Starting September 28, most Highline College students can receive a free ORCA card, allowing them unlimited access to a variety of transportation options including Link light rail and Sounders trains, Metro buses, Metro Access, King County Water Taxi, and more.
This no-cost ORCA card is available to most students across a variety of educational and training programs, including students enrolled in one or more credit classes (including online classes) as well as those enrolled in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), pre-college/college-readiness programs, career/workforce training, vocational programs, or other programs that are working towards a degree or certificate.
The program runs through June 30, 2027. Students may need to confirm eligibility for their card at the beginning of each quarter. Additional details will be communicated directly to students at a later date.
Eligible students can pick up their ORCA card at the Public Safety Office on the first floor of Building 6 or at the Helpdesk in Building 30. Students will need to provide a valid identification card and will be asked to read and sign the Cardholder Rules of Use Agreement before receiving their ORCA card.
Students 18 years old and younger can receive a card but should register their card as a Free Youth ORCA Card. If the student already has a Free Youth ORCA Card they are not eligible for another card.
Currently, Continuing Education, F-1, F-2, J1, M1 visa holders, and International Student Programs (ISP) students are not eligible. ISP students are encouraged to speak with their advisors about alternate ORCA card incentive programs.
This benefit is thanks to a new Washington State-funded transit pilot program for King and Kitsap Counties designed to reduce transportation barriers for community and technical college students. Highline is one of the four community and technical colleges participating in the program, alongside Olympic College, Shoreline Community College and Renton Technical College.
"For many of our students, simply getting to campus can be a logistical and financial hurdle to pursuing higher education. This new subsidized ORCA card program helps lower that hurdle and allows students to focus on their studies, which brings them one step closer to earning their credentials or degrees," said Jamilyn Penn, Highline College Interim President. "We are proud to partner with King County Metro in creating greater access to education, career opportunities, and investing in our students' futures."
With the opening of the 1 Line Federal Way Link Extension in December 2025, transportation to and from Highline College has become more accessible for students. The Kent Des Moines Station, located directly across from campus, provides convenient access to the light rail, while multiple King County Metro bus stops surrounding the campus offer additional transit options.