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Apply to Highline College
Complete the online admissions application. Visit our How to Apply page for step-by-step instructions.
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Explore Funding & Payment Options
College costs include tuition, fees, transportation, parking, books, and supplies. Highline College provides many funding sources to students, including scholarships and grants that don't require repayment. The initial step is to apply for financial aid.
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Activate Student Accounts
Activate your ctclink, email, and Canvas accounts. The ctcLink Student Homepage is the all-access account that will remain with you throughout your time at Highline College. Visit our Student Accounts for more info and instructions.
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Meet with Entry Advisor
Your Entry Advisor is here to support you in this process. Students will complete a ‘Get Started! Questionnaire‘ in their admissions letter and schedule a meeting with an Entry Advisor. If you do not receive the questionnaire, connect with Entry Advising.
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Complete New Student Orientation
Getting familiar with college and Highline’s campus resources is important to your success. Student orientation is encouraged for all students, but it is required before enrolling if this is your first time attending college.
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Meet with Academic Pathway Advisor
Advisors will help you to explore your educational goals and select your academic pathway.
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Enroll in Classes
Enroll in classes once new student class enrollment has begun. It’s easy to enroll using ctcLink. View the tutorial on how to enroll in classes using ctcLink.
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Pay Tuition & Fees
Pay for your classes by the quarterly payment deadline. Pay tuition and fees in ctcLink, or visit the Cashier's Office for info about payment options. Follow up with your funding sources to confirm eligibility or sign up for a payment plan. Learn about the residency information to see if you need to submit a residency review request for tuition purposes.
Apply for Admission
Ready to get started?
Use this guide to keep track of your progress in completing the admission steps.
If at any point you need help, contact Entry Advising for one-on-one help, every step of the way.
How to Apply to Highline
Admission Steps and Admission Form Instructions
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Create or Log into Your Account
Highline uses a statewide Community and Technical College admissions application. Visit the Online Admission Application and click 'Create an Account' to get started. Create your username and password, which you will use to log into the application.
If you have a ctcLink account, please use your ctcLink ID number and password to log into the application. This includes ctcLink numbers from previous Washington Community and Technical College.
International (F1 Visa) students seeking an I-20 should apply for admission through International Student Programs with the International Students Application.
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Start Application
Log into the Online Admission Application using the username and password you just created or your ctcLink account. Select Highline College from the drop-down menu.
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Select Student Type
- First Year – For students who are attending college for the first time.
- Reapplying – For students who have attended Highline College previously but have not enrolled in classes in the last year.
- Running Start – For high school students applying for the Running Start program.
- Transfer – For students who attended college before and are transferring in college credits.
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Select Your Program of Study
Select your Program of Study. If you are unsure, pick the one that fits best for now. You can change it later. Academic Program options:
- Academic – For students who are seeking an associate degree.
- Baccalaureate – For students who are seeking a Bachelor’s degree that is offered at Highline College.
- Non-Award Seeking – For students who don’t intend to get a degree or certificate.
- Professional Technical – For students who plan to get a degree or certificate in a professional/technical field such as nursing, accounting, and business administration.
- Transitional Studies – For students completing coursework at the pre-college level, such as High School Diploma or GED.
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Select When You WIll Start
Select the term (which quarter) you would like to start.
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Select Your Degree or Certificate
Select from the drop-down menu the degree or certificate you are seeking.
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Click Apply
By clicking 'Apply' you will advance to the remaining steps where you will enter your 'Personal Information.'
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Enter Personal Information
Complete each of the six sections under Personal Information. Your social security number is not required, but we encourage you to submit it to speed up processing. The six sections are:
- Citizenship:
- Select ‘USA’ for ‘Country.’
- If you are a Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder), first select “United States” for your Country and then “Permanent Resident” for Citizenship Status.
- If you are unsure which status to select, please see Citizen Status for Admission Application below. You can learn more about how residency affects your tuition rate.
- Select ‘USA’ for ‘Country.’
- High School Information (If High School is not in the system, Click on the checkbox next to “Add School/College” and manually enter the School Name, Country, State, and City.
- Ethnicity Details
- Washington Residency Questions
- Supplemental Questions
- Review and Submit
- Citizenship:
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Last Step
Review your application to make sure the information is correct. Once you are satisfied that your answers are correct, click 'Yes, I accept,' then click 'Submit Now.'
Congratulations! You've completed the Online Admissions Application.
After processing your application, we will send a welcome letter to the email address you provided.
- Once your application has been processed, we will send your welcome email is sent to the email address used on the application.
If you do not receive the welcome email:
- We recommend logging back into your application account and checking the ‘Application Summary.‘
- Verify the Institution is ‘Highline College’ and the Application Status is ‘Submitted.’
- If the Application Status says ‘Submitted’ and it has been more than 4 business days, contact admissions@highline.edu to inquire about your application processing, please include your full name, date of birth, and application number.
- We recommend checking your spam/junk folders if you do not see the email from Admissions in your main inbox.
No matter what your status in the US is, you are welcome to attend Highline. Your citizenship and residency status will affect your tuition rate. Learn more about how residency affects your tuition rate.
- Select ‘USA’ for ‘Country.’
- Citizenship Status options:
- Alien Permanent – A person with approved refugee, asylee, or parolee status.
- Alien Temporary – A person with a temporary stay for business, tourism, or study. (Examples: B1, B2, C1, C3, D, F1, F2, J1, J2, M1, M2, Q1, R, R2, T visas)
- Employment Visa – A person permitted to work for a specific U.S. employer. (Examples: H1, H2, H3, H4 visas)
- Naturalized – A person who became a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process.
- Permanent Resident – A person with a Green Card or approved for permanent residency.
- U.S. Citizen – A person born in the U.S. or who has a naturalization certificate.
Admission Dates and Deadlines
Winter 2025 Quarter
Quarter Starts January 6, 2025. Admission application is open until January 17 for
Winter 2025.
Spring 2025 Quarter
Quarter Starts March 31, 2025. Admission application is open until April 11 for Winter 2025.
Quarter Starts June 23, 2025. Admission application is open until July 4 for Summer 2025
View all Important Dates and Deadlines
If you need to enroll for the quarter after the application has closed, apply for the next available quarter. Then email Admissions and request to update your quarter start.
Student Types
The type of student you are will help to identify the admissions process and academic path that is right for you.
New Student
If you have never attended Highline College, your first step is to complete our online application. Once your application has been processed, we will send your welcome letter by email. See the Contact Entry Advising for a to-do list to get started.
Returning Student
Been away for four or more quarters? You will need to re-apply for admission. Contact Entry Advising for one-on-one help.
Transfer Student
If you are transferring to Highline from another college, complete the admission steps and submit your transcripts for prerequisite and transfer credit evaluation. Learn more about transferring credits.
International Student
Complete the International Student Application to get started at Highline.
English Language Learner or Pre-College Student
Improve your reading, writing, math and technology skills. Learn English as a second language. Students taking GED preparation courses or those Adult Basic Education courses visit the ELCAP website.
High School Completion
Complete your high school diploma. If you are a current high school student or if your high school education was interrupted, check out your High School completion options.
Running Start Student
Earn high school and college credit while taking college courses. Learn more about Running Start.
Military & Veteran Student
Connect with experts who will help you access your military education benefits. Visit the Veterans Services website for assistance.
Selective Enrollment
Certain programs have additional admission requirements. Students enrolling in the Bachelor of Applied Science programs, Registered Nursing AAS and Running Start have additional steps after submitting the general admissions application. Students must meet the application deadlines and entrance requirements prescribed by the program students and students should visit Selective Admissions for more details.
Residency Information: Tuition Rates
Resident Tuition Rate
As a state public college, Highline College has different tuition rates for state residents and non-residents. State law sets the rules governing who qualifies as a resident for tuition-paying purposes. Students must meet these requirements to be verified as residents for tuition purposes.
Questions? Contact Us.
Admissions
admissions@highline.edu
(206) 592-3181
Upper lobby of Building 6
Admissions Office Hours
Day |
Hours |
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Monday |
8 – 5 p.m. |
Tuesday |
8 – 6 p.m. |
Wednesday |
8 – 5 p.m. |
Thursday |
8 – 5 p.m. |
Friday |
8 – 2 p.m. |
Holiday Closures
Stay up to date on our holiday hours.