OAAP General Application with Fee Waiver

This QRG reflects future updates that will be implemented on 06/17/2026.

Purpose: This document provides a reference for completing an Online Admission Application Portal (OAAP) application with a fee waiver in ctcLink.

Audience: Prospective students and Admissions Staff

Overview

The Online Admissions Application Portal (OAAP) uses Okta authentication for secure user login and account access. Okta is the authentication tool currently used by ctcLink and provides students with a secure login experience that helps protect credentials and reduce unauthorized access to OAAP.

Students may apply to multiple colleges using the same OAAP account; however, only one OAAP account may be created per email address.

OAAP Account and Login Information

  1. If you have not yet created an OAAP account, visit the OAAP Create an Account QRG for more information.
  2. For OAAP login information, visit the Online Admissions Application Portal (OAAP) Login QRG.
  3. If you have already created an OAAP username and password, you may log in and continue your application.
    • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is not required for standard OAAP accounts.
    • Returning applicants will be required to reset their password during their first login.
  4. Returning students logging in with an existing ctcLink EMPLID must update the following directly in ctcLink before applying for admissions.:
    • Address.
    • Email.
    • Phone number.
  5. Existing ctcLink EMPLID accounts use ctcLink Okta authentication to log in to OAAP.
    • MFA is required for ctcLink Okta accounts.
  6. ➡️Sign in to the Online Admissions Application Portal (OAAP) or visit your college’s official website and select the admissions application link.

The Online Admissions Application

  1. The Start a New Application page displays.
  2. Select a College from the drop-down list.
  3. Select an Admission Type from the drop-down list.
  4. Select a Program from the drop-down list.
  5. Select a Term from the drop-down list.
  6. Select a Plan from the drop-down list.
  7. Optionally, select a Sub-Plan from the drop-down list.  Academic Sub-Plans are optional and not required to submit an Online Admissions Application successfully.
  8. Click the Apply button.
Online admissions application start page with fields for college, program, term, and degree selection, plus Apply and navigation buttons.
Expand or collapse content Personal Information Page

Overview

The Personal Information page displays after selecting the Apply button. Information entered during account creation carries forward to this page. Additional optional fields may be completed. Page order and required sections may vary by college and admit type. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*), and a progress bar at the top indicates completion status.

Location Services Prompt

  1. Before completing the Personal Information section, the Enable Location Services pop-up may display.
  2. Review the message explaining why the location is requested:
    • Verify your application matches your location.
    • Enhance security and prevent fraud.
    • Ensure accurate application processing.
  3. Select one of the following options:
    • Enable Location: Grants location access and continues the application.
    • Skip for Now: Continues the application without enabling location services.
Enable Location Services pop-up explaining location verification and security benefits with Skip for Now and Enable Location buttons.

Browser Permission Prompt

  1. A browser pop-up will appear requesting permission to access your location.
  2. Select one of the following:
    • Allow: Grants location access and continues the process.
    • Block (not recommended): Denies access and may prevent verification.
  3. Select Remember this decision if you want the browser to save your choice (Optional).
Enable Location Services pop-up requesting browser permission to allow location access during application verification.

Enable Location in System Settings (If Needed)

  1. If location settings are disabled on your device, you will be directed to your device’s Privacy & Security > Location page to enable location services.
  2. Turn Location Services to On.
  3. Enable Let apps access your location.
  4. Return to the application.
Windows Privacy & Security Location settings page showing location services turned off.
  • Links on the left side highlight when hovered over:
    • Start a New Application.
    • Instructions Guide.
    • In-Progress Applications.
    • Submitted Applications.
Admissions application page showing navigation menu and Personal Information checklist with completed status indicators.

Personal Information

  • Scroll through the Personal Information area to review/complete optional fields such as:
    • Additional Name preferences (e.g., Preferred First Name and Preferred Last Name).
    • National ID and type.
    • Sex - The Legal Definition of Sex. Please enter the legal sex as denoted on this person's birth certificate or driver's license per WAC 246-490-075 or WAC 308-104-0150.

Phone and Email Information

  1. The Phone and Email Information sections display below.  None of these are required fields.
  2. Complete the Phone section according to your preferences. If you need to add additional phone numbers, select the +Add New button on the right side to create another row.
  3. The Email section is auto-populated with the information previously submitted.  If there are additional emails to enter, select the +Add New button.
  4. Upon completion of these sections, scroll down to the Address section.
1.Phone and Email Information section

Address Information

  1. The Address Information section contains a combination of drop-down menus and fill-in fields. Most of these are required fields.
  2. Select applicable values from the Address Type, Country, and State drop-down fields.
  3. Complete the City, Address Lines, and Postal Code fields.
  4. The County field is optional.
  5. If additional addresses are to be added, select the +Add New button to create a new row.
  6. Once you've completed the Address Information section, review the message below for next steps. Click the "Next" button to save your information and move to the next section. A green checkmark will appear to the right of the section name in the left menu for all completed sections. You can also progress through the application by selecting the section link in the list on the left. The section will be selectable only if it appears after the currently active section. Once all required sections have been completed, the application can be submitted.
    • Select the Next button.
    • Select the Save for Later.
    • Exit without saving.
  7. Select the Next button to continue.
Address fields
Expand or collapse content High School Information
  1. The High School Information page displays.
  2. Follow the instructions on the screen to search and add High School information.
    • Required items are indicated by an asterisk (*).
    • Click "Search School/College" to search for your school (High School is required).
    • If you can't find your school, click the 'Add School/College' checkbox and enter the school details.
    • All dates are required in MM/DD/YYYY format. If you don't know the exact day, something close is fine.
  3. When you select the Search High School field, the system displays a School/College Search dialog box.
  4. Input specific filtering information for each field to refine the results. If your school is not on the list, select the "X" in the top-right corner of the page to return and enter the information manually.💡Tip: Enter the City first, then filter by State.
  5. Select the applicable high school. The information will then populate the screen.
  6. If you can't find your high school, please check the Add School/College box to manually enter your high school information.
  7. Complete the required question: "What will be the highest level of completion when you begin college?" before proceeding to the College section.
  8. For those who have previously attended college, scroll down and add the information using the same process as for high school.
  9. When the School/College sections are completed, scroll down and select the Next button to continue.
High School Information page
Expand or collapse content Ethnicity Details
  1. The Ethnicity page displays. It is optional but available for all admit types.
  2. For question #1, answer: Are you Hispanic or Latino?
  3. For question #2, choose the option(s) that apply: What is your race? Select one or more.
  4. Once you select a checkbox, another drop-down field may display, offering further selections.
  5. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and select the Next button to continue.
Ethnicity page
Expand or collapse content Upload Documents
  1. The Upload Documents page displays.  This page is optional and is used to upload a variety of documents, such as:
    • Transcripts.
    • Test Scores.
    • Work Experience.
  2. Review the instructions on this page.
  3. Select the Upload Document Type from the drop-down menu.
  4. Select the Upload File button, then follow the instructions to locate and upload the document.
  5. Enter a Description.
  6. Select the plus [+] icon on the right to add a new row for each document to be uploaded.  
  7. If you need to remove an uploaded document, select the trash can icon to the right of the [+] sign.
  8. Select the Next button to continue.
Upload Documents optional page
Expand or collapse content Residency

Steps to Fill Out Residency Questions for the Washington State Higher Education Residency Affidavit

  1. The Residency Information page will be seen only on the General application. Answers to questions will determine the Residency status of the student.  
  2. All questions on this page require a response.  

Step 1: Confirm your educational background

Determine if you earned a high school diploma, GED, or an equivalent credential before your first term at the college that will determine your residency.

  • If yes, continue to Step 2.
  • If no, you do not meet the requirements for this affidavit at this time.

Step 2: Verify your Washington state residency timeline

Confirm that you have maintained a primary residence in Washington state for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before your first term at the college determining residency.

  • If yes, continue to Step 3.
  • If no, you may not be eligible under this affidavit and should explore other options for establishing residency.

Step 3: Identify the purpose of your Washington residence

Your residence in Washington must have been for purposes other than attending college.

  • If you took college courses during the 12-month period, ensure that you did not take more than six credits in any given term.
  • If you exceeded that limit, you must provide documentation proving your residence in Washington was for non-college reasons.

Step 4: Choose your residency status declaration

You must promise that one of the following is true:

  • You will apply to become a U.S. permanent resident as soon as you are eligible and participate in activities to prepare for citizenship, such as taking citizenship or civics review courses. You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.

 or

  • You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.

Step 5: Make your selection

Based on your responses to the steps above, select one of the following:

  • Yes – I certify that by the official start date of my first term at the college determining residency, I will have met the eligibility requirements listed above.
  • No – I will not meet the eligibility requirements by the official start date of my first term. I want to learn other ways to qualify for in-state tuition and state financial aid.
Expand or collapse content If you Select "Yes"
  1. If you select Yes, click Next to advance to the Supplemental Questions page and continue your application.
Residency page
Expand or collapse content If you select "No"

If you select No, you will be asked to confirm your citizenship or immigration status using the information provided in your personal information section. Be sure to select one of the listed options to proceed. Based on your selection, additional questions will appear. Once you've answered them, click "Next" to proceed to the Supplemental Questions page and continue your application.

No option
Expand or collapse content Supplemental Questions
  1. The Supplemental Questions page includes additional required questions that must be completed before continuing.
  2. Select the Next button to continue.
Supplemental Questions
Expand or collapse content Review and Submit
  1. The Review and Submit page is displayed. This page certifies that all answers are correct to the best of your knowledge and that if you take courses not covered by Running Start, you must provide residency information or risk being charged non-resident tuition rates.
  2. Review the instructions and select the Yes, I accept checkbox.  
  3. Click the Submit Now or Save for Later button.
    • If you cannot complete the application, you can use the Save for Later button on any applicable pages to return to complete later.
      • Select the In-Progress Applications link.
      • Select the Resume button to continue the application.
  4. If you receive an error message as displayed below, it will highlight the incomplete area.
  5. Select the OK button.
  6. Select the Next button to save the updated page.
  7. Select the Review and Submit link, then select the Yes, I accept checkbox again.
  8. If all areas are complete, the Submit Now button will display. Click the button.
  9. If no waiver is applied, there should be a message confirming that the application was successfully submitted.
Admissions application Review and Submit page displaying a warning dialog prompting the user to fill required mandatory fields.
Expand or collapse content Waiver Code
  1. The Payment Details window displays.
  2. Enter your Waiver Code.
  3. Select the Apply button.
Payment Details box
  1. The waiver is applied to the Amount to be Paid.
  2. Select the Proceed button.
  3. A status window displays.
  4. Select the OK button.
Waiver Applied
  1. A confirmation message appears: "Your application has been submitted successfully."
Confirmation of submission message
  1. Process complete.

Please contact your college if you require immediate assistance with ctcLink. Check out the contact information and highlights for each community and technical college.