Highline College
Highline College
Highline College prides itself as being the 5th most diverse college in the entire USA. It is located in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest, which is home to renowned national parks, a stunning coastline and peninsula, a rainforest, the North Cascade mountains and so much more!
Highline offers vast array of programs and majors and is a regionally accredited institution, the gold standard in assessing quality institutions in America. Highline offers 2-year degrees, high school diplomas, 4-year degrees, short term programs, certificate programs and even pre master’s prep courses. With a 17:1 student to teacher ratio, our learning environments promote engagement and critical thinking. This aids in preparing our students for successful transfer to prestigious universities around the U.S. and abroad.
Founded in 1961, Highline celebrates over 60 years of higher education and maintains it’s primary focus – its commitment to serving our incredible students. To date highline has well over 350,000 successful graduates and counting. As the most diverse college in the state of Washington and over 150 languages spoken on campus, there is a community here for all students. International students represent over 50 countries from around the world and add to the beautiful diversity at Highline.
Many opportunities exist for students at Highline and a passionate group of staff and faculty are waiting to serve them. With over 100 years of combined experience serving international students, the International Student Programs department are prepared to help you succeed.
Programs
Scholarships & funding
For the 2021-2022 academic year, we are offering some automatic student tuition discounts (up to $1,000) for new students enrolled in 12 or more credits during Summer 2021 to Spring 2022 quarters. Discounts are applied over 2 quarters at $500 for each qualifying quarter. During this period, we are also offering automatic student housing scholarships (up to $1,950) for those enrolled in Highline. See the housing page on our website for more details.
Highline College offers partial scholarship opportunities for currently enrolled international students who demonstrate strong academic and leadership abilities. These are available explicitly for our international students. The requirements and offerings are listed below.
The scholarship committee wants to see students who earn excellent grades in challenging courses, make an impact in their classes and on the Highline campus at large, and are motivated to succeed in meeting their education and career goals.
Scholarship Eligibility
- You must be an F-1 International student paying non-resident tuition.
- You must be enrolled full-time and in-status at Highline College. If you are in your final quarter and are studying part-time, you must speak with an advisor.
- You must be involved in extracurricular activities.
- You must have completed orientation in its entirety, including all required Smart Start Workshops.
Types of Scholarships
You can apply for ISP scholarships as many times as you want, but you can only be awarded each scholarship type twice. Also, you can apply for multiple scholarships in one quarter, but you can only win a single scholarship in any given quarter.
Engagement Scholarship
- Award amount: $1,000
- Credits completed: 12
- GPA: 3.2 or higher
- Provide a written statement: What skills have you gained by being involved in extracurricular activities (on or off campus) and how will these skills help you in future careers?
Academic Scholarship
- Award amount: $2,000
- Credits completed: 36
- GPA: 3.6 or higher
- Provide a written statement: How will this scholarship help you achieve your personal, education, and career goals?
Honors Scholarship
Prospective Honors Scholars must consult with ISP office prior to applying for any of the other ISP scholarships.
Students eligible for the ISP Honors Scholarship cannot apply for any other ISP scholarships during their final quarter at Highline.
Athletic Scholarship
Highline College now offers limited athletic scholarships to international students! Are you a student-athlete who is looking for placement on a competitive sports team? Highline has collegiate sports in the NWAC conference for both men and women. Please visit our website for more information.
Looking for an athletic scholarship? If you excel in one of the sports offered at Highline and are considering trying out for the college, please send us your highlight videos of you in action. Some additional small scholarships may be available to student-athletes.
Highline's Seyun from South Korea received an athletic scholarship for soccer on top of his academic scholarship in 2021. Please visit our website for more information.
Videos
Why study at Highline College
- Award-winning college (ranked in the top 150 community colleges in the USA in 2021)
- Individual advising to help you meet your goals
- New on campus student housing
- University Transfer Pathways with many four-year university partners
- Over 120 programs, certificates and degrees and still growing
- U.S. high school diploma awarded after completing a 2-year degree with no additional requirements.
- Active student life with many activities, programming, communities and leadership opportunities
- Beautiful location just next to Seattle and the Puget Sound waterway
- Internship &, scholarships opportunities
- Unique OPT, CPT and internship opportunities
Highline College is in the Top 10 Countries to Study Abroad
Awards & Accreditations
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Accredited
Aspen Price
Community College Excellence (2021)
Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED)
2013-2016 (4 years in a row)
ACCT Equity Award
Pacific Region: 2016
Award of Excellence
The American Association of Community Colleges in (2014)
top 100 associate degree producers
Community College Week (2015)
Student services & facilities
- International Student Programs Services
- University Transfer Advising
- Brand new student wellness center/gym
- Free writing and math tutoring center
- Global Student Ambassadors
Student lifestyle
International students are encouraged to take advantage of the wide variety of programs and services that Highline offers. Highly qualified, caring faculty and staff provide programs that can assist students academically and personally. ISP holds an online event calendar that is updated regularly by ISP staff with events that we think are of interest to our students.
Global Student Ambassadors
The Global Student Ambassadors (GSA) are a group of students who plan activities, events, and trips throughout the year to connect the global community on campus. These amazing students are dedicated to making your time at Highline fun and interesting. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, stop by CLS and meet them in person. They’re here for you. Please visit our website for more information.
Campus Resources
Highline College offers many resources for both international and domestic students. Student Services offers support in areas of adjustment, academics, and transfer. All services are free for enrolled students. Some resources include:
- Academic Advising
- Information Technology Services
- Tutoring Center
- Writing Center
- Counseling Center
- Inter-Cultural Center
- Library
- Access Services
Clubs:
Clubs at Highline are student Led and student-initiated. Student Clubs and Organizations are an essential part of Highline College’s community, the Club Team consists of five Community Leadership Consultants (CLCs) who encourage and support Highline Students to make their ideas a reality. Clubs and organizations have been organized by Highline College students with common interests and career goals. Clubs offer a comfortable atmosphere for students to experience personal growth, gain leadership skills, meet new friends, share a common interest.
Student Clubs and Organizations
We have many clubs at Highline and will see many more reemerge as we continue to return to campus. Student clubs and organizations are eligible for several benefits and resources across campus. The Clubs Program is committed to supporting student leaders in putting on quality events, being a successful club, and developing leadership skills. All clubs have access to funding, support, and resources provided by the Clubs Program. Can’t find a club you are interested in? Start your own!
1 idea + 5 students = A Highline College Recognized Club
How to Join a Club
Joining a club is very easy! Attend a scheduled club meeting or you can email the club directly to discuss your questions about joining a club. Each club is an open organization and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, disability, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status or sexual orientation.
Types of Clubs
Academic honor fraternity groups associated with a particular major or subject area. Membership likely has academic and additional requirements in order to be considered an official member.
- Activity: a variety of groups assembled to pursue a particular interest.
- Cultural: groups that organize to support, educate, and inform others about a specific cultural group or traditions.
- Career/vocation: groups associated with a specific program of study, major, or subject area, membership is open to all those interested.
- Leadership organizations: groups that have an affiliation with a nationally recognized organization.
- Religious: groups affiliated with a particular belief system or denomination.
- Service: groups interested in providing service to the community at large.
- Social action: groups bringing awareness to a particular issue and providing opportunities for social interaction based on similar interests.
ASHC Student Government
The Associated Students of Highline College (ASHC) is the student government or advocacy organization for Highline students, which represents students’ interests and concerns to the college administration, faculty, staff, and greater community.
Students, through the ASHC, participate in setting campus policy and procedures, allocate service and activities funds, serve as members of various campus committees and evaluate student programs to reflect the changing needs and interests of students.
CONNECT Program
The CONNECT Program is a community of students engaged in leadership opportunities across Highline College. Explore something new while building skills and confidence, and make connections with other students and campus resources.
Throughout the 2021-2022 academic year, the CONNECT Program will offer Thunderbird Thursdays, leadership workshops offered on the first Thursday of each month. These workshops will help you explore what being a leader means for you and grow your skills.
Participate in at least five (5) leadership workshops to earn a leadership certificate. These can include Thunderbird Thursdays or leadership workshops/programs offered by another campus department.
Accommodation
Housing Options
International students have many options for housing around Highline College. Whether you prefer living with an American family in a homestay, sharing housing with other students, or living on your own in an apartment, there is a perfect match for your lifestyle.
If you have any questions or concerns about housing, please visit our website for more information.
Highline Student Residence/Dormitory
Highline College’s student housing building opened in December 2018. The building is named Campus View and is conveniently located, about a 3-minute walk to classrooms and student service offices at Highline. Campus View offers apartment-style housing with beautiful views of the area at a very reasonable cost. The building has 24/7 security, resident advisors and various programming for residents. Only students can live in Campus View and is not open to the public.
Students 17 years and older who are new to the U.S., or the Des Moines WA area are required to spend their first quarter living in Campus View.
Other Housing Options:
Homestay
Living with an American family can be a great way to start your life in the USA. Students living in a homestay learn about American culture in their daily life and improve their English skills.
Homestay Agencies
There are many homestay agencies to choose from. Do your research and choose an agency that you think will work best for you, then apply directly to the agency of your choice. Highline College cannot recommend any specific agency, so make sure to do your research.
These are two examples of local homestay agencies.
Intercultural Homestay and Services, Inc.
I find this program interesting although on website there's specific information enumerated.