Financial Aid

Gift aid that does not need to be repaid as long as you complete your coursework quarterly, maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, and meet other eligibility requirements.

1. Pell Grant (FAFSA Only)
   • A federal grant program for undergraduate students. The amount of the grant is determined by the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) or Student Aid Index (SAI), and enrollment status.
2.  Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FAFSA Only)
   • A federal grant program for undergraduate students. This grant is awarded to those students with a 0 EFC or -1500 to 0 SAI. At Big Bend, SEOG awards are $400 per quarter for students enrolled in at least 6 credits.
3. Washington College Grant – formerly State Need Grant (FAFSA & WASFA)
   • A state grant program for WA State resident undergraduate students meeting the household income guidelines and enrolled in at least 3 credits.
4. College Bound Scholarships (FAFSA & WASFA)
   • A state grant program for undergraduate students whose family’s income meets certain guidelines.  Students apply for this scholarship in the 7^th and 8^th grade.  They must enroll in college within a year of graduating from a Washington state high school and must be enrolled in at least 3 credits.
5. Washington Bridge Grant (FAFSA & WASFA)
   • A state grant program for resident undergraduate students receiving the maximum Washington College Grant who do not qualify for the College Bound Scholarship.
6. Big Bend Tuition Grant & Waiver Program (FAFSA & WASFA)
   • Institutional funds are granted to eligible students enrolled in at least 6 credits.
     • If you are waitlisted for this funding, it means we are out of funds in this pot of money but you are on the waitlist for if/when funds become available.

“Work Study” is money earned through part-time work (up to 16 hours per week) that revolves around your student schedule (i.e. your classes come first). Students must complete a FAFSA or WASFA to determine if you qualify for Work-Study. Work-Study is a need-based financial aid award that is not deposited into your student account; instead, you will receive paychecks based on the hours you work. It is not a grant (you must work to earn it) and it is not a loan (you don’t have to repay it). All students with need in their cost of attendance are offered work study. You will need to apply and be hired for positions. Once hired, you will be moved out of an “offered” status and receive updated aid offer letters showing the amount you’ve earned each quarter. 

1. Federal Work-Study (FAFSA Only)
   • Federally funded program that provides students on and off-campus employment opportunities. Students will be considered for a variety of jobs, which may offer valuable career-related experience. Earnings are based on the current minimum wage rate in Grant County.
2. Tutors (FAFSA Only)
   • Federal Work Study dollars are available to employ students as reading and math tutors for k-8 within our service district. Earnings are based on the current minimum wage rate in Grant County.
3. State Work-Study (FAFSA & WASFA)
   • State funded program, where in-state students will be placed in on or off campus positions relating to their major field of study and career goals or interests. Earnings are based on the current minimum wage rate in Grant County.
4. Student Employment (FAFSA & WASFA)
   • For students that have not applied for financial aid or do not have need, certain positions on campus are funded by a department’s budget instead of the state and federal work study programs.

1. Direct Loans (FAFSA Only)
   • Loans through the Department of Education (must apply for FAFSA and complete any requirements requested.
     • Subsidized &/or Unsubsidized option
     • Exit Counseling must be completed once you’ve left Big Bend Community College or fall below 6 credits.
2. Plus Loans (FAFSA Only)
   • Loans through the Department of Education for parents on behalf of their student (must apply for FAFSA and complete any requirements requested).
     • Exit Counseling must be completed once your student has left Big Bend Community College or falls below 6 credits.
3. Alternative Loans (FAFSA & WASFA *with a US Citizen co-signer)
   • External loan servicers for students who do not meet requirements for other types of loans or maximums on other loans aren’t enough to cover their Cost of Attendance.

1. BBCC Foundation Scholarships (FAFSA & WASFA)
   • The application process allows current and future students to apply for any and all BBCC scholarships with a single application through our AwardSpring online system. Students can access the application from their computer, tablet, or smartphone. More information about the BBCC Foundation can be found here.
2. Outside Scholarships (FAFSA & WASFA)
   • Organizations and private entities within the community donate money to students on the basis of academic achievement, financial need, commitment to training, or involvement in the community. Scholarship announcements come into the financial aid office throughout the school year. Eligibility criteria, application procedures and deadlines are posted here.

Are you a U.S. citizen/permanent resident/other eligible non-citizen who graduated high school or obtained a GED?

• Apply for financial aid at Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Experiencing issues with your FAFSA? Contact Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243

Are you a WA resident but a non-citizen (DREAMer/DACA) who graduated high school or obtained a GED?

• Apply for financial aid at Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
  • Experiencing issues with your WASFA? Contact the Washington State Achievement Council at wasfa@wsac.wa.gov or 1-888-535-0747 and select option (#2).

Note: Make sure to include Big Bend Community College as a school you send your FAFSA or WASFA to!

5-7 business days after you submit your FAFSA or WASFA, BBCC Financial Aid will notify you via email if any additional information is missing. At that time, you will have access to log in to your ctcLink account to view any additional “to-dos” that need to be completed. Be aware that if your admissions application has not been processed, you may not have access. NOTE: Access to view 2024 – 2025 statuses will not be available until late May, 2024.

Submit all requested financial aid documents to the Financial Aid Office via in-person, email to faidinfo@bigbend.edu or fax to 1-888-820-2896 by the priority funding dates.

Once your file is complete, you will be placed in line for review to determine eligibility for federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid. Files are considered “complete” with successful receipt of a FAFSA or WASFA, application for admissions to BBCC has been processed, and any requested documentation submitted.

• If you are eligible for any grant aid or work study, you will receive a Financial Aid Offer Letter via email. You can also see these awards on your ctcLink account.
• If you have not received an aid offer, continue to monitor your ctcLink account and your email for updates.
• Check your mail for information on how to select your refund preference with BankMobile. BBCC will release funds to you via the preference you select. If no preference is made, the system will default to sending you a check via mail from BankMobile – this can take up to a month to receive funds after the quarter begins. 
• Your financial aid is awarded at full-time each quarter (12 credits or more).
  • If you enroll in less than 12 credits, your awards will be adjusted accordingly to your enrollment.
  • If you know that you will not be full-time, notify the financial aid office once your schedule is set quarterly so that we may adjust your awards accordingly.

Note: Big Bend will communicate any requests for additional information via email. Please keep your email current and check it often.