Veterans education benefits

Residency for Current Service Members

As a service member, you may be eligible for residency based on the eligibility of benefits, active duty status, or WA National Guard status. These different ways are explained below. Eligible students continue to be classified as residents as long as they are continuously enrolled at the same institution, as such there is no need to resubmit the form every quarter. 

If you are granted residency as a service member, you are not eligible for certain state need-based financial aid programs such as Washington College Grant or College Bound. To establish residency in a way that makes you eligible for state need-based aid programs, please refer to the Residency Classification Office for residency requirements.

If you are not enrolled at the Seattle campus, please visit the UW Tacoma Residency Office or the UW Bothell Residency Office websites for more information.

Service members who are eligible for VA education benefits

Current or former service members who are eligible for VA education benefits are eligible for residency under RCW 28B.15.012(2)(k). The student does not need to live in Washington. The student does not need to be actively using educational benefits to qualify. Eligible students continue to be classified as residents as long as they are continuously enrolled at the same institution.

Requirements

  • Service member must be eligible for:
    • Post-9/11 GI Bill® – Chapter 33
    • Montgomery GI Bill® – Chapter 30
    • Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserves – Chapter 1606
    • VR&E Benefits – Chapter 31
    • Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
  • The service member does not need to live in Washington
  • The service member does not need to be actively using educational benefits to qualify

Procedure

  1. Complete the Residency Form
  2. Provide required supporting documentation such as a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

Note: If you are using your VA education benefits, your residency status will be automatically updated once your enrollment has been certified with the VA by Veterans Education Benefits Office as you submit the Enrollment Certification Request.

Active duty stationed in Washington

If you are currently stationed in Washington State, on active duty, in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard you are eligible for residency under RCW 28B.15.012(2)(g).

Procedure

  1. Complete the Residency Form
  2. Provide required supporting documentation such as a copy of the active duty member’s orders to be stationed in Washington

Washington National Guard

If you are a member of the Washington National Guard, you are eligible for residency under RCW 28B.15.012(2)(g).

Procedure

  1. Complete the Residency Form
  2. Provide supporting documentation such as a copy of the student’s military ID and a copy of the member’s statement of service or orders showing the date of assignment to Washington State

Active duty stationed in Oregon county bordering Washington

If you are currently living in Washington State, and you are stationed on active duty in an Oregon county that borders Washington, you are eligible for residency under RCW 28B.15.012(2)(r).

Procedure

  1. Complete the Residency Form
  2. Provide required supporting documentation such as a copy of the active duty member’s orders to be stationed in Oregon, and copy of documentation showing your Washington domicile