As a veteran, you may be eligible for residency based on the eligibility of benefits, or the reason for your discharge. 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 veteran, 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.

Veterans 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 VA education benefits such as:
    • 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.

Veterans who are actively using VA education benefits under Chapter 30, 31, or 33

Veterans who live in Washington must be charged resident tuition and fees, regardless of domicile or how long they have lived in Washington if they are actively using VA education benefits under Chapter 30, 31, or 33 to pay for at least one course under Public Law 116-315 Sec. 1005. Eligible students continue to receive resident tuition and fees for future courses as long as they are continuously enrolled at the same institution.

Requirements

  • Student must be actively using VA education benefits
  • Must live in Washington State
  • The VA benefits must be one of the following:
    • Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty
    • Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
    • Post-9/11 GI Bill®
    • Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Fry Scholarship
    • Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
  • Must have had 90 days of service in the active military, naval, or air service
  • Student must be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
  • There is no time limit under which the eligible student must enroll after separating from the military

Procedure

Eligible students are automatically granted resident tuition once the Veterans Education Benefits Office has the Enrollment Certification Request on file to request the use of benefits. There is nothing you as a student need to do to be granted resident tuition. If you have any questions, please contact the Veterans Education Benefits Office.

Veterans who separated from the uniformed services with at least ten years of honorable service

Veteran who separated from the uniformed services* with at least ten years of honorable service are eligible for residency under RCW 28B.15.01 2(2)(l).The veteran must enter school within three years of the veteran’s separation/retirement from the military (separation does not have to be from active duty). Eligible students continue to be classified as residents as long as they are continuously enrolled at the same institution.

Requirements

  • Must be a veteran with at least ten years of honorable service
  • The veteran must enter school within three years of the veteran’s separation from the military (separation does not have to be from active duty)
  • The veteran does not need to live in Washington
  • The veteran must have had at least 90 days of active duty service
  • Maintains resident student status as long as they stay continuously enrolled
  • Does not apply to veterans who have a dishonorable discharge from the uniformed services*

Procedure

  1. Complete the Residency Form
  2. Provide required supporting documentation such as a copy of DD-214, member copy 4

Veterans who were discharged due to sexual orientation or gender identity/expression

Veterans who were discharged due to sexual orientation or gender identity/expression are eligible for residency under RCW 28B.15.012(2)(n). Eligible students continue to be classified as residents as long as they are continuously enrolled at the same institution.

Requirements

  • Must be discharged due to sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
  • Eligible students do not need to live in Washington.
  • There is no time limit under which the eligible student must enroll after separating from the military.
  • Must be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable unless the student is receiving VA education benefits.

Procedure

  1. Complete the Residency Form
  2. Provide required supporting documentation such as a copy of your DD-214, member copy 4
*Uniformed services include Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps.