Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP)

The Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) is a Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) training initiative that allows unemployed workers to continue receiving Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits while developing their own businesses. This program empowers participants to create new businesses and job opportunities through self-employment.

If you have received a SEAP eligibility letter from ESD, you may qualify to participate in SEAP at Shoreline Community College.

Shoreline Community College: A SEAP Approved Training Provider

Shoreline Community College is an Approved Training Provider for SEAP. Our Entrepreneurship Certificate Program meets the training requirements for SEAP and provides students with the foundational skills needed to start and manage a successful business.

For details on the Entrepreneurship Certificate curriculum, courses, and program contacts, please visit the Entrepreneurship Program website.

For information about SEAP eligibility, approved training programs, application requirements, and FAQs, visit the Washington State ESD SEAP website.

Program Costs & Financial Assistance

While SEAP allows participants to continue receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits, it does not cover the costs of the Approved Training Program. However, financial assistance for the Entrepreneurship Certificate may be available through Shoreline’s Worker Retraining Program.

To determine if you qualify for Worker Retraining funding, you must meet specific eligibility criteria. For next steps, please review the SEAP Eligibility Checklist and visit the Worker Retraining Program website.

Application Process

  1. Complete and submit the online Workforce Education Funding Application.
  2. Submit the completed SEAP application to the Worker Retraining Specialist for provider signature. Email the completed application to the Workforce Education office at fdiro@shoreline.edu or call (206) 546-6957. The Worker Retraining Specialist will review and sign the Program Provider Certification, and your signed application will be returned via email.

SEAP General Questions

The SEAP application must be signed by the program provider, and at Shoreline, that is the Worker Retraining Specialist. The partnership between SEAP and Worker Retraining exists because Worker Retraining can provide funding for the Entrepreneurship Program.

No, the Worker Retraining Specialist does not teach the courses. For specific questions regarding coursework, please contact the Entrepreneurship Program.

If you have questions about your UI benefits, please visit Washington State ESD: http://www.esd.wa.gov.

This information is available on the ESD SEAP website: https://esd.wa.gov; additional details can be found on the ESD SEAP FAQ page.

Make sure to review the ESD SEAP website for information including SEAP FAQs. For additional questions, please attend the SEAP orientation or call the Training Benefits/SEAP Unit toll-free at 877-600-7701.

See the Entrepreneurship Program website for more program details, including contact information.

Business Consulting and Technical Assistance

At Shoreline Community College, we are committed to supporting our students in their entrepreneurial journey through personalized business consulting and technical assistance.

Business Consulting

Students enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Certificate Program have access to expert business consulting services provided by the course instructor, who brings industry expertise and real-world experience. Additionally, Shoreline Community College is home to an onsite Small Business Development Center (SBDC), where students can receive one-on-one guidance on launching and managing their businesses.

For personalized business support, students can drop in or schedule an appointment with Jennifer Shelton, a dedicated small business development representative at the SBDC. She can be reached at jennifer.shelton@wsbdc.org.

Technical Assistance

Shoreline Community College also offers comprehensive technical support services to ensure students have the tools they need for success. Our technology support team provides assistance with:

  • Computer and laptop troubleshooting
  • Accessing eLearning platforms
  • Using campus computer labs
  • Setting up free Microsoft 365 accounts

Students can contact our technology support team via email or visit our campus offices for in-person assistance.