ORCA Cards

ORCA cards, the regional transit pass, are available to most students at Shoreline College.

Program starts September 23rd 

For one year (Fall 2026 through Spring 2027), Shoreline College in partnership with King County Metro and Washington Department of Transportation, is offering all credit and Transitional Studies students (see eligibility below) a fully subsidized ORCA card, at no cost to students. 

ORCA cards, the regional transit pass, are available to most students at Shoreline College. An ORCA card is the equivalent of having cash that can be used on all Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, and Washington State Ferries. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

In order to qualify for the subsidized ORCA card, students must meet one of the following requirements: 

1). Must be enrolled in one or more credit classes at Shoreline College (including online courses) OR 

2). Must be a student enrolled in ELL, ABE, CECO, pre-college/college-readiness programs, career/workforce training, vocational programs, apprenticeship, or other programs/classes that are working towards a degree or certificate. 

Students 18 and younger: 

Students who are 18 years of age or younger can get 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. 

Students who are not eligible: 

1). Continuing education students, even those in a vocational program. 

2). F1 and F2, J1, M1 visa holders due to federal compliance laws.  

Note: International students are eligible for a partially subsidized ORCA Card sponsored by student Sustainable Commuter Options Fee (SCOF) funds. More information is available here. 

Covered Transit Services: 

The ORCA subsidized card will cover the following transportation services at no cost: 

The Shoreline College ORCA Card is not valid for fare payment on transportation services not listed above and students are responsible for paying any additional fares required for services not covered, or not fully covered, by the assigned ORCA Card. If a student accidentally uses a non-college issued ORCA card for transportation on the listed services, no refund or credit will be issued to cover the ride. 

Picking up your card 

Students that meet the eligibility requirements can pick up their ORCA card at either the Cashier office (Second Floor of 5000 Building) or Benefits Hub (First Floor of 9000 Building) with a valid ID. Online students will need to pick up their cards in person with ID. ORCA cards will not be mailed. Cards can be picked up starting September 23rd.  

ORCA cards will be valid from the first day of the quarter and through the break period. 

For lost cards, students will need to complete the Lost ORCA Card form. Please allow five business days for the lost card to be turned off and an email notification to be sent notifying you that your new card is ready for pick up. 

Lost ORCA Cards 

Students who lose their ORCA cards will need to first report their missing card using the Lost ORCA Card Form prior to getting a new one. Students seeking a replacement card need to pick it up in-person with an ID card 

A note about the ORCA program 

This program is funded by budget proviso ESSB 6005 and will be available for Shoreline College students from Fall 2026 to Spring 2027. The proviso’s objective was to establish an affordable/subsidized transit pass for students enrolled in degree or certificate seeking programs at local community and technical colleges. This is an excellent opportunity for the College, and we’re excited to be able to offer this to our students for the time being. 

Frequently asked questions 

Yes, the Shoreline issued ORCA card can be used for transportation other than commuting to and from school. 

There is no dollar limit, or trip limit to how much you can use the card.

No, eligible students may pick up ONE card. Lost cards will be reissued; however, we expect students to keep the same card for the year. When the program ends, students can shift to a partially subsidized card program offered with support from the student SCOF fee.

No, the College issued card is strictly for students currently enrolled.  

No, the card is specifically programmed for Shoreline College credit students who are currently enrolled in classes. When students are no longer enrolled, the cards will be turned off.

Yes, you may still pick up a fully subsidized College issued card even if you’re also signed up for the LIFT program.  

ORCA cards can be picked up beginning the first day of the quarter.  

No, those who are under 19 can use the Youth ORCA card program and enjoy the same benefits of the Shoreline ORCA subsidy card. If you are under 19 years of age, visit the myorca website for more details. 

Is this program available annually? 

  • The Washington State legislature provided one-time funding for King and Kitsap Counties to implement an affordable community and technical college transit pass pilot program for selected colleges through June 2027. The pilot seeks to improve access to education and opportunity by reducing transportation costs and increasing transit accessibility for students. 

The price of the prepaid cards are subsidized through a program funded by a student fee called the Sustainable Commuting Options Fee (SCOF). The program is intended by student government to help make the program easy to use and available to most students possible.

ORCA cards

ORCA Fall Quarter Sale

  • Orca Cards are on sale from Sept 21 through November 18, 2026
  • Cashier’s Office windows, second floor of the 5000 Building (FOSS)
  • Bring payment, photo ID, and proof of registration 

Shoreline's ORCA card program is simple:

  • For $100, a registered student can buy a $200 ORCA ePurse card.
  • The student receives an ORCA card that is immediately usable for as long as there is still money on it.
  • The $100 difference is covered by a subsidy funded by the SCOF fee.

An ORCA card is the equivalent of having cash that can be used on all Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries.

Buyers are encouraged to go online at www.orcacard.com and register the card. The SCOF fee subsidizes the initial cost, but once it is purchased, the card is a relationship between the student and the ORCA program, which is administered by King County Metro.

The college cannot refund or replace lost cards. Registering the card allows the owner to use the ORCA-process to get a replacement card.

SCOF-subsidized ORCA ePurse cards are available for purchase three business days before the start of each quarter through the final day a "W" grade is available for that quarter. Information about those dates is available on the College Calendar.

Regardless of when it is sold, the card and any funds on it do not expire and may be used between quarters, the following quarter, and anytime the card may be used according to ORCA regulations. Students may purchase one card per quarter.

For more information about how ORCA cards work, go to www.orcacard.com

FAQ

ORCA (“One Regional Card for All”) cards are an all-access pass for public transportation in the Greater Seattle area. ORCA is accepted on Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries. ORCA has several options, including:

    • E-purse – Pay as you go with the fare due for your ride deducted from your card balance. E-purse is used like cash to pay your fare. E-purse can be used in combination with a pass.
    • Regional pass – Get a flat rate for everything as you can travel on bus, light rail or train services in the region for a calendar month. Purchase the trip value you need for unlimited rides on one or more of the participating agencies services. It can be used in combination with E-purse.
    • Agency pass – If you know you will be staying close to home, an agency pass covers multiple rides on a specific agency's transit services for a calendar month.
    • Combination – For maximum flexibility, you load your ORCA card with E-purse and the regional pass or agency pass. You'll be able to cover fares you need to pay, transfers that require additional payment or pay a companion fare.

ORCA cards through Shoreline’s SCOF-subsidized program are e-Purse cards. After your purchase, you may make adjustments online at www.orcacard.com.

All registered Shoreline students are eligible to buy a subsidized ORCA card. This may be reviewed for subsequent quarters.

The cost is $100 for a $200 ORCA card. Funds from the Sustainable Commuting Option Fee (SCOF) make up the difference, a $100 subsidy.

Shoreline SCOF-subsidized cards are available from three business days before the first day of a quarter until the last day to record a "W" (withdrawal) for a dropped class. To find those dates for upcoming quarters, see the College Calendar.

On campus at the Cashier’s Office windows, second floor of the 5000 Building (FOSS).

One per quarter per student.

Currently, ORCA cards through Shoreline’s SCOF-subsidized program are not available online. All other ORCA card services are online at www.orcacard.com.

  • Photo identification (Shoreline student ID, driver’s license, passport, etc.)
  • Proof that you have registered for classes
  • $100. Cash, check, money order and credit/debit cards are accepted.

The card is activated immediately upon purchase and can be used at any time for ORCA services. As long as there are funds on the card, you can use it.

Under a previous program, the college did run out of cards. This program anticipates making more subsidized cards available to students.

Of course, we want you to stay, but we know life sometimes gets in the way. You bought the card and it is yours. If you must leave, use it to come back to Shoreline when you’re ready.

Go to www.orcacard.com. That’s why it’s important to immediately register the card. Shoreline cannot replace lost cards.

The college cannot replace or refund lost or damaged cards. Go to www.orcacard.com. In some cases, ORCA may offer a refund, minus an administrative fee.