Admissions
Newileng – Welcome!
Northwest Indian College primarily focuses on recruiting Native-American, Alaska Native, and Canadian First Nations students, but follows an ‘open door’ admissions policy. Anyone who has graduated from high school or the equivalent may be accepted into Northwest Indian College. Students who are under the age of 18 without a High School Diploma or the equivalent must obtain permission from their parent or legal guardian and the school district before enrolling for college-level courses in the Running Start program. Contact the Office of Admissions for more information on the Running Start Program. Students who are not prepared to begin college-level courses are provided with a wide variety of developmental course work designed to prepare them for more advanced study and to pursue programs suited to their interests and aptitude.
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Students who plan to work toward a degree, certificate or award of completion must complete the following admission procedures:
1. Submit a Northwest Indian College Application for Admission form.
You can apply online or download an Admissions Application form above. Application packets may be obtained from the Admissions Office on the Lummi Campus or at any Instructional site. Applications may also be requested by phone, mail, fax or e-mail. Students who have not enrolled for classes in more than one calendar year must re-apply.2. Submit a copy of your High School Diploma or GED with the completed Application for Admission.
Please submit a copy of either your High School Diploma/transcripts or GED with your application.3. Send a copy of your Tribal Certification with the completed Application for Admission.
If you do not have documentation, complete a Northwest Indian College Tribal Certification Release form listed above, and send it with your completed Application for Admission. Please note: Resident tuition rates apply only to students with tribal certification on file or non-resident students who meet the criteria below. All other students are considered Non-Resident students for tuition paying purposes.- Demonstrated Indian ancestry and live on or near an Indian reservation
- Spouse or dependent of a Resident student
- Employee of Northwest Indian College or tribal agency within the NWIC service area
- Spouse or dependent of Northwest Indian College or tribal agency employee within the NWIC service area
4. Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities.
Please submit them as soon as possible but not later than the end of the first quarter of enrollment at Northwest Indian College. You must also complete a Transfer Evaluation Request. The form is listed above under Admissions Forms. Students receiving financial aid or veterans benefits may need to submit paperwork. Since most available aid comes from federal and state government sources, early application is strongly advised.5. Complete Placement testing.
You can now take the placement test via Zoom with the Testing Coordinator. Please email testing@nwic.edu at least 1 day prior to your wanted testing day to get scheduled. All new students attending NWIC are required to complete the Accuplacer Placement test in order to assist in the selection of courses appropriate to the student’s academic ability. The results of the Accuplacer placement test also assist student advisors in the selection of courses appropriate to the student’s academic ability.
Admissions Forms
New Students
Accepted Student Checklist
Congratulations on your acceptance to NWIC! We are excited to welcome you to our learning community.
Now that you’ve been accepted, there are a few steps to complete before your first quarter. Use this checklist to get started. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own—our staff are here to help you along the way.
#1 ACTIVATE YOUR STUDENT ACCOUNTS
Before you start your first day of school there are a few technology related tasks you should complete. Finish the list below in order and you’ll be all set. For any assistance, please email elearning@nwic.edu
Activate your Student Account
#2 FINANCIAL AID
Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For priority deadlines, please refer to the Financial Aid section of the catalog or contact the Financial Aid Office.
Contact Financial Aid
#3 PLACEMENT
New students and transfer students who have not taken college-level Math and/or English are required to take a placement test. Transfer students who have taken college-level Math and/or English are required to submit official transcripts and need to fill out a Transfer Evaluation Request Form.
Book Placement Test
#4 ADVISING
Your advisor or instructional site manager will help you prepare for your first quarter. During your meeting, you’ll discuss your academic goals, develop an education plan, review your placement or transfer credits, and select your courses. Need help?
Contact Advisors
#5 REVIEW YOUR TUITION & FEES
Register for classes, pay tuition/fees, and purchase textbooks.
After registering, check your student account in JICS to review your tuition balance and any additional fees.
Even if you’re receiving financial aid, scholarships, or tribal funding, you may still have a remaining balance.
Contact Student Accounts
GET READY FOR YOUR FIRST QUARTER!
Attend New Student Orientation
Meet other students, connect with NWIC staff, and learn about the resources available to help you succeed.
Learn About New Student Orientation
Congratulations on your acceptance to NWIC! We are excited to welcome you to our learning community.
Now that you’ve been accepted, there are a few steps to complete before your first quarter. Use this checklist to get started. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own—our staff are here to help you along the way.
Testing
Accuplacer
All new students attending NWIC are required to complete the a placement test in order to assist in the selection of courses appropriate to the student’s academic ability. Students who have previously taken college courses in math and English do not need to complete. Northwest Indian College uses the Accuplacer test. The Accuplacer test is untimed and is not pass/fail. It is a tool to help you and your advisor select the right classes for you to be successful.
*Note: Students taking the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) are not required to take the placement test and directly contact the program advisor.
SCHEDULING
In-Person Appointment
Remote/Distance
- Access to a computer or laptop with a camera that can be on the entire time you are testing.
- Stable Wi-Fi to complete your testing
- A quiet and uninterrupted space that allows you to test for approximately 1.5-2 hours
If you are running late or need to reschedule your appointment please contact the testing center via telephone or email to inform the Testing Center Staff. Any appointments that are more than 15 minutes late are considered forfeited.
COST AND PAYMENT OPTIONS
Students wishing to take an Accuplacer test to apply for Admission at Northwest Indian College are not charged a fee.
Students wishing to take an Accuplacer test for another institution are more than welcome to do so at NWIC. Be sure to make your remote testing appointment through your host institution and contact NWIC to make your appointment. There is a $35.00 fee.
Payable in the NWIC accounting office located in building 9 with cash, check, or card. Card payments may be called in at (360) 676-2772 and asking for accounting.
Testing Center Contact Information
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Phone: (360) 392-4303
Email: Testing@nwic.edu
Lummi Campus – Building 17
Center for Student Success
ADULT BASIC EDUCATION/GED
Please note that GED testing is no longer offered through Northwest Indian College. For more GED Information please visit https://ged.com/. You can find further information through the GED portal once you create a profile. Northwest Indian College no longer has access to student GED files. Please direct questions regarding transcripts and copies of certificates to the following link. Third party inquiries please follow this link to confirm a students GED standing.
ABE/GED Information
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Phone: (360) 201-4735
Email: khumphreys@nwic.edu
Lummi Campus – Building 13
New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation
Welcome new students! We’re so excited to have you joining our community. Northwest Indian College has served students since classes were first offered in 1973. 47 years later, we continue to promotes Indigenous self-determination and knowledge to our students. We’re proud of the achievements and successes of our current students and more than 1800 alumni. We look forward to supporting you as you work toward your academic and professional goals.
Winter 2026 New Student Orientation
Date TBD
Tuition and Fees
2026-2027 Tuition Rates
Tuition Rates 2026-2027
| Credits | Resident 2026-2027 | Non-Resident 2026-2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | $110 | $220 |
| 02 | $220 | $440 |
| 03 | $330 | $660 |
| 04 | $440 | $880 |
| 05 | $550 | $1,110 |
| 06 | $660 | $1,320 |
| 07 | $770 | $1,540 |
| 08 | $880 | $1,760 |
| 09 | $990 | $1,980 |
| 10 | $1,100 | $2,200 |
| 11 | $1,210 | $2,420 |
| 12 | $1,320 | $2,640 |
| 13+ | $110 per cr. | $220 per cr. |
Fees 2026-2027
Effective July 1, 2024 a $25 fee will be applied to distance learning courses.
Laboratory or materials fees: Certain courses carry laboratory or materials fees. All students are required to pay an enrollment fee and technology fee, and activity fee depending on the number of enrolled credits.
1-5 credit hours:
$35 non-refundable enrollment fee, $50 technology fee. Total fees = $85/qtr
6-11 credit hours:
$35 non-refundable enrollment fee, $50 technology fee, and a $20 student activity fee. Total fees for part-time enrollment = $105/qtr
12-18 credit hours:
$35 non-refundable enrollment fee, $50 technology fee and a $50 student activity fee. Total fees for full-time enrollment = $135/qtr
* An additional $35 non-refundable late enrollment fee may apply
Student Accounts & Billing
Student Accounts & Billing
Accessing your Student Account
You may access your student account in JICS under the “Finance” Tab.
When you register for classes or make changes to your registration, you are making a financial commitment to NWIC. Failure to view your account does not negate your responsibility to pay by the due date.
Account Holds
TR Hold (Transcript Request Hold)
Your current balance is somewhere between $0.01 and $499.99. This balance will still allow you to register for courses, however you will not be able to access your unofficial transcripts or even order official transcripts
AR Hold (Accounts Receivable Hold)
Your current balance exceeds $500, and you will not be able to register until your balance is below this amount. Common reasons this happens include not having submitted a copy of your tribal ID or CDIB information when you submitted your application, or not completing verification for financial aid.
Making Payments
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Go to CASHNet
You can make a payment against your balance using a credit card, electronic check, or international funds transfer. You can also invite someone else to make a payment on your behalf.
Payments are typically processed the following business day.
If you need an account hold removed immediately, please email StudentAccounts@nwic.edu or call (360) 392-4222.
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Campus Cashier: (360) 392-4203
Student Accounts (360) 392-4222
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Payments are accepted in-person at the Cashier’s Office, Building 23, Lummi Main Campus M-F 9am-5pm.
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Email studentaccounts@nwic.edu with your phone number and a staff member will contact you when in office to process your credit card over the phone.
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Check or Money Order payments can be made by mail to:
Northwest Indian College
Attn: Accounting
2522 Kwina Road
Bellingham, WA
98226Please be sure to include your student ID or full name along with the payment. Do not mail cash.
3rd Party Payments
If some or all of your tuition and fees will be paid by a qualified 3rd Party, the authorization guaranteeing payment of a specified amount of your tuition and fees must be received in the Accounts Receivable Office.
Mail 3rd Party Authorizations to:
Northwest Indian College
Attn: Accounting
2522 Kwina Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
Having a 3rd Party Authorization on file does not remove your responsibility to assure that all tuition and fees are paid. Should your 3rd Party not send a timely payment, the debt will remain on your student account and you will be responsible for any charges.
In addition, if you will be receiving Financial Aid, you should notify the Financial Aid Department (financialaid@nwic.edu) regarding your eligibility for aid.
Accounting Department Contact Information:
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Phone: (360) 392-4222
Email: StudentAccounts@nwic.edu
Running Start
Running Start
What is Running Start?
The Running Start Program is a partnership between NWIC and Washington state public high schools. The program offers eligible high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take NWIC classes that satisfy both high school and college credit requirements simultaneously, tuition free. Running Start allows a student to get a head start on earning college credits, seek a greater academic challenge, or take courses that are not offered in their high school. Students may enroll concurrently in high school and college classes, or solely in college classes. While tuition for college-level classes is paid by the Running Start Programs, the cost of fees, books and supplies are paid by the students.
To participate in NWIC’s Running Start program, students must take the NWIC placement tests and place at college-level English (English 100 or above). Other criteria and specific procedures for enrolling in courses as a Running Start student are available from the NWIC Office of Admissions.
Students continuing in the Running Start Program are required to submit paperwork quarterly. Students are not charged tuition if they stay within the Running Start eligibility criteria. Students are responsible for all fees.
General Information
runningstart@nwic.edu
Running Start Advising/Registration
Justin Aceveda
Phone: 360.392.4243
Email: jaaceveda@nwic.edu
Academic Calendars
Academic Year
AT-A-GLANCE CALENDAR
| Summer Quarter 2026 | Fall Quarter 2026 | Winter Quarter 2027 | Spring Quarter 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration - May 11 to July 2, 2026 | Registration - May 11 to Sept. 18, 2026 | Registration - Nov. 9, 2026 to Jan. 4, 2027 | Registration Feb. 19 - April 5, 2027 |
| Quarter Begins - July 6, 2026 | Quarter Begins - Sept. 21, 2026 | Quarter Begins - Jan. 5, 2027 | Quarter Begins - April 6, 2027 |
| Quarter Ends - Aug. 28, 2026 | Quarter Ends - Dec. 4, 2026 | Quarter Ends - March 19, 2027 | Quarter Ends - June 16, 2027 |
| Commencement - June 17, 2027 |
Important Dates 2026-2027
| Important Dates | Summer 2026 (2027-10) | Fall 2026 (2027-20) | Winter 2027 (2027-30) | Spring 2027 (2027-40) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | May 11 - July 2 | May 11 - Sept 18 | Nov 9 - Jan 4 | Feb 19 - April 5 |
| Admissions App/Financial Aid - Priority Deadline | May 1 | June 15 | Oct 15 | Feb 1 |
| Graduation App Due | - | July 1 | Oct 15 | Feb 1 |
| Quarter classes begin | July 6 | Sept 21 | Jan 5 | April 6 |
| Late Registration | July 6 - July 10 | Sept 21 - 25 | Jan 5 - 8 | April 6 - 9 |
| Administrative Drop for Prerequisites and Requirements (Ad/Pr drop) | - | Sept 23 | Jan 7 | April 9 |
| Faculty Discretionary Drops Due (FDD) | - | Oct 2 | Jan 15 | April 16 |
| Last day to register for IL/LC or ABE/GED | July 14 | Oct 1 | Jan 12 | April 13 |
| Last day for 100% refund for official drop from courses without 'W' on record (Census date) | July 16 | Oct. 8 | Jan 21 | April 22 |
| Midterm Week | - | Oct. 19 - Oct. 23 | Feb 1-5 | May 3-7 |
| Midterm Grading in JICS | - | Oct. 12- 26 | Jan 25-Feb 8 | April 26-May 10 |
| Last day for official withdrawal (No refund after census date) | - | Nov. 13 | Feb 25 | May 27 |
| Final Grading in JICS | Aug 14- Aug 31 | Nov 24 - Dec 8 | March 8 - 24 | June 7-22 |
| Last day of the quarter | Aug 28 | Dec 4 | March 19 | June 16 |
| Graduation Commencement Ceremony | - | - | - | June 17, 2027 |
| Incomplete Agreements Due (5pm) | Aug 31 | Dec 8 | March 23 | June 22 |
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| Holidays - College Closed | ||||
| 4th of July | July 3 | |||
| Indigenous Peoples Day | Oct 12 | |||
| Veterans Day | Nov 11 | |||
| Thanksgiving Holiday | Nov 25 @ Noon | |||
| Thanksgiving Holiday | Nov 26 | |||
| Thanksgiving Holiday | Nov 27 | |||
| Martin Luther King Day | Jan 18 | |||
| Treaty Day Recognized | Jan 22 | |||
| Presidents' Day | Feb 15 | |||
| Billy Frank Jr Day | March 9 | |||
| Memorial Day | May 31 | |||
| Juneteenth | June 18 |
Graduation & Commencement
NWIC Graduation and Honors
NWIC GRADUATION
Graduation is the official awarding of degrees earned while Commencement is the event which celebrates the completion of degree programs.
Students must complete an application for graduation no later than the first three weeks of the quarter before the student plans to graduate. Degrees are not automatically granted upon completion of requirements. The application must be completed through JICs. A $10 fee applies.
NWIC HONORS
President’s List
Students completing 12 or more credits with a GPA of 4.00 will be included on the quarterly President’s List.
Dean’s List
Students completing 12 or more credits with a GPA of 3.50 or higher, will be included on the quarterly Dean’s List.
NWIC Commencement
2026 Commencement Ceremony
Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 1 pm in the NWIC Health & Wellness Center
The Commencement Committee would like to welcome NWIC graduates, families, staff and faculty to the 2026 Commencement. Event details will be posted here as they become available.
Questions
Email: GraduationCommittee@nwic.edu
Financial Aid
Northwest Indian College administers a broad range of financial aid, scholarships, and work-study programs for students who can demonstrate financial need.
Student Life
NWIC students are encouraged to engage and integrate into the life of the institution. Students are offered opportunities to participate in enrichment activities through Student Affairs, student government, and residence life.
NWIC Extended Campus Locations
Northwest Indian College’s main campus is located at the Lummi Nation. The College also has five full service extended campus sites located at Muckleshoot, Nez Perce, Nisqually, Port Gamble S’Klallam and Tulalip. Please use the location links to view details for each extended campus site.
