Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us for more information.
We have several different resources to help students and community members, including the Transition Success Center, Workforce Education Services, RISE, and the Puget Sound Welcome Back Center.
We also have on-site community partners who provide Job search assistance, tutoring, unemployment support, and more.
The Admissions Department is available to assist new students to enroll at Highline College and current students during their time at Highline. We assist students with questions about:
- College admission
- State residency for tuition purposes
- Selective admission programs such as Nursing AAS admissions
- How to update student records
The first step is to Apply to Highline! Visit our Application webpage and we will show you how to apply.
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. Sign up for orientation.
During Orientation You Will Explore Degree Pathway Options
- Select a Degree Pathway: There are many educational opportunities at Highline, including certificates, and 2-year and 4-year degrees. Before you begin taking classes, it will be important to select a Degree Pathway that fits your personal academic or career goals.
- Explore career options: Career and degree exploration assistance is available through the Career and Student Employment (CASE) and Counseling Center.
Your myHighline account provides access to online resources and tools, such as student email, Canvas, and Google. The ITS Department will send you an email with instructions on how to activate your account.
You can recover your ID/password online, by visiting Building 30, or by calling IT at 206-592-4357.
To find your ID/password online, visit: https://myinfo.highline.edu/MyInfo/MyWhat.php
Some classes require prerequisites or instructor permission before you can enroll. These Permission Numbers were formerly referred to as Entry Codes. Please note a Permission Number may be used only once.
You may need a Permission Number for a class if:
- Highline has no record that you have the required placement test scores
- Highline has no record that you have taken the required prerequisite class, or
- The class requires the Instructor’s Permission
Some classes require prerequisites or instructor permission before you can enroll. These Permission Numbers were formerly referred to as Entry Codes. Please note a Permission Number may be used only once.
You may need a Permission Number for a class if:
- Highline has no record that you have the required placement test scores
- Highline has no record that you have taken the required prerequisite class, or
- The class requires the Instructor’s Permission
Permission Numbers are only available when web registration is open. Students may request permission numbers at the Permission Number Request site by logging in with their myHighline username and password.
If you missed your ctcLink ID during account activation, email Highline’s ITS Help Desk. They will help you retrieve it.
Once students have activated their myHighline login they can access their email account using their myHighline user name and password. Highline student email operates on the Gmail platform in Google’s G-Suite for Education.
Students can log in to their student email account at students.highline.edu.
A Highline student email address is [myHighline username] @students.highline.edu
Official college correspondence will be sent to this email address, as well as all email correspondence from Canvas.
Placement helps you identify which classes you are eligible to take.
Placement is necessary for the majority of students, but not everyone. Placement is needed if you are taking a class with a placement prerequisite. These include math, science, English, reading, business technology (BSTEC), healthcare, psychology and communication courses. Placement can be determined using high school transcripts, GED scores, placement tests you have taken elsewhere or by Highline’s assessment tests.
When you are ready for placement, go to the Placement and Testing Center (Building 1, East Entrance) with your photo ID. There are no fees for placement.
WAMAP is computerized, requiring only very basic computer skills, such as the use of a mouse.
There is no time limit. You will first need to create an account in WAMAP to practice, prepare and take a math test. Click here for sign-up and online practice instructions.
All students can choose whether to start in Test 1 or Test 2. The student cannot use a calculator for Test 1. Based on recent math experience some students are able to start in Test 3. An Entry Advisor can help to determine if you meet the requirements for starting with Test 3.
There are four tests altogether, and although most students only need to take one test, sometimes it may be two. Your program of study will determine which math courses are needed and which test(s) you will take.
Students can retake WAMAP twice per quarter. For retake purposes, we define quarters as the week after the end of one quarter through finals week of the next quarter.
There are different ways to find office hours. If you are taking a class with the instructor, you can refer to your syllabus and find your instructor is preferred office hours.
For general inquiries, go to Highline directory and search or click the instructors’ name. You will see the instructors’ office hours listed as well as their contact information.
The Jumpstart program serves as a bridge to College by enrolling students in prep writing and reading courses. It offers English 91, Read 91/81, and support class. There is no cost, but students must go through the application process listed below.
Students need to take the ESL COMPASS test, fill out the application, write a personal statement letter, and have a teacher’s letter of recommendation. Applications are accepted every quarter. You can find more information by visiting Building 19 or the Transition Center in Building 1.
The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is for people who don’t file a federal FAFSA application
Eligibility for several Washington State financial aid programs has expanded to include students who are ineligible for federal financial aid due to immigration status. Students who meet individual program, income, or residency requirements for the Washington College Grant, the College Bound Scholarship, State Work Study, or Passport Scholarship should complete the free WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) to apply for state financial aid.
Filling out the FAFSA can make you eligible for multiple types of financial aid — including grants, scholarships, student loans and work-study — to fund some or all of your college education. You can file it at fafsa.ed.gov.
Current students are provided with a credit each quarter to use for printing and/or copying. Students must first activate their account in order to access these funds.
If a student has used up their credit for the quarter, they may add value to their account at the kiosks in Building 6 (first floor), the Library (Building 25, Plaza level), Building 29, and Building 30 prior to printing/copying. The kiosks only accept paper U.S. currency ($1, $5, $10, $20) and do not provide change. You can print from the Library, Building 25.
To avoid delays in receiving your financial aid, make sure to check your ctcLink Student Portal for any missing documents and submit them within 10 days. Please note that the Highline College Financial Aid Office requires 10 days to process all submitted documents. How to Review To Do Lists in the ctcLink Student Portal.
Check Your Financial Aid Status
Students can now check on the status of their Financial Aid Application 24/7. Using your Highline login credentials, students can check the status of their application, what that status means, and what their next step should be in the process. By clicking the button below you will be taken to a tool to check the status of your FAFSA/WASFA application.
Women’s Programs is a great resource for all students (men and women alike!) who are looking for resources to remove barriers to stay in school. Women’s programs also offers confidential resources for people experiencing domestic violence. They are located in Building 6 and you can learn more by visiting the Women’s Programs and WorkFirst Services website.