Brief Description: Permitting tuition waivers for dependents of national guard members ordered to active duty to serve overseas in a war or conflict.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunter, Orcutt, Linville, Kilmer, Campbell, Kristiansen, Chase, Morrell, Dickerson, Haigh and Darneille.

Hearing Date: 2/22/05

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

The Legislature grants higher education institutions permission to reduce all or a portion of tuition for certain types of students and for various purposes. Most tuition waivers fall under the category of "state-supported" waivers, where it is assumed that state funding in the institution's budget makes up for lost tuition revenue resulting from the waiver. There is a statutory cap for each institution on the percentage of total tuition revenue that may be waived for state-supported waivers. The Legislature authorizes but does not require institutions to grant these tuition waivers.

When members of the National Guard are called into active federal service for an extended period of time, such as in support of a war or foreign conflict, their military pay may be less than the salary from their regular employment.

Summary of Bill:

Institutions of higher education are authorized to waive all or a portion of tuition for students who are dependents of members of the Washington National Guard ordered into federal active military service for more than 30 days to serve in a war or foreign conflict. The students must be residents of Washington. The tuition waivers fall under the statutory caps that limit the total amount of tuition waived at each institution. If an institution exercises its authority to grant these waivers, it must also adopt policies that provide a full or partial refund of any tuition already paid if the student becomes eligible for the waiver in the middle of a term

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.