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Registrar

Current/Former Military Personnel and Families

Students applying for residency using the military forms referenced below may be eligible to pay resident tuition and fees, however, these students are not eligible for state need-based financial aid.

Approval to pay resident tuition via a uniformed services exemption does not grant residency in Washington State.

Active Duty Members Stationed in Washington

To be eligible for residency, active duty military members must be currently stationed in Washington.

To apply for residency for tuition purposes as an active duty military member or as a member’s spouse/dependent, students must provide the following criteria:

  1. Complete and print the Resident Tuition for Military Personnel Form (pdf).
  2. Provide supporting documentation such as a copy of the student’s military ID and a copy of active duty military member’s orders to be stationed in Washington. See form for details.

Resident Tuition for Veterans and Eligible Individuals

In January 2021, Congress passed HR 7105. This bill requires public institutions to give resident tuition to the following:

  • Veterans using the GI Bill who live in Washington.
  • Veteran dependents (spouse and children) using the Post 9/11 GI Bill who live in Washington.

The requirement is effective for any term that begins on or after August 1, 2021. It does not apply to active duty military members.

Copy of the Revised Choice Act (2021) (pdf)

Four Primary Ways that Veterans Can Qualify for Resident Tuition and Fees

  • Student location

    • Federal law - PL 116-315 Sec. 1005 - Veteran must be actively using Chapter 30, 31, or 33 VA educational benefits to pay for at least one course.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(m) - Veteran must be eligible for VA educational benefits under Title 38 U.S.C.; does not have to actively use them.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(s) - Veteran must be entitled to Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits; does not have to actively use them
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(q) - N/A

  • VA educational benefits usage

    • Federal law - PL 116-315 Sec. 1005 - Eligible any time after separation
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(m) - Eligible for 3 years after separation
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(s) - Eligible any time after separation
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(q) - Eligible any time after separation

  • Timing after separation

    • Federal law - PL 116-315 Sec. 1005 - Eligible any time after separation
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(m) - Eligible for 3 years after separation
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(s) - Eligible any time after separation
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(q) - Eligible any time after separation

  • Discharge conditions

    • Federal law - PL 116-315 Sec. 1005 - Must be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(m) - Must have separated with any period of honorable service.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(s) - Does not apply to veterans who have a dishonorable discharge, unless the student is receiving VA educational assistance benefits.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(q) - Does not apply to veterans who have a dishonorable discharge, unless the student is receiving VA educational assistance benefits.

  • State aid eligibility

    • Federal law - PL 116-315 Sec. 1005 - Veteran is not eligible for state aid
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(m) - Veteran meets residency requirements for all state aid programs except WA College Grant and College Bound Scholarship. Must also meet other state aid program requirements.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(s) - Veteran meets residency requirements for all state aid programs except WA College Grant and College Bound Scholarship. Must also meet other state aid program requirements.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(q) - Veteran meets residency requirements for all state aid programs except WA College Grant and College Bound Scholarship. Must also meet other state aid program requirements.

Four Primary Ways that Veteran Dependents Can Qualify for Resident Tuition and Fees (if they do not qualify under another part of residency law)

  • Student location

    • Federal law – PL 116- 315 Sec. 1005 - Dependent must live in WA (but could have a domicile elsewhere)
    • WA law – RCW 28B.15.012(2)(o) - Dependent does not have to live in WA or have a domicile in WA.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(r) - Dependent does not have to live in WA or have a domicile in WA.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(p) - Dependent does not have to live in WA or have a domicile in WA.

  • VA educational benefits usage

    • Federal law – PL 116- 315 Sec. 1005 - Dependent must be actively usingChapter 33 (Post9/11 GI Bill®) VA educational benefits to pay for at least one course.
    • WA law – RCW 28B.15.012(2)(o) - Dependent must be entitled to VA educational benefits under Title 38 U.S.C.; does not have to actively use them.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(r) - Dependent must be entitled to DEA or the Fry Scholarship due to the veteran dying in the line of duty; does not have to actively use them.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(p) - N/A

  • Veteran separation

    • Federal law – PL 116- 315 Sec. 1005 - Eligible any time after veteran separation
    • WA law – RCW 28B.15.012(2)(o) - Eligible for 3 years after separation
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(r) - Eligible any time after separation
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(p) - Eligible for 3 years after separation

  • Discharge Conditions

    • Federal law – PL 116- 315 Sec. 1005 - Veteran must be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
    • WA law – RCW 28B.15.012(2)(o) - Veteran must have separated with any period of honorable service.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(r) - N/A
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(p) - Veteran must have separated with at least 10 years of honorable service.

  • State aid eligibility

    • Federal law – PL 116- 315 Sec. 1005 - Dependent is not eligible for state aid
    • WA law – RCW 28B.15.012(2)(o) - Dependent meets residency requirements for all state aid programs except WA College Grant and College Bound Scholarship. Must also meet other state aid program requirements.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(r) - Dependent meets residency requirements for all state aid programs except WA College Grant and College Bound Scholarship. Must also meet other state aid program requirements.
    • WA law - RCW 28B.15.012(2)(p) - Dependent meets residency requirements for all state aid programs except WA College Grant and College Bound Scholarship. Must also meet other state aid program requirements.

Procedure

  1. Complete the Resident Tuition for Veterans Form (pdf).
  2. Provide supporting documentation such as a copy of the DD-214 and a Certificate of Eligibility. See form for details.

If eligibility is not established, contact the Veterans Center at 509-963-3028 or via email for information regarding the Non-Resident Veteran/Dependent Tuition Waiver.

Discharged Members

Discharged members who joined the military in Washington must complete the following to apply for residency:

  1. Complete and print the Residence Questionnaire Application (pdf).
  2. Submit a copy of their DD-214 showing Washington as their place of entry and date separated.
  3. Provide verification of returning to Washington State within 12 months of discharge.

Washington Members Stationed Elsewhere

To apply as members (or dependents) who are Washington State residents but who are stationed in another state or overseas, students must provide the following criteria:

  1. Complete and print the Residence Questionnaire Application (pdf).
  2. Documentation of the active duty military member’s home of record (LES (Leave and Earnings Statement)).
  3. Documentation showing that Washington legal ties have been maintained while being stationed elsewhere. At least three of the following must be provided:
    • Driver’s License
    • Voter’s Registration
    • Vehicle Registration
    • Bank Account
    • Property Ownership

Washington National Guard Members

To apply for residency for tuition purposes as a Washington National Guard member or as a member’s spouse/dependent, students must provide the following criteria:

  1. Complete and print the Resident Tuition for National Guard Form (pdf).
  2. Provide supporting documentation such as a copy of the student’s military ID and a copy of member’s orders showing date of assignment to Washington State. See form for details.

For more information see Residency FAQ and Residency, and Residency requirements.

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