Tuition Waivers
WSU provides additional support in the form of full and partial tuition waivers to qualifying veterans.
Deadline for Submission: No later than the last day of instruction of the semester to which the waiver is applied. Waivers submitted after the last day of instruction of the semester will not be granted retroactively but may be applied to future semesters.
UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATIONS
Veterans Partial Tuition Waiver Application
Partial tuition waivers up to 50% are available to veterans that have exhausted their VA benefits or their benefits don’t cover 100% of tuition costs. See each waiver application for eligibility and qualifying criteria.
Eligibility: You are eligible to pay reduced tuition if you are a Washington domiciliary (RCW 28B.15.013) who was an active or reserve member of the United States military or naval forces, or a national guard member called to active duty, who served in active federal service, under either Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code, in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters or in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, and if discharged from service, has received an honorable discharge. (RCW 28B.15.621). Applicants must be degree seeking.
Qualifying Criteria: This waiver awards eligible students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. If you are a Post 9/11 GI Bill® recipient, the waiver will be applied in 10% increments, up to 50%, based on your GI Bill® eligibility (e.g. a qualified student receiving 70% of the GI Bill® would receive a 30% waiver). The waiver applies only to the cost of resident tuition and to a maximum of 18 credits per semester. You must be domiciled in the State of Washington (RCW 28B.15.013). You must have an “Honorable” discharge in order to qualify for this waiver, as noted on your form DD-214 “Certificate of Discharge”.
Procedures: Click here to complete the application. Upload a copy of your Certificate of Discharge (form DD-214 -member copy 4) or other supporting documentation showing qualifying service. Upload verification of WA domicile; such as a current driver’s license, vehicle registration, or recent utility statement, etc.
Limitations:
- Understand that by using the Veterans Partial Tuition Waiver for undergraduates that I am NOT eligible for the graduate or professional student Partial Tuition Waiver at a later date.
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during Summer Session, Winter Session or Intersession.
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during “study abroad”.
- Deadline for applying for this waiver is no later than the last day of instruction of the semester to which the waiver is to be applied. Waivers submitted after the last day of instruction of the semester will not be granted retroactively, but will be applied to future semesters.
- This waiver can fund a maximum of 150 semester credit hours.
Supporting documentation:
- DD-214 Certificate of Discharge showing an “Honorable” discharge.
- Verification of domicile such as a current driver’s license, current vehicle registration, a recent utility statement, etc.
Veteran Dependents 100% Tuition Waiver
100% tuition waivers are available for dependents of deceased or 100% disabled veterans, firefighters, or law enforcement officers. See each waiver application for eligibility and qualifying criteria.
Eligibility: You are eligible for a tuition waiver and textbook stipend if you are a Washington domiciliary (RCW 28B.15.013) and are a child, stepchild, or adopted child; or a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who lost his or her life or has been designated 100% disabled by the federal department of Veterans Affairs as a result of serving in active federal military or naval service, or who is determined by the federal government to be a prisoner of war or missing in action. The veteran must be a Washington domiciliary and have served in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, and if discharged from service, have received an honorable discharge (RCW 28B.15.621).
Qualifying Criteria: This waiver awards eligible students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. The veteran and the waiver applicant must be domiciled in the State of Washington (RCW 28B.15.013). The child or stepchild must be between the age of 17 and 26 (marital status does not affect eligibility). The surviving spouse or domestic partner has 10 years from the date of death, total disability, or federal determination of POW or MIA status to receive benefits under the waiver. Upon remarriage or the establishment of a domestic partnership, the surviving spouse or domestic partner is ineligible. If death results from total disability, the surviving spouse or domestic partner has 10 years from the date of death in which to receive benefits under the waiver.
Procedures: Click here to complete the application. You must provide proof that the veteran or National Guard member is domiciled in Washington or was domiciled in WA at the time of death or designation of KIA, POW, or MIA status. Provide member copy 4 of the veteran’s or National Guard member’s Certificate of Discharge (form DD-214). Provide proof that the veteran’s or National Guard member’s 100% disability or death was service connected or provide proof of MIA, KIA or POW status. If you are currently receiving VA education benefits attach the Department of Veterans Affairs Certificate of Eligibility. If you are not currently receiving VA education benefits submit a copy of your Birth Certificate (child) or your Marriage Certificate (spouse) or your Birth Certificate and Parent’s Marriage License (stepchild) or Adoption Paperwork (adopted child) or your Certificate of State Registered Domestic Partnership (domestic partner). Applicants must be degree seeking.
Limitations:
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during Winter Session or Intersession.
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during “study abroad”.
- The Deadline for applying for this waiver is no later than the last day of instruction of the semester to which the waiver is to be applied. Waivers submitted after the last day of instruction of the semester will not be granted retroactively, but will be applied to future semesters.
- This waiver can fund a maximum of 167 semester credit hours.
Supporting documentation:
- Sponsor’s VA disability letter (We only need to verify the rating, feel free to omit or redact the medical description)
- proof of student’s relationship to sponsor (birth certificate for children, birth certificate & marriage license for step children, marriage license for spouses)
- verification of both sponsor’s and student’s Washington residency (WA driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, recent utility statement, etc.
LEOFF 100% Tuition Waiver
Eligibility: Spouse, domestic partner or children of any law enforcement officer or fire fighter who lost his or her life or became totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by a public law enforcement agency or full time or volunteer fire department in this state. The phrase “totally disabled” means a person who is prevented from performing any occupation or gainful pursuit (RCW 28B.15.380).
Qualifying Criteria: Children must begin course of study at a state-supported institution within ten years of graduation from high school.
Procedures: Click here to complete the application. Provide a copy of your sponsor’s letter from the Washington state retirement authority indicating total disability or death. Provide a copy of your Birth Certificate (child) or your Marriage Certificate (spouse) or your State Registered Domestic Partnership (domestic partner), as applicable. Dependents please provide a copy of your high school diploma or transcript.
Limitations:
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during Summer Session, Winter Session or Intersession.
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during “study abroad”.
- Deadline for applying for this waiver is no later than the last day of instruction of the semester to which the waiver is to be applied. Waivers submitted after the last day of instruction of the semester will not be granted retroactively, but will be applied to future semesters.
- This waiver can fund a maximum of 167 semester credit hours.
Supporting documentation:
- Washington State Retirement Authority letter indicating total disability or death.
- Birth certificate (child), Marriage certificate (spouse), State Registered Domestic Partnership (domestic partner).
GRADUATE APPLICATIONS
Veterans Partial Tuition Waiver Application - Graduate Professional
Eligibility: You are eligible to pay reduced tuition if you are a Washington domiciliary (RCW 28B.15.013) who was an active or reserve member of the United States military or naval forces, or a national guard member called to active duty, who served in active federal service, under either Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code, in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters or in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, and if discharged from service, has received an honorable discharge. (RCW 28B.15.621)
Qualifying Criteria: This waiver awards eligible students pursuing their first graduate/professional degree. The value of the waiver is based on the cost of resident regular graduate tuition and not on the higher tier tuition rates charged for programs such as Nursing, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, and Medical Doctor. If you are a Post 9/11 GI Bill® participant, the waiver applies in 10% increments, up to 50%, based on your GI Bill® eligibility (e.g. a qualified student receiving 70% of the GI Bill would receive a 30% waiver). You are ineligible for this tuition waiver if you have previously received a veteran’s undergraduate tuition waiver at any institution of higher education in the State of Washington. You must have an “Honorable” discharge in order to qualify for this waiver, as noted on your form DD-214 “Certificate of Discharge”.
Procedures: Click here to complete the application. Upload a copy of your Certificate of Discharge (form DD-214 -member copy 4) or other supporting documentation showing qualifying service. Upload verification of WA domicile; such as a current driver’s license, vehicle registration, or recent utility statement. Applicants must be degree seeking.
Limitations:
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during Summer Session, Winter Session or Intersession.
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during “study abroad”.
- Certain self-sustaining graduate programs are not able to participate in this waiver. These include the Masters of Business Administration, the Executive MBA, and the Masters of Engineering and Technology Management.
- Deadline for applying for this waiver is no later than the last day of instruction of the semester to which the waiver is to be applied. Waivers submitted after the last day of instruction of the semester will not be granted retroactively, but will be applied to future semesters.
- Graduate & Professional Students: Value is based on the cost of resident regular graduate tuition and not on higher tier tuition rates for programs such as Nursing, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine and Medical.
Supporting documentation:
- DD-214 Certificate of Discharge showing an “Honorable” discharge.
- Verification of domicile such as a current driver’s license, current vehicle registration, a recent utility statement, etc.
Veteran Dependents 100% Tuition Waiver - Graduate
Eligibility: You are eligible for a tuition waiver and textbook stipend if you are a Washington domiciliary (RCW 28B.15.013) and are a child, stepchild, or adopted child; or a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who lost his or her life or has been designated 100% disabled by the federal department of Veterans Affairs as a result of serving in active federal military or naval service, or who is determined by the federal government to be a prisoner of war or missing in action. The veteran must be a Washington domiciliary and have served in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, and if discharged from service, have received an honorable discharge (RCW 28B.15.621).
Qualifying Criteria: This waiver awards eligible students pursuing their first graduate or professional degree. The value of the waiver is based on the cost of resident regular graduate tuition and not on the higher tier tuition rates charged for programs such as Nursing, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, or Medical Doctor. Applicants possessing a Master’s degree are ineligible. The veteran and the waiver applicant must be domiciled in the State of Washington (RCW 28B.15.013). The child must be between the age of 17 and 26 (marital status does not affect eligibility). The surviving spouse or domestic partner (RCW 26.60) has 10 years from the date of death, total disability, or federal determination of POW or MIA status to receive benefits under the waiver. Upon remarriage or the establishment of a domestic partnership, the surviving spouse or domestic partner is ineligible. If death results from total disability, the surviving spouse or domestic partner has 10 years from the date of death in which to receive benefits under the waiver.
Procedures: Click here to complete the application. You must provide proof that the veteran or National Guard member is domiciled in Washington or was domiciled in WA at the time of death or designation of KIA, POW, or MIA status. Provide member copy 4 of the veteran’s or National Guard member’s Certificate of Discharge (form DD-214). Provide proof that the veteran’s or National Guard member’s 100% disability or death was service connected or provide proof of MIA, KIA or POW status. If you are currently receiving VA education benefits attach the Department of Veterans Affairs Certificate of Eligibility. If you are not currently receiving VA education benefits submit a copy of your Birth Certificate (child) or your Marriage Certificate (spouse) or your Birth Certificate and Parent’s Marriage License (stepchild) or Adoption Paperwork (adopted child) or your Certificate of State Registered Domestic Partnership (domestic partner). Applicants must be degree seeking.
Limitations:
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during Winter Session or Intersession.
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during “study abroad”.
- Certain self-sustaining graduate programs are not able to participate in this waiver. These include the Masters of Business Administration, the Executive MBA, and the Masters of Engineering and Technology Management.
- The Deadline for applying for this waiver is no later than the last day of instruction of the semester to which the waiver is to be applied. Waivers submitted after the last day of instruction of the semester will not be granted retroactively, but will be applied to future semesters.
- Graduate & Professional Students: Value is based on the cost of resident regular graduate tuition and not on higher tier tuition rates for programs such as Nursing, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine and Medical.
Supporting documentation:
- Sponsor’s DD-214 (member-4 copy, showing an “honorable” discharge)
- Sponsor’s VA disability letter (We only need to verify the rating, feel free to omit or redact the medical description)
- proof of student’s relationship to sponsor (birth certificate for children, birth certificate & marriage license for step children, marriage license for spouses)
- verification of both sponsor’s and student’s Washington residency (WA driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, recent utility statement, etc.
LEOFF 100% Tuition Waiver - Graduate Professional
Eligibility: Spouse, domestic partner or children of any law enforcement officer or fire fighter who lost his or her life or became totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by a public law enforcement agency or full time/volunteer fire department in this state. The phrase “totally disabled” means a person who is prevented from preforming any occupation or gainful pursuit (RCW 28B.15.380).
Qualifying Criteria: Children must begin course of study at a state-supported institution within ten years of graduation from high school. The value of the waiver is based on the cost of resident regular graduate tuition and not on the higher tier tuition rates charged for programs such as Nursing, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, and Medical Doctor.
Procedures: Click here to complete the application. Provide a copy of your sponsor’s letter from the Washington state retirement authority indicating total disability or death. Provide a copy of your Birth Certificate (child) or your Marriage Certificate (spouse) or your State Registered Domestic Partnership (domestic partner), as applicable.
Limitations:
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during Summer Session, Winter Session or Intersession.
- This waiver cannot fund courses taken during “study abroad”.
- Certain self-sustaining graduate programs are not able to participate in this waiver. These include the Masters of Business Administration (MBA), the Executive MBA (EMBA), and the Masters of Engineering and Technology Management (METM).
- Deadline for applying for this waiver is no later than the last day of instruction of the semester to which the waiver is to be applied. Waivers submitted after the last day of instruction of the semester will not be granted retroactively, but will be applied to future semesters.
Supporting documentation:
- Washington State Retirement Authority letter indicating total disability or death.
- Birth certificate (child), Marriage certificate (spouse), State Registered Domestic Partnership (domestic partner).
“GI Bill®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.