WINTER 2013
Quarterly Preview 2 Take Time; Step Up Tips and tools to help get off to a flying start at TCC
5 Paying for College 7 GED Changes Coming www.tacomacc.edu
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QUARTERLY PREVIEW Tacoma Community College www.tacomacc.edu Winter 2013
Take time; step up These tips and tools will help get you off to a flying start at TCC Whether you know the date you’re going to attend your first class or are just thinking about starting college at Tacoma Community College, the best time to prepare for success is now. Deadlines come sooner and registration starts earlier than many people realize. These three things can help you get a head start: yy Sign up for InsideTCC Go to www.tacomacc.edu/insidetccsignup and fill out the form online. You’ll get a custom website that addresses your interests, and we’ll send you information that will prepare you to get started successfully. yy Start the financial aid process You can apply for financial aid at any time for any quarter, but your money may not be ready for you when classes start unless you meet the priority deadline. For winter 2013, the priority deadline was Oct. 4. For spring 2013, it’s Jan. 31, 2013. Get started now – go to www.tacomacc.edu/applyforaid. yy Be ready when it’s time to register Knowing when you can register for classes is the key to being ready. Winter quarter registration for new students starts Nov. 15, but you want to have attended a New Student Orientation beforehand to get the best shot at class availability. Spring quarter new student registration starts on Feb. 28, while for summer and fall quarters, the date is May 30. Make sure you sign up for the earliest New Student Orientation possible, since classes are first come first serve. Sign up online at www.tacomacc.edu/getoriented. For a complete look at the enrollment process see page 6 or visit www.tacomacc.edu/theenrollmentprocess. If you have questions, consider attending an Admission Info Session (www.tacomacc.edu/admissioninfosession) for help with the steps. Contact Outreach at 253.566.6042 or outreachservices@tacomacc.edu.
The credit class schedule is available online at www.tacomacc.edu/classschedule
What are YOU reaching for? Your first college experience? Solid grounding for a 4-year university? Training for a new career? Upgraded skills for a competitive edge? TCC has the programs you need and exceptional staff and facilities • 50+ areas of transfer study with 40+ career training degrees and certificates • Small class sizes at two main locations TCC has a diverse culture and active student body. • Athletics, student government, special interest clubs and community involvement • 200 international students attend TCC each quarter • Study abroad around the world TCC has the latest technology to keep you on top of your education • Student email, portal and online classes • Wireless internet, Web Cafe and laptop and media checkout • Information technology building on the Tacoma campus Apply now! TCC is ready when you are. • Classes start every September, January, April and June. Apply online or in person. • Money matters. Get your college start at TCC for an affordable alternative to tuition at a 4-year institution. • Worried about costs? Nearly 50 percent of our students benefit from financial aid. TCC’s Financial Aid team can help you find scholarships, loans and work study.
Tacoma Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or age in its programs and activities.
Tacoma Community College Volume 48, No. 2 Winter 2013
USPS 7574
Published quarterly by Tacoma Community College, 6501 South 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98466. PERIODICAL postage paid at Tacoma, WA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tacoma Community College, Marketing, Communication & Outreach, 6501 S. 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98466.
Winter 2013 www.tacomacc.edu Tacoma Community College QUARTERLY PREVIEW
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Where do YOU want to learn? Tacoma campus 6501 South 19 th St., Tacoma 253.566.5000 Located in the middle of everything, TCC’s west Tacoma campus has been completely redeveloped in the last 10 years and includes technologically advanced learning and study space for nearly 9,000 students per quarter.
Gig Harbor campus
What’s YOUR goal? Start a bachelor’s degree
www.tacomacc.edu/ collegetransfer Start, re-start, or rev up your career
www.tacomacc.edu/ careertraining
Sharpen your job skills or enhance your life
www.tacomacc.edu/ continuingeducation Get the basics
www.tacomacc.edu/ basicskills Train employees at your business
www.invistaperforms.org
3993 Hunt St., Gig Harbor 253.460.2424 The Gig Harbor campus extends TCC’s programs and services to the residents of the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula areas. We offer transfer, continuing education, and basic skills education, all close to home for Peninsula residents.
Online www.tacomacc.edu/elearning TCC offers a broad array of online and hybrid online (online combined with limited classroom sessions) to allow for convenient, quality education.
Any of the above You can mix and match locations, or take a combination of online and classroom classes – whatever works best for you! For more information on getting started at TCC, call TCC Outreach at 253.566.6042.
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QUARTERLY PREVIEW Tacoma Community College www.tacomacc.edu Winter 2013
I want to
lift others – Laura N. 2013 sessions
Tacoma
TCC Campus, Bldg. 7 friday
Feb. 8
8:30 am-1 pm wednesday
Feb. 27 3-7 pm MORE INFO AT
www.tacomacc.edu/ways2pay4college
is your PORTAL. Go online and sign up today.
Can you help? Your support of the TCC Foundation starts a chain reaction that moves our community higher. Scan the QR code or call 253.566.5003 or visit www.tacomacc.edu/makeagift
Fill out a survey that asks you to check off the academic, career and activities that interest you most. You’ll also receive tips on financial aid, scholarships, the best ways to be prepared to enroll, as well as inside information on events and programs that fall within your interest areas.
www.tacomacc.edu/insidetccsignup
Winter 2013 www.tacomacc.edu Tacoma Community College QUARTERLY PREVIEW
Paying for college apply for financial aid Financial aid is a PROCESS – not a step – of deadlines and paperwork. Stay on track. If you want a chance at the FREE government money and lowinterest rate loans, you must do the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Here’s what TCC needs from you to begin the process: yy Apply to TCC. yy Complete FAFSA and list TCC. yy Complete TCC Financial Aid Data Sheet.
before you start ... THINK DEADLINES! What quarter do you want to start? Find out your
complete your FAFSA yy COMPLETE the TCC Financial Aid Data Sheet online at www.tacomacc.edu/financialaidforms yy LOOK for your Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail/email. It will arrive within two weeks of completing the FAFSA. Read it carefully and be sure the info is correct. If you do not receive your SAR, call the Dept. of Education at 1.800.4.FEDAID to check your status. yy RESPOND quickly to any requests for more information. Your chance to get the best money possible depends on how promptly you meet requests.
quarter’s financial aid file completion deadline at
tips: DON’T WAIT to register for classes until you
www.tacomacc.edu/applyforaid
hear whether you received financial aid. SIGN UP for
LATE? If you miss a deadline you may still get aid, but plan for it arriving after the quarter starts.
your New Student Orientation (step 6 on page 6) as soon as you can. CONTROL YOUR FUTURE by NOT waiting for the Financial Aid office to contact you
submit your FAFSA
about missing information. Check your Financial
The FAFSA application opens Jan. 1 every year.
apply for scholarships
A complete financial aid application submitted as soon as possible will maximize the types of financial aid you’ll be eligible for. You do not need finalized tax information to submit your FAFSA, and you don’t want to wait either! yy SAVE time! Create a PIN (4-digit number) for yourself so you can electronically sign your FAFSA. Visit www.pin.ed.gov yy GO to www.fafsa.ed.gov The FAFSA is a free form. Do not pay if any site tries to charge you! yy CHECK the status of your financial aid application at your financial aid portal: https://www.fas.ctc.edu/portal4/?col=220
Aid portal instead!
plan ahead ... THINK DEADLINES! yy APPLY for TCC Foundation scholarships at www.tacomacc.edu/scholarships yy RESEARCH external scholarships that fit your profile at www.tacomacc.edu/ externalscholarships yy CREATE a profile at www.theWashBoard.org a free web-based scholarships clearinghouse for Washington students.
tip: Scholarship application season is usually January-March for the following academic year.
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QUARTERLY PREVIEW Tacoma Community College www.tacomacc.edu Winter 2013
Step up!get into college Apply/Reapply
What quarter do you want to start?
Apply online or in person (Bldg. 7).
Starting?
Apply by ...
Submit Financial Aid Application by ...
There is no application fee.
Spring 2013
February 2013
early February 2013
Summer 2013
April 2013
early April 2013
Fall 2013
April/May 2013
early May 2013
www.tacomacc.edu/theenrollmentprocess
Get connected with MY TCC Activate your newly assigned
TCC student email. my.tacomacc.edu
Questions?
Get answers! ww.tacomacc.edu/admissioninfosession
Explore your interests on Inside TCC Connect to all the info you need to become a student at TCC – takes 5 minutes tops! www.tacomacc.edu/insidetccsignup
Paying for college
FERPA
Start early and do it simultaneously with steps 1-7.
FERPA is a federal law that protects students’
www.tacomacc.edu/costsandaid
Need help with any of these steps
?
TCC Adminission Attend this
Info Sessions
Assess your skills To get into classes, an evaluation of your skills is needed. Do it by testing or transcript review. www.tacomacc.edu/assessyourskills
Get oriented New students must attend a NSO (New Student Orientation) to get classes.
www.tacomacc.edu/getoriented
Pay your tuition Missing the due date can mean missing out on the classes you wanted ... www.tacomacc.edu/tuition
Classes?
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
ww.tacomacc.edu/ classschedule
Bldg. 7, Room 29 (Language Ctr.) Day
Date
Time
Mon
10/29 11/7 11/14 11/26 12/5 12/19
5-6:30 p.m.
Wed Wed Mon Wed Wed
3:45-5 p.m. 3:45-5 p.m. 5-6:30 p.m. 3:45-5 p.m. 3:45-5 p.m.
Call 253.566.6042 or sign up online at www.tacomacc.edu/ admissioninfosession
yy right to inspect and review education records yy right to seek the amendment of education records yy right to consent to the disclosure of education records, and yy right to obtain a copy of the school’s FERPA policy. A complete copy of TCC’s written policies and guidelines governing the review, inspection, release, confidentiality and maintenance of a student’s education records is available upon request at either Enrollment Services or the Student Services Administration office.
Visitor Parking Most TCC parking lots have designated visitor parking spaces. If there are no visitor parking spaces available, you may obtain a temporary parking permit at the Enrollment Services counter in Bldg. 7.
Directions?drivingdirections ww.tacomacc.edu/
Winter 2013 www.tacomacc.edu Tacoma Community College QUARTERLY PREVIEW
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2012-2013 Tuition & Fees
GED changes coming – nationally and at TCC Do you know someone who is working on GED completion? 2013 is the year to finish! The current GED test expires at the end of 2013, and students who have not completed all 5 sections will have to start over with the new test in 2014. Here’s a look at the changes coming: Nationally: • The cost to take the test rose from $75 to $150 ($15 to $30 for each test section) Oct. 1, 2012. • The 2014 test will be offered only on computers and only in official testing centers -including TCC’s Certification and Testing Center. At TCC: • TCC’s Certification and Testing Center has moved! GED pencil-and-paper testing begins in the new Bldg. 6 location Oct. 15, 2012. • Computer-based testing begins in the TCC Certification and Testing Center in Jan. 2013. • TCC’s Gig Harbor Campus will continue to offer the paperand-pencil version of the GED through Dec. 2013. Questions? Call TCC’s Assessment office at 253.566.5158 or visit www.finishtheGED.com
Tuition and fees are subject to change by the Washington State Legislature. Some courses may have additional lab or material fees.
Total
Non- Non- Resident Resident Refugee & Internat’l (on waiver) (non-res)
1 109.59
281.59 122.59 133.66
2 219.18
563.18 245.18 267.32
3 328.77
844.77 367.77 400.98
Credit Hours
WA State Resident
4 438.36 1,126.36 490.36 534.64 5 547.95 1,407.95 612.95 668.30 6 657.54 1,689.54 735.54 801.96 7 767.13 1,971.13 858.13 935.62 8
876.72
2,252.72
9
980.72 1,069.28
986.31
2,534.31 1,103.31 1,202.94
10 1,095.90
2,815.90 1,225.90 1,336.60
11 1,148.89
2,873.90 1,279.58 1,401.30
12 1,201.88
2,931.90 1,333.26 1,466.00
13 1,254.87
2,989.90 1,386.94 1,530.70
14 1,307.86
3,047.90 1,440.62 1,595.40
15 1,360.85
3,105.90 1,494.30 1,660.10
Non-Resident (on waiver): Student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. For complete details, call 253.566.5001. Student-approved fees included in tuition: yyBldg. 11 improvements: $1.50 per credit to 10 credits, maximum rate $15. yyEarly Childhood Education and Child Care Building: $1.25 per credit to 10 credits, maximum rate $12.50 Student-approved fees added at time of registration: yyFacility Fee: $ .50 per credit to 15 credits, maximum rate $7.50 yyTechnology Fee: $1.75 per credit to 10 credits, maximum rate $17.50 yySafety Fee: $15 per student yyCourse Fees: as displayed in online class schedule for individual classes If you are active duty military or a spouse or dependent of an active duty military person stationed in Washington State, you can receive a lower tuition rate by submitting a copy of your military ID card and the military orders stationing you in Washington. Bring them to Enrollment Services, Bldg. 7 or send by FAX to 253.566.5108.
?
Did you know
The tuition paid by students who are state residents covers only 38 percent of the cost of the education they receive. The balance is covered by Washington taxpayers through state funding. Non-resident students pay the full cost of their education. This information is provided by the Higher Education Coordinating Board as required by RCW 28B.10.044. Exact figures are available from the HEC Board.
Periodicals Postage PAID Tacoma, WA 6501 S. 19th Street I Tacoma, WA 98466 www.tacomacc.edu
QPWIN2013
Reach your degree (toll free) Want to earn your associate degree in Gig Harbor - and never cross the Narrows? Now you can. Call and find out how: 253.460.2354
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