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WorkFirst

Application for Fall 2025 Funding will open August 11, 2025

The Workforce Education Application for Fall 2025 Funding will be open August 11, 2025 through September 26, 2025 12AM Pacific Standard Time (UTC-8). Eligible applicants must complete additional enrollment steps and/or forms before enrolling into one of the Workforce Education programs and receiving funding.

We recommend signing-up for an email alert from us so that you receive a reminder that the application is open and to apply as soon as possible.

Do I qualify for the WorkFirst program?

  • You receive TANF cash assistance from DSHS
    • TANF must be open on the first day of the quarter to receive funding for that quarter
  • Your DSHS Case Manager has approved you to participate in WorkFirst
    • Your DSHS Case Manager must send an electronic referral to the WorkFirst Specialist
  • You understand that you will need to complete an Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP) for each quarter that you participate in WorkFirst
    • Your DSHS Case Manager must approve your IRP
  • You understand that you will need to submit weekly WorkFirst participation forms.

Please see below for eligible academic programs:

WorkFirst students are now eligible to complete their bachelor’s degree if a student is within ninety (90) credits or one academic year of completing the degree. If you are interested in joining WorkFirst to complete your bachelor’s degree, please contact Randal Stephens, WorkFirst Specialist with North Seattle College at (206)934-3769 or by email at randal.stephens@seattlecolleges.edu to discuss next steps.

Please note that students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree through WorkFirst will need to be fully eligible to receive Financial Aid through North Seattle College’s Financial Aid office.  

How do I apply for the WorkFirst program?

  1. Take the Start Next Quarter survey to check your funding eligibility; the survey is not an application for funding.
  2. If eligible for funding, you should receive a Results page that lists the funding program(s) for which you may qualify. Click the ‘GO’ button to be directed to the Attend a Workshop page.
  3. On the Attend a Workshop page, enter your contact information then click the ‘GO’ button to be directed to the Get in Touch page.
  4. The Get in Touch page includes information for the Workforce Education Application and link; click on the link to open the application.
  5. Complete and submit the North Seattle College Workforce Education Application. You should receive a confirmation email upon submission.
  6. The confirmation email also includes information about our review process and additional enrollment steps you can take while you await your eligibility email. If you cannot find a confirmation email, make sure to check your junk/spam and if needed update your email settings to prevent emails from us at nworkforce@seattlecolleges.edu going to your junk/spam.

If you have questions, please complete the Workforce Education Contact Form.