Tuition

Tuition & Fees

For academic purposes and certification for various benefits (insurance, student loans and financial aid, social security, tax credits, etc.), full-time status is defined as 12 or more credits. Special fees and other class fees are listed in this catalog and the at www.skagit.edu/tuitionfees.

Go to www.skagit.edu for the current tuition schedule and course fee schedule, or call:

• 360.416.7600 (Mount Vernon)
• 360.341.2324 (South Whidbey)
• 360.679.5330 (Whidbey Island)
• 360.378.3220 (San Juan)

Lower Division Tuition Table

Courses below 300-level; does not apply to ABE, ESL, or HSC courses

Upper Division Tuition Table

300- and 400-level courses

State Support of Higher Education Students

The average total cost to educate each Washington state resident full-time community and technical college student for the 2016-2017 academic year is $7,524. Students pay an average of $3,056 for tuition. The remaining $4,468 is paid by state taxes and other funds from the state of Washington’s Opportunity Pathway. The costs shown are approximate. The actual tuition a student pays each quarter varies due to credit load, residency status, and other factors.

Pursuant to RCW 28B.15.0681 the sources of all institutional revenue received during the prior academic year and the uses of tuition revenue collected during the prior academic year is published at the following link: http://www.sbctc.edu/resources/documents/colleges-staff/programs-services/tuition-fees/hb-1795-disclosure.pdf

Net Price Calculator

SVC has provided a tool for you to determine the cost of your education including the impact of any financial aid award you will be receiving. You will also be advised of the difference between grants, loans, and work study awards. While all efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the calculator, every student’s situation is different so students are advised to do their own calculations as well. The calculator can be found on the college website at www.skagit.edu/netpricecalculator.

Determination of Residence

Determining Residency

Residency status is determined at the time your application for admission or class registration is processed. The presumption is that before domicile is established, an individual must do everything a resident of Washington is required to do as stated below:

1. Students must prove conclusively that they have not come to Washington State primarily for educational purposes. (Students who are taking 6 credits per quarter.)
2. Students must live in the state for at least 12 consecutive months as legal residents. A legal resident is an individual who has relinquished all valid legal ties (e.g., driver’s license, voter registration, vehicle registration, etc.) with their former state of residence and established such ties in Washington.
3. Establish legal ties:
   • Permanent employment of 30+ hours will be a factor (if taking more than 6 credits a quarter during the first year of being present in Washington State).
   • Driver’s license/state ID. Students must obtain a Washington State Driver’s License within 30 days of arrival if they have a current out-ofstate driver’s license. A Washington State Identification Card must be obtained if student has no driver’s license.
   • All motor vehicles, RV, boat, trailer registrations. All registrations must be registered in Washington. Students who own or drive a vehicle in Washington must be registered in Washington within 30 days of arrival.
   • Voter registration. Students who have a current out-of-state voter’s registration must register to vote in Washington within 30 days of arrival. If an individual has previously registered to vote in another state, they must register to vote in Washington. If the student does not register to vote in Washington, this means that s/he may still vote absentee in the prior state of residency
   • Establish a bank account in Washington.
   • Be financially independent for the current and prior calendar years. (Students who are not 25 years of age or older must submit their parents’ most recent tax returns).

Once domicile is established, the student may be eligible for in-state tuition 12 months from the date of arrival if all legal ties were in place within 30 days. This is because the Washington statute says that domicile must be in existence for one year immediately prior to the first day of the quarter for which the student wants to be classified as a resident.

The determination for residency can be complicated and other factors may help students establish proof of domicile. After filling out the residency questionnaire, a residency officer will review it and may request additional documentation.

Proof of Residency

No single factor or specific combination of factors provide a guarantee that a student will be eligible for residency status. A student can begin to establish and document residency in the state of Washington by completing the following:

• Obtain a Washington State driver license or identification card.
• Register all motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, boat, and trailers in the state of Washington.
• Register to vote in the state of Washington.
• Provide copies of your rent receipts (or lease agreements or home purchase papers).
• Open (or transfer) your checking/savings account to a bank branch in Washington State.
• Keep receipts from Immigration and Naturalization Service that show the date your application for Permanent Resident Status was filed (if applicable).

After you have established domicile in the state of Washington for the required period, it is your responsibility to request a change in residency status. Applications for a change in classification will be accepted up to the thirtieth calendar day following the first day of the quarter for which application is made.

For more information, call 360.416.7620 or 360.675.6656.

Residency for Military Personnel

If you are active duty military, stationed in the state of Washington, you, your spouse and dependents qualify as residents for tuition purposes. At the time you, your spouse or dependent family members apply for admission, you must provide documentation such as a copy of your military ID card or other appropriate documents.

Student Eligibility to Pay In-State Tuition

RCW 28B.15.012(e) (commonly referred to as HB 1079).which took effect July 1, 2003 allows people who are not documented as citizens to attend college paying in-state tuition. Eligibility: People who have resided in Washington State for the three years immediately prior to receiving a high school diploma and completed the full senior year at a Washington high school or who have completed the equivalent of a high school diploma and resided in Washington State for the three years immediately before receiving the equivalent of the diploma and who have continuously resided in the state since earning the high school diploma or its equivalent.

Quarterly Fees

Subject to change by the Washington State legislature and/or the Skagit Valley College Board of Trustees. Go to www.skagit.edu for the most current information on the fees listed below.

Fees

Special Student Fees

Class Fees (per quarter)

Lockers

Parking Fines

Tests

Course Materials & Supplies

Mount Vernon: 360.416.7728
Whidbey Island: 360.679.5313

The Cardinal Bookstore is located on the Mount Vernon and Whidbey Island campuses. Course materials for San Juan Center and South Whidbey Center courses are available through either location.

The bookstore stocks a wide variety of items, including required and optional course textbooks and materials - both new and used - as well as course supplies, uniforms, Skagit Valley College insignia items and school supplies.

At the end of each quarter, the bookstore offers a textbook buy-back service.

The bookstore web site www.cardinalbookstore.com can be used to purchase textbooks as well as to look up textbook information and pricing. In addition, the bookstore’s online textbook rental program is available through a link on the website. These services can also be accessed through the online registration process.

Both bookstore locations remain open in the evenings on selected days during the first week of the quarter.

Penalties

Tuition and fees are the student’s responsibility. Failure to attend a class does not constitute a course drop. Students who do not officially withdraw will be assessed full tuition and fees, and refunds will not be made.Requests for late drops will not be granted simply because the student was unaware of the policies, or failed to submit a drop form.

In the event of non-payment, the college may pursue the collection of amounts due as allowed by law, and will add collection costs to the amount due. In the event of a disagreement about payments due, you may request an informal hearing with the Vice Presdient of Student Services.

Refund Policy

The following rules address refunds of student tuition and fees:

• A full refund is given for any course cancelled by the college. It is the student’s responsibility to officially notify Enrollment Services of drop status within the refund period.
• Refunds for withdrawal from classes will be made as follows:
• 100% refund if a student officially withdraws through the fifth officially scheduled instructional day of the quarter.
• 50% refund if a student officially withdraws after the fifth instructional day of the quarter and before the eleventh instructional day of the quarter.
• For course sections starting prior to the first officially scheduled day of the quarter or after the fifth officially scheduled day of instruction for the quarter, refunds will be calculated for each course section consistent with the above schedule, but using the first day of class in place of the first officially scheduled day of the quarter as used above.
• The first official day of class for E-Learning is the first day of the quarter.
• Per RCW 28B.15.605, no refunds will be given beyond the 20th calendar day of the quarter except as stated in RCW 28B.15.605.

Community Education, Computer Training Institute

A student will receive a 100% refund if the college cancels the class or if the student officially withdraws 48 hours prior to the first class meeting. No refund will be given thereafter. Material fees will not be refunded. Exceptions must be approved by the Community Education Office.

For more information, contact the Community Education Office at 360.416.7638.