Financial Aid

We are committed to the equitable delivery of all available resources in an efficient and effective manner. Our services are designed to meet the needs of a diverse population and to promote education, enhance employability and encourage student success. 

Tacoma Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or age in its program and activities.

Our School Code is 003796.

• Basic Eligibility Requirements
• The Awarding Process
• Types of Aid
• Determining Financial Need
• Providing Parent's Information
• Class Availability
• Summer Quarter
• Contact Information

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for financial aid at TCC you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible non-citizen.
• Be admitted to TCC as a regular student seeking an eligible TCCcollege degree or certificate.
• Have a high school diploma or GED, or demonstrate (through official testing) an ability to benefit.
• Provide a valid Social Security Number.
• Not be in default on a student loan or owe a repayment on a grant.
• Be registered with the Selective Service (if required).
• Be making satisfactory academic progress as defined by the TCC satisfactory academic progress requirements.

If you are advised into Adult Basic Education classes, you will not be eligible to receive financial aid until you have successfully completed that coursework.

Financial Aid is not available for High School Completion, GED, Running Start, Fresh Start or Continuing Education classes.

The Awarding Process

Applications will be reviewed in the order they are completed. If, for example, your application for 2008-09 is complete by the May 9 deadline, we will review it and you will be notified by mail regarding your financial aid eligibility before tuition is due for fall quarter.  If your file is not complete by May 9, you may not be notified regarding your eligibility until after the quarter starts. You should be prepared to pay your fall tuition when it is due, or wait and start winter quarter. Please see our how to apply section for details.

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Types of Aid

To be considered for Work/Study or the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, apply for financial aid as early as possible.  After our priority deadline, some funds are limited and based on availability only.

Grants(Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Washington State Need Grant, TCC Grant and Tuition Waiver) Grants do not have to be paid back, as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress.   If you have a bachelor's or an equivalent degree, you are not eligible for grant aid.

Work Study(Federal and State Work Study) These programs provide an opportunity to earn a portion of your financial aid through part time employment.  Jobs are both on and off campus.

Loans(Federal Stafford Loan Program) TCC participates in the Stafford loan program. These are student loans which must be repaid.  For specific information regarding assessing your debt burden, repayment terms, and loan limits, review the Student Guide, available from our office.
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Determining Financial Need

The amount of assistance students receive is based on the demonstrated "need."

This is the formula:

Cost of Attendance
MINUS
Expected Family Contribution (from Student Aid Report (SAR)) and Outside Resources (veterans benefits, scholarships, etc.)
EQUALS
Financial Need

Financial need is the difference between the cost of education (tuition, books and supplies, room and board, personal and transportation expenses ) and the EFC ( the contribution determined by the information provided on the FAFSA) and outside resources  (Veteran's benefits, scholarships, etc.)

Example of the 2008-2009 Cost of Attendance for three quarters at TCC: 

*Nonresident tuition and fees are higher;class fees are additional (class fees are displayed in class schedule for individual classes). **Assumes student will be sharing housing costs with at least one other person. ***Includes use of public transportation or cost of insurance, preventative maintenance and gas for nine months at 36 miles per day. No allowance is made for car payments.

Financial aid cannot be relied on to cover all the costs of attending college. The amount of aid you may be eligible for may or may not be enough to cover your costs for tuition and books.

Due to limited funds and a large volume of requests, TCC cannot meet all the financial need of students wanting assistance.

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Providing Parents Information

A parent's signature and income information is required when you cannot answer "yes" to at least one of the questions in Step Three on the FAFSA.  If you cannot obtain your parent's information because you are estranged, contact the Financial Aid Office BEFORE you submit your FAFSA.
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Class Availability

An offer of financial aid does not guarantee you will be able to register for the classes you want.
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Summer Quarter

At TCC, Summer is the last quarter of the school year.  To apply for Summer financial aid, you must have a "complete" file in our office(see "how to apply") and submit a separate Summer Aid Request form.  These forms are available at our office in January for the Summer Quarter.
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For More Information Contact:

Financial Aid Services
Tacoma Community College
6501 South 19th Street, Bldg. 18
Phone: 253.566.5080

Click here for Financial Aid staff contact information.

*The U.S. Department of Education can be reached at: 1.800.4FEDAID  (1.800.433.3243)
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