Services to Support Student Learning and Student Success

Admissions

Students may begin their education at Cascadia Community College in summer, fall, winter or spring quarters. All adult members of the community 18 years or older, or those with a high school diploma or GED, are welcome to enroll in credit courses at Cascadia Community College, as are high school students participating in special programs such as Running Start. High school students, 16 years or older, who are not Running Start students, if they qualify, may take one class per quarter with written approval of a parent/guardian, a high school official, and with the approval of the college. In some instances, and under special circumstances, these students may enroll in additional classes once they have shown they can benefit from instruction, pursuant to their individualized educational plan, and with the approval of the Vice President for Student Success or his/her designee. For questions concerning all admissions and/or for a complete text of Cascadia's admission policy, contact Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library, 425.352.8860 or admissions@cascadia.edu . Cascadia's application for admission is available on line or at Enrollment Services.

Advising

Academic Advisors are available during the initial  processes and throughout a student's career at Cascadia to assist with course placement, transcript evaluation, course selection and registration.  Academic Advisors, and full-time faculty help students with short-term and/or long-term educational planning to complete degrees and the transfer process at Student Advising & Support Services, 2nd floor south end of Library, 425.352.8383, email questions to advising@cascadia.edu .

Assessment

Student Advising & Support Services provides testing services for appropriate placement into courses and/or programs. Students take COMPASS, a computerized test, to measure current skill levels in reading, writing and math. Current, official scores from other schools may be accepted for course placement purposes. Students whose first language is not English are assessed with a specialized assessment instrument. Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library, 425.352.8860.

Career Services

Career planning and placement services are available to students in the process of selecting and planning their careers. There are job and internship postings located in Student Advising & Support Services, 2nd floor south end of library 425-352-8383

Catalog

The college catalog includes information necessary for all Cascadia students. Pick up a copy in Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library, in Cascadia's hallways, or access the information online. The catalog provides a description of every course offered at Cascadia, program descriptions, academic policies and more.

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Disability Support Services

Cascadia provides services to help students with disabilities successfully adapt to college life. Students who meet specific criteria may also qualify for  accommodations. For more information, or a referral, please contact Student Advising & Support Services, 2nd floor south end of Library, 425.352.8383.  Additional information is also available on the Cascadia website.

Employment at Cascadia & UW Bothell

Financial Services for Students

Cascadia Community College offers financial assistance to eligible students in the form of grants, work-study, loans and scholarships. Generally, a student must take 6 or more credits for most types of financial aid. Twelve credits or more are required to be considered full-time. Students must complete the 2004-2005 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Cascadia Data Sheet as soon as possible. Cascadia's school code is 034835. Contact Student Financial Services, CC1-221, 425.352.8861, or by email at finaid@cascadia.edu for more details.  Also click on How to Apply for Financial Aid on the Cascadia Community College website.

Grades

Information about Cascadia's grading system and other academic policies are described in the college catalog on line. Copies of the catalog are also available in Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library, or in Cascadia's hallways.

Graduation

Students nearing completion of a degree or certification program need to apply for graduation two quarters before they expect to graduate. Application forms for graduation are available in Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library or on line. The location and ceremony information are available on Cascadia's website.

Mentors - Peer Resource Officer (PRO) Mentor Program

A group of Cascadia students serve as Peer Resource Officers who mentor and support new incoming Cascadia students.  The PROs will "check in" with the new students throughout the quarter and offer ways for the new students to get involved with campus life.  They will help the new students be successful and overcome any barriers that may interfere with their academics.  The PROs will attend the new Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) sessions to provide information about the PRO Mentor Program and their contact information.  For additional information about the PRO Mentor Program contact Admissions & Retention 2nd floor in the Library Annex  425.352.8534.

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Orientation

Cascadia offers Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) sessions for new and returning students. Students receive information about the college and its programs, learn about support services, meet the Academic Advisors, and receive individual advising assistance prior to registration. For information, contact Admissions & Retention 425-352-8534 or visit Enrollment Services on the 2nd floor south end of the Library to set up an appointment.

Personal Student Information

Students should report any changes in their personal, important student information such as name, address, phone, emergency contact information, etc. to Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library, 425.352.8860 or online as soon as they occur. This helps to ensure that the college has the correct information when sending mailings or otherwise contacting the student.

Refunds and Withdrawals

Students should consult the quarterly Schedule of Classes and the college Catalog for current refund and withdrawal policies and dates.

Registration

Students who are new to Cascadia must register in person. Appointment dates for registration are assigned to new students after they complete a few simple pre-registration steps. After initial registration, continuing students may register for subsequent quarters either in person or via the Web. Continuing students receive registration information by mail each quarter. Note: In order to receive timely registration information, students should inform Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library of any change of address or update their information via the Web.  Students who may qualify for accommodations should contact Disability Support Services as soon as possible in Student Advising & Support Services, 2nd floor south end of Library or by phone at 425.352.8383.  Registration information is available at Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library, 425.352.8860.

Schedule of Classes

The quarterly schedule of classes includes information necessary for all Cascadia students. Pick up a copy in Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library. The schedule of classes provides a list of each class that will be offered for a particular quarter and important registration or other important dates. The schedule of classes is also available on the Web.

Scholarships

Scholarships have been made available by donations from business and professional organizations, as well as private citizens in the community. Scholarships are awarded on a variety of bases. Scholarship announcements and applications are available on the Cascadia website and in the Student Financial Services Office, CC1-221, 425.352.8861 throughout the school year.

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Study Abroad

Cascadia Community College, by membership with the Washington State Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA), offers quarterly study abroad options.  Students earn credit when studying abroad in places such as London, Florence, Paris and Costa Rica.  Classes are taught by faculty from colleges in the consortium, from the host country, and fulfill state requirements.  Students interact with other cultures, gain a global perspective and enhance their learning and development.  Some study abroad programs allow students to become more fluent in a foreign language.  Contact 425.352.8415 Library Annex Room 204F or visit Cascadia's website for more information.

Transcript Evaluation

Students seeking credit for course work completed at other institutions are required to submit official transcripts from those institutions and file a Transcript Evaluation Request form available on line and through Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library  Academic Advisors may conduct informal evaluations of unofficial transcripts to assist with initial advising and course selection for incoming students. Official transcript evaluation will take several weeks.  Students will receive a copy of the completed evaluation in the mail. Contact Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library, 425.352.8860.

Transcript Requests

Students who wish to have official copies of their Cascadia transcript should fill out a request form at Enrollment Services, 2nd floor south end of Library. Please allow two working days to process the request. Official transcripts are $3.20 per copy and may be requested using the Official Transcript Request form or by ordering online through the National Student Clearinghouse. Students may print unofficial copies of their transcripts through Cascadia's Web site.

Transfer Services

Academic Advisors are available to students planning to transfer to four-year institutions. Advisors help students understand and plan for Cascadia's graduation requirements, university admissions requirements, and the requirements of various majors. Admissions representatives from various universities visit Cascadia regularly, and Cascadia hosts university transfer fairs fall, winter and spring quarters. For information contact Student Advising & Support Services, 2nd floor south end of Library, 425.352.8383.

Veterans' Services

All veterans must observe the standards for attendance and satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for benefits. Students who plan to use veteran's benefits should contact the Student Financial Services Office, CC1-221, 425.352.8861.  There is also information on the Cascadia website.

Withdrawals and Refunds

Students should consult the quarterly Schedule of Classes and the college Catalog for current refund and withdrawal policies and dates.

Worker Retraining Program

If people are laid off and currently receiving Unemployment Benefits, have received Unemployment Benefits within the past two years, were formerly self-employed, or are a displaced homemaker, they may be eligible for Cascadia's Worker Retraining Program. The Worker Retraining program can assist with tuition and book costs for eligible students in professional/technical training programs. Cascadia also has additional funds to help those with exhausted Unemployment Benefits and can assist  in obtaining additional educational funding. If students are eligible for Federal (Workforce or TAA/NAFTA) benefits, Cascadia can help process their applications and paperwork. Cascadia can also assist with the process of obtaining Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) and Training Benefits. Please call 425.352.8138 or stop by the WorkForce Resources Center, Library Annex, 1st floor for more information and to make an appointment to apply for the program.  Application form

WorkFirst Program

The WorkFirst program can provide assistance to qualified low-income parents and current TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) recipients enrolled in professional/technical programs. Program staff can also provide referrals to the Working Connections Child Care program through the Department of Social and Health Services, which can pay for childcare while working and in classes. Please call 425.352.8138 or stop by the WorkForce Resources Center in the Library Annex, 1st floor, for more information and to make an appointment to apply for the program.

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