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Veterans
Tuition Waiver Eligibility for Veterans
You may qualify for a tuition waiver of up to 50% of the in-state rate if you meet the following criteria:
- You are a Washington resident.
- You have served as an active or reserve member of the U.S. military or naval forces, or as a National Guard member called to active duty.
- Your service was in a war or conflict on foreign soil or in international waters, or in support of those serving in such areas.
- You must have received an honorable discharge.
Conditions for Undergraduate Students
- The waiver is available only for undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.
- You can earn a maximum of 250 college-level credits, including any transferred from other institutions.
- Waivers are not available for students in fee-based courses or programs.
- For more details, refer to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Section 478-160-163.
Conditions for Graduate or Professional Students
- The waiver is for graduate or professional students pursuing their first graduate/professional degree at the University of Washington.
- If you have previously received a veteran’s tuition waiver or reduction at UW, you are not eligible.
- Graduate students must enroll in at least 10 credits to qualify, while professional students need at least 12 credits.
- Waivers are not available for fee-based courses or programs.
- For more details, refer to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Section 478-160-163.
How to Apply for a Tuition Waiver
To apply, please provide the following:
- A completed Undergraduate Tuition Waiver application or Graduate Tuition Waiver application via Docsign.
- A copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy #4 or Service Number 2) or other documentation showing your qualifying service.
- Proof of your Washington residency for tuition purposes at UW, and you must sign the Certificate of Washington Domicile Form via Docsign.
The VMRC uses DocuSign for managing applications. Please email us from your UW email account, and we will send you the link to the waiver forms.
Important Note: If you use the Tuition Waiver for undergraduate studies, it cannot be used again for graduate or professional studies at UW.
Dependents
Child or Spouse of Deceased, Disabled, MIA or POW Veteran
Tuition Waiver Eligibility for Children and Spouses of Veterans
You may qualify for a tuition and fee waiver if your parent or spouse is an eligible veteran or National Guard member who:
- Became totally disabled (determined to be 100% disabled by the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs).
- Lost their life while serving in active federal military or naval service.
- Is recognized by the federal government as a prisoner of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA).
Conditions
- The waiver is available only to undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
- You can earn a maximum of 250 credits using the waiver.
- To be eligible, you must be a Washington resident between the ages of 17 and 26.
- A child’s marital status does not affect eligibility.
- A surviving spouse must also be a Washington resident and has 10 years from the date of the veteran's death, total disability, or POW/MIA status to apply for the waiver.
- If a surviving spouse remarries, they become ineligible for the waiver.
- Some fee-based courses/programs may qualify; please check with the Veteran and Military Resource Center for more details.
How to Apply
To apply for the tuition waiver, please provide the following:
- A completed Tuition Reduction for Child or Spouse application via Docsign.
- A copy of your parent’s or spouse’s DD-214 (Member Copy #4 or Service Number 2) or other documentation showing their qualifying service.
- Documentation from the VA or DOD confirming that your parent or spouse is 100% disabled, deceased, POW, or MIA, or your Chapter 35 Certificate of Eligibility Letter.
- A copy of your birth certificate or marriage certificate that shows your relationship to the eligible veteran.
- You must be classified as a Washington resident for tuition purposes at UW and sign the Certification of Washington Domicile via Docsign.
- The sponsoring veteran (parent or spouse) must also complete and sign their own Washington Domicile Certification via Docsign.
The VMRC uses DocuSign for managing applications. Please email us from your UW email account, and we will send you the link to the waiver forms.
*The amount waived each quarter may be reduced if you have other funds that must be applied to tuition and fees.
**An eligible veteran is one 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 another location in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, and if discharged from service, has received an honorable discharge.
