Eligibility for Financial Aid

Students without a high school diploma or GED may still qualify for financial aid through the Ability to Benefit (ATB) program. ATB allows eligible students to receive aid for tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses if they can demonstrate the ability to benefit from a college education.

Ability to Benefit (PDF)

You may be eligible if you:

• Do not have a high school diploma or GED, and

• Plan to enroll in an eligible career pathway program.

How to qualify for ATB:

• Option 1: Pass a Department of Education–approved ATB test.

• Option 2: Complete six college-level credits or 225 eligible clock hours (remedial courses do not count).

• Option 3: Complete a Washington State–approved ATB option through co-enrollment in High School+ and an I-BEST Title IV–eligible career pathway.

Next steps:
Complete the FAFSA or WASFA and meet with a Financial Aid Specialist.

Questions?
Email financialaid@batestech.edu or call 253.680.7020.

In order to receive financial aid from our office, you must be enlisted in one of the following academic programs (career pathways).

*Program (career pathways) eligibility is different for Workforce Education Services (WES) funding recipients. Contact your WES specialist for more information. For information about the WES office, visit the WES webpage.

Financial Aid Eligible Programs 2026 – 2027

Please contact vabenefits@batestech.edu for questions.