Worker Retraining Program
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC)
Tuition, books and fees help at Washington community and technical colleges for unemployed, recently laid-off or at-risk workers retraining for a new job.
- How much
- tuition assistance, books and fees (amount varies by college)
- Who qualifies
- unemployed or dislocated worker
- Any of: receiving or eligible for unemployment benefits; exhausted benefits in the past four years; formerly self-employed and unemployed due to economic conditions; unemployed veteran discharged in the past four years; displaced homemaker; or a vulnerable worker meeting two of: job not in demand, fewer than 45 college credits, must upgrade skills to stay employed.
- For adults going back to school, trade school students
- When to apply
- Apply any time Ongoing; through each college
- How to apply
- Attend a Worker Retraining orientation and contact your college's Worker Retraining Program coordinator
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (sbctc.edu)
The details
State-funded retraining support at community and technical colleges (and some private career schools). Covers tuition assistance, books and fees for those who qualify, plus educational advising, job search help and help finding other funding (e.g. Commissioner Approved Training, Training Benefits, WIOA, Trade Adjustment). Applies only to basic skills courses or professional-technical programs; each college decides which programs are eligible. Amounts are not published.
More money from Washington
- Washington College Grant (WA Grant)up to full tuition; 2026-27 maximum $13,203/yr (University of Washington), $5,095 at community and technical colleges; partial awards (60%, 50%, 24.5%, 10%) at higher incomes
- WSOS Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS)$2,500 per year until accepted into the major, then $5,000, $7,500 and $5,000 in the following years
- WA Grant for Apprenticeship (WG-A)up to $2,548 (2026-27 maximum); based on family income, may be prorated
- College Bound (formerly College Bound Scholarship)free public-college tuition when combined with WA Grant; 2026-27 maximum combined awards from $5,595 (community/technical colleges) to $13,703 (University of Washington)
- Opportunity Granttuition and fees for up to 45 credits, plus up to $1,000 for books and supplies
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Idaho, Oregon
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.