Back to School Guide

Get Help with ctcLink Activation, a COVID Attestation/Exemption Request, or How to Register.

ctcLink help videos available in English and Spanish:

• Activate your ctcLink account
• Como activar su cuenta de CTC

COVID-19 Attestation help videos available in English and Spanish:

• COVID-19 Attestation Help Video in English
• COVID-19 Attestation Help Video in Spanish

Other resources:

• How to Enroll Help Guide
• How to Enroll in a Class on ctcLink Mobile Help Guide

Drop in for a support session for Basic Education for Adult programs. No registration required. Support sessions are held regularly on Mondays at the Mount Vernon campus from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in Lewis Hall 125. BEdA Support Sessions are bilingual in English and Spanish.

We’re here to help you get started! Attend a Support Session.

Are you ready to apply and enroll at Skagit Valley College? Attend a Support Session to receive specific help with your enrollment questions. The SVC Support Session is a drop-in style session aimed to help you through the enrollment steps at SVC.

In-Person Support

Mount Vernon campus
More details to come!

Whidbey Island campus
More details to come!

Virtual Support

Join us on Zoom for personal one-on-one support to get registered and ready for summer and fall quarters. More details about virtual support sessions to come! 

You will be able to work alongside SVC staff to get assistance with any of the following processes:

• Get help completing your online admissions application
• Scheduling your appointment to take your placement test (ACCUPLACER)
• Guidance with course placement (bring transcripts if applicable)
• Schedule your orientation appointment with your Advisor/ Navigator (Cardinal Take Off)
• ctcLink account activation (Get your new student ID)
• Guidance with filling out your student vaccination exemption/verification

Step-by-Step Instructions – Admissions and Enrollment Steps Videos

Admissions and State Application – How to complete your Online Admissions Application in ctcLink

• English
• Español

Get Help with Registration, ctcLink Activation, and/or COVID-19 Attestation/Exemption Request

• In-person support and remote support: More details coming!

The Financial Aid Office is ready to provide you with financial assistance so you have the opportunity to achieve your educational goals.

Financial aid applications are online. Learn how to apply for Financial Aid here. Make sure to complete the 2022-2023 application if you are planning to attend summer and/or fall 2022.

Need help completing your FAFSA or WASFA application? Drop by in-person to Lewis Hall, room 206 on the Mount Vernon campus during one of our upcoming applications sessions:

• 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, June 15 and July 20 – FAFSA/WASFA Application Sessions
• 2:30-4 p.m. Wednesdays, June 22 and July 27 – Bilingual (English and Spanish) FAFSA/WASFA Application Sessions (Spanish speaking staff available)

Learn more and RSVP to attend an application session here.

We also offer application help on the Whidbey Island campus by appointment. Please contact our Whidbey Island office at 360.679.5320.

We know funding your education can be overwhelming and we are here to help. Review our frequently asked questions for detailed information on the financial aid process at Skagit Valley College.

Want to talk with someone? We offer a variety of in-person, phone, and live chat hours to answer your questions. Visit our website to view our service hours.

Important deadlines
June 22: Summer quarter tuition payment due 
Sept. 6: Fall quarter tuition payment due 
Pay your tuition in ctcLink. 

Questions about paying tuition? We can help with payments, payment plans, and questions you may have. Contact us:
Mount Vernon cashier: 360.416.7805
Whidbey Island cashier: 360.679.5353 

Need help funding your education? We’re here for you!
Don’t let the challenge of paying for classes prevent you from realizing your educational goals. Additional funding is available, and it is not too late to apply! Complete your financial aid application as soon as possible. Learn More. We also have financial aid, grants, and emergency loans. Our goal is to provide you with many options to finance your education. Learn about more options on how to pay for college.

Scholarships
Start planning early! SVC’s scholarship application for the 2023-2024 school year will be available winter quarter 2023. SVC Foundation awards almost $1 million annually in scholarships to SVC students. All students qualify and are encouraged to apply! Visit https://skagitfoundation.org/scholarships/.

Emergency Funds
We understand challenges can arise during your educational journey and we are here to support you. SVC offers several emergency funding resources. Learn more.

The Mount Vernon campus Cardinal Bookstore hours for summer quarter are:

Regular hours:
June 21-24: Closed for inventory
8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday, June 27-29 (closed June 30-July 1)
8 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, July 5-7 (closed July 4 and 8)
8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday, July 11-14 (closed July 15)

Remainder of summer quarter hours:
9 a.m.- 3 p.m., Monday-Wednesdays and closed Thursday-Sunday

The Whidbey Island campus bookstore remains closed.

How can students order textbooks?

Orders for spring quarter course materials can be placed:

• Online at www.cardinalbookstore.com
• In person at the Cardinal Bookstore at the Mount Vernon campus
• Call: Katya Zhekovska, assistant manager at 360.416.7741

Orders placed by telephone can either be shipped to students via UPS, or students can pick up prepaid orders using the bookstore’s Curbside Pickup Service.  Prepaid orders can also be picked up in store at the Mount Vernon campus.

Can orders be shipped via UPS at the customer’s request?

• Orders for course materials will be shipped via UPS.  UPS shipping rates are:
  • $15 per order – Regular UPS Ground Service
  • $30 - 2nd Day UPS Service

Does the bookstore provide Curbside Pickup Service?

Yes, Curbside Pickup Service is available at the Mount Vernon campus store only.

• Customers can pick up prepaid orders using curbside pickup at no additional charge.
• Once the customer’s order is processed, the bookstore will contact the customer and let them know the order is ready to be picked up.  The bookstore staff member will then provide the telephone number to call once the customer comes to the curbside pickup designated parking area in front of the Cardinal Center on the Mount Vernon campus. The curbside pickup area will also be readily marked and signed with instructions.
• Customers will be required to show identification when picking up prepaid orders.
• Customers will remain in their vehicle while picking up prepaid orders.
• Hours for curbside pickup are:
  • Rush week: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
  • Regular hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday

How can students make a purchase with an agency funded account, such as Veterans Association, Labor and Industries, Workforce Grants, Basic Food Employment and Training, Workfirst, etc.?

Students with an agency funded account may make purchases by coming into the bookstore, or they will need to call the bookstore to place an order.

• Students will need to have their registration available when they call the bookstore so they can confirm the courses they are registered in.
• Students will also need to know the textbooks and materials that have been approved to purchase.
• Cardinal Bookstore contact for placing orders is shown above.

Please note: All students with agency funded accounts for spring quarter will need to provide a ctcLink Student Number.

How can students return textbooks and course materials?

• Returns and exchanges can be processed in store at the Mount Vernon campus bookstore.

Is a textbook buy back scheduled for spring quarter?

• There is no textbook buyback scheduled for spring quarter.

• Applied Bachelor in Applied Management (BASAM) program. The program offers two tracks, General Management and Health Care Management. BASAM is a two-year, 90-credit workplace-oriented program designed for students who have completed an associate degree in any field, including those that do not typically transfer to four-year universities. The learning environment replicates the on-the-job learning environment with upper-level courses that model a management view perspective. As part of our commitment to equity in accessibility, textbook costs in this program are capped at $50 per upper-level course.
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Conservation (BASEC) program. As SVC’s first applied bachelor degree and now in its seventh year, BASEC is a two-year program. Our 90-credit program is designed for those who hold an associate degree in fields such as Environmental Conservation and Biology, or who have completed the equivalent college-level credits. The program offers an exceptional learning experience made possible due to Skagit Valley’s unique ecology of temperate forests, shorelines, and mixed-use wilderness areas and a fully accredited lab.

• Applied Management
• Business Management
• Multimedia and Interactive Technology

In addition to online instruction, the following programs will include hands-on labs and learning experiences, with safety protocols in place:

• Automotive Technology
• Composites Technology
• Craft Brewing
• Culinary Arts
• Diesel Power Technology
• Early Childhood Education
• Fire Science
• Human Services
• Manufacturing Technology
• Marine Maintenance Technology
• Medical Assistant
• Nursing – Pre-Nursing Lab; Clinicals
• Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy
• Pharmacy Technician
• Welding Technology

• Manufacturing – Associate Degree: Our newly expanded lab and class curriculum will create a unique on-the-job experience. Engage in start to finish manufacturing as you produce, test, and roll out to market your own product. Learn More.
• Engineering – Associate in Science, Transfer (AS-T): If you are considering a bachelor’s in engineering, take the courses to complete your Associate in Science-Transfer degree with us and then continue your engineering studies at a four-year college or university. Learn More.
• Multimedia and Interactive Technology Web Developer – Applied Associate in Science, Transfer (AAS-T): Focus on website development, applications, databases, interfaces and more, while preparing for a seamless transfer to complete your bachelor’s degree. Learn More.
• Information Management and Data Science – Associate Degree: Interdisciplinary and tech-driven, our two-year degree focuses on theory, organization, and process of data collection, transmission, analysis, and utilization used in today’s cloud-based industry. Learn More. 
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Conservation (BASEC): A career-oriented applied bachelor program with exceptional learning experiences. The program takes place in Skagit Valley’s unique ecology of temperate forests, shorelines, and mixed-use wilderness areas and in our fully accredited lab. Register for a Program Briefing. Learn More.
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management (BASAM): Earn your applied bachelor’s in General Management or our NEW Healthcare Management track. Our two-year, 90-credit workplace-oriented program is designed for those who have completed an associate degree, including those that typically do not transfer to four-year universities. As part of our commitment to equity in accessibility, textbook costs in this program are capped at $50 per upper-level course. Register for a Program Briefing. Learn More.

We are accepting new Running Start students for Spring Quarter! Running Start is a dual credit program that allows eligible juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses though Skagit Valley College, TUITION-FREE. Students enroll in SVC courses that may count towards a college degree and meet high school graduation requirements. SVC clubs, services, and activities are open to Running Start students!

Students should work closely with high school counselors and college advisors to select courses best suited to meet their goals. SVC offers courses in person through our campuses, centers, and online. Students can take academic transfer courses or professional technical courses.

Running Start Information Sessions are available through SVC, sign up here.

Need help or have a question? Contact [email protected] or 360.416.7617 or visit www.skagit.edu/runningstart. 

The Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) program offers classes for High School Completion, GED Prep, and English Language Acquisition. Classes and services are available via remote delivery, as well as some in-person support offered by SVC BEdA faculty. Learn More. Options for appointments are being offered in-person, by phone, or online via Zoom. To schedule an appointment to get registered, email [email protected] or call 360.416.7640. Visit  www.skagit.edu/remote for more information and resources, and please regularly monitor your SVC student email account for updates if you are a current student.

BEdA Support Sessions

Drop in a for a support session for Basic Education for Adult programs. No registration required. Support sessions are held regularly on Mondays at the Mount Vernon campus from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in Lewis Hall, room 125. BEdA support sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

The Basic Education for Adults office is committed to your success as we continue to adjust our programs and instruction to help you meet your educational goals. There are a variety of resources available to you, such as laptop loans, funding, and advising support to help you navigate these challenging times. If you need access to a laptop or hotspot to support your studies, the SVC Libraries at the Mount Vernon and Whidbey Island campuses are loaning technology to help you succeed! Learn More.

Open Doors is seeking enrollment for new students! Open Doors is a competency-based high school completion program for eligible individuals who are 16-20 years of age who need additional high school credits. High school competency requirements may be met through high school and college coursework and/or prior learning gained from work and life experience. Unmet requirements may be achieved through additional coursework at SVC. If you would like to enroll and/or would like more information, please contact Rose Hill, Open Doors Navigator, [email protected] or 360.416.7795.

TRIO Student Support Services is a federal grant program that welcomes you into a caring community and provides a sense of place at SVC. Our services support you in reaching your academic goals. We provide personal advising, free one-on-one tutoring, transfer assistance and planning, and much more. Learn more about our program and apply to participate at https://www.skagit.edu/trio-support-services/.

• 24/7 Reference Chat Service
• One-on-One Zoom Meetings with a Librarian
• Library Resource Check Outs (books, etc.)

Not sure how we can best help you? Email [email protected] and a librarian will be happy to help you!

The Diversity Center is located in Cardinal Center C-177 on the Mount Vernon Campus and is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diversity Center offers a safe and affirming space for people from historically marginalized communities and offers resources such as: diverse library, fridge, microwave, study tables, desktops, and lounging space complete with couches and a TV. There will occasionally be programs hosted in this space as well.

For questions about the space or for booking for student group meetings and events, please contact Rick Flores, Interim Assistant Director of Student Equity and Inclusion, at [email protected].

The Office of Student Equity and Inclusion Services assists traditionally underrepresented students achieve academic success through counseling and programming activities. Our programs facilitate student success by fostering and sustaining an inclusive campus community. Our goal is to develop programs and resources that promote multicultural and social justice awareness, education, and appreciation for diversity. We support a welcoming, safe, and constructive environment for all students. Our office is located in the Cardinal Center C-190 suite with Student Life.

For information about the Office of Student Equity and Inclusion, please contact Rick Flores, Interim Assistant Director of Student Equity and Inclusion, at [email protected]. 

We are currently working with our community partner, Skagit Gleaners, to offer a remote food distribution site at SVC Mount Vernon Campus. Please direct questions to Brian Murphy, Director of Student Life.

Spring Quarter Schedule: Distribution will be Wednesdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sign-ups will be available through Canvas on Tuesdays. Students sign up ahead of time for pick up which will be on Wednesdays in Cardinal Center, room C-190 at the Mount Vernon campus or in Old Main, room B-116 at the Whidbey Island campus.

Additional community resources:

• Helping Hands Food Bank:
  360.856.2211
  9386 Fruitdale Road, Sedro-Woolley
  Mon. and Wed. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Thurs. 12-5 p.m., and Fri. 5-7 p.m.
  No ID is required, and you can go once each week.
• Tri-Parish Food Bank:
  360.757.0128
  935 Peterson Road, Burlington
  September thru May: Saturdays 1-3 p.m.
  June thru September: Wednesdays 2-6 p.m.
• Neighbors in Need:
  360.420.0558
  1615 South 2nd Street, Mount Vernon
  Tuesdays 1-6 p.m.
• Help House:
  360.675.0681
  1091 SE Hathaway St, Oak Harbor
  Mon., Wed., Thurs., and Fri. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.
  Tues. 8 a.m.-12 pm.. and 1-5 p.m.

• Island County Community Resources
• Skagit County Community Resource
• On and Off Campus & International Housing Resources
• Northwest Youth Services

• Mount Vernon Campus: Laura Angst Hall (Lot L1) and Joe Reeves Hall (Lot L2).
• Whidbey Island Campus: Wi-Fi from SVC and the Sno-Isle Library cover the parking lots.

The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at Skagit Valley College assists first generation college students who identify as migrant and whose families are seasonal farmworkers. The program provides academic and financial support services to eligible students in order to complete their first academic year of college and continue in postsecondary education for a second year. The program is federally funded and students must be US citizens or permanent residents.

• The number of weeks you can receive Training Benefits varies according to your claim, but it is usually 26. These are in addition to the weeks you are eligible for, when not in training!
• If approved for training benefits, you do not have to look for work as long as you are enrolled and making satisfactory progress in your training program.
• The Employment Security Department does not pay for books, tuition, or school-related fees, but SVC’s Worker Retraining program does!

For more information about Worker Retraining, email Lisa Barnett, [email protected].

• Veterinary Assistant
• Dental Foundations
• Nursing Assistant
• Medical Billing and Coding
• Pharmacy Technician
• Auto Parts and Service Specialist
• Manufacturing
• Marine Technology
• Multimedia and Interactive Technology
• Technical Design
• Welding

If so, apply to Cardinal Career Scholars today! For more information, we invite you to visit https://www.skagit.edu/cardinal-career-scholars/ or call 360.899.0560.