Whatcom Community College has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to act as our agent for verifications of student enrollment and degrees earned. Their website makes it possible for students and companies to obtain instantaneous verification of information. This service is available 24/7 and a small fee applies. Whatcom Community College assumes no responsibility for fees charged. Users have the option of paying by Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

Students and companies requesting enrollment verifications should contact the Clearinghouse:

• By telephone: 703.742.4200 from 8:30a.m. - 5:15p.m. EST
• By fax: 703.742.4239
• By email: enrollmentverify@studentclearinghouse.org
• Via the web: www.studentclearinghouse.org
• By mail: 13454 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 300, Herndon, VA 20171

For further information regarding WCC's policies on student records, contact Entry & Enrollment Services at 360.383.3030.

Common Enrollment Verification Requestors

• Creditors
• Travel Companies
• Housing Provider
• Scholarship Providers
• Consumer Product Companies

Requests by Insurance Companies

Please note that the Clearinghouse is generally unable to process verification forms from insurance companies at this time. Therefore, please do not send health, automobile, good-driver discount, or other insurance forms to the Clearinghouse. Most insurance forms do not provide the Clearinghouse with sufficient information to positively identify the student, and many request information that WCC does not currently provide to the Clearinghouse (e.g., grade point average).

The Clearinghouse is currently working with the insurance industry to proactively reduce verification requests submitted to participating schools. Several insurance companies already obtain enrollment verifications directly from the Clearinghouse.

Requests by Employers

Most employers and background screening firms contact colleges in order to verify that an applicant has obtained a degree. This service is available through the Clearinghouse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Clearinghouse is able to provide employers and background screening firms with verification of enrollment for current students, as well as for former students who did not obtain a degree.

What happens when the Clearinghouse is unable to fulfill requests?

Situations exist in which the Clearinghouse will not be able to verify student enrollments. Reasons may include:

• The Clearinghouse is unable to identify the requested record.
• The student has elected to block release of "directory information" under FERPA.
• The company requests information that WCC has not designated as "directory information" under FERPA.
• The company requests verification of information that WCC does not provide to the Clearinghouse.
• The person to be verified does not have a student record at WCC.

Verifications by Whatcom Community College

In cases where the Clearinghouse is unable to provide verification of enrollment or degrees earned, a request can be made to Records & Registration by emailing records@whatcom.edu. Verification requests will not be processed without student consent. Be sure to provide a consent form signed by the student. 

Students can request enrollment verifications at no cost by submitting an Enrollment Verification Request to records@whatcom.edu or in-person at Orca Central in the Heiner building. Please allow 3-5 business days for processing. If requesting to pick up the verification in-person, please bring photo ID for verification of identity.

Students may complete this Authorization for Release of Student Information Form when:

- Students wish to allow certain people or organizations access to their records or;

- Students wish to prevent disclosure of their records to any person or organization.

Submit completed forms, along with a copy of your photo ID, to Entry & Enrollment Services at records@whatcom.edu or in person in Orca Central in the Heiner building! Call 360-383-3030 for questions.