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Basic Food Employment & Training Program (BFET)

The Basic Food, Employment & Training (BFET) program provides funding assistance for education, work training, and related support services at South Seattle College to eligible individuals currently receiving Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) federally-issued Basic Food Benefits (SNAP).

BFET allows students to keep their food assistance open while attending school. It may also help with funding gaps. For example, financial aid may have awarded you enough money to pay for tuition but not enough to cover textbooks and a bus pass. BFET may be able to help pay for your required textbooks and transportation – therefore filling that funding gap. 

BFET Eligible Programs

  • Associate of Arts with a subplan in one of the following:
    • Pre-Nursing
  • Associate in Business
  • Associate of Science, Tracks 1 & 2
  • Automotive Technology (includes I-BEST option)
  • Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Basic & Transitional Studies (GED Prep, HS 21+, English as a Second Language) 
  • Culinary Arts
  • Landscape Horticulture
  • Manufacturing Academy
  • Maritime Shipyard Welding 
  • Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) 
  • Welding Fabrication Technology (includes I-BEST option) 
  • Wine Studies

BFET services may include:

  • Tuition assistance
  • Required textbooks and supplies for classes
  • Transportation (such as bus pass)
  • Educational planning and advising

Do I qualify?

Student eligibility requirements to receive BFET assistance are as follows:

  • Must currently be receiving federally-issued DSHS Basic Food Assistance (SNAP).
  • Cannot be receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance from DSHS.
  • Must be enrolled in an approved college–credit professional–technical program. Transfer Degree programs are not eligible.
  • Must apply for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) within first quarter of attendance.

How to Get Started

To find out if you qualify for funding, take a brief survey at startnextquarter.org. For questions please contact the Workforce Education Office at workforcesouth@seattlecolleges.edu or (206) 934-5835. 

Note: You may be eligible for BFET if you are receiving Basic Food Assistance.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.