Year

4,600

Average Student Financial Aid Awarded Last Year

$1.5m

Total Scholarships Awarded Last Year

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