Brief Description: Mandating that a percentage of tuition waivers go to veterans.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Kristiansen, B. Sullivan, Cox, Sells, Woods, Rodne, Bailey, Pearson, Strow, Campbell, Serben, O'Brien, Ahern, Kretz and Murray).

House Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Education
Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education

Background:

Veterans Qualifying Under State Law

Institutions of higher education may waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for an eligible veteran or National Guard member, defined as a person who:

• has a domicile in Washington;
• was an active or reserve member of the United States military or naval forces or a

   National Guard member called to active duty;

• served in active federal service;
• served in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in another location in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters; and
• if discharged, received an honorable discharge.

Tuition waivers are also allowed for:

• a child and the spouse of an eligible veteran (or National Guard member) who became totally disabled while engaged 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; and
• a child and the surviving spouse of an eligible veteran (or National Guard member) who lost his or her life while engaged in active federal military or naval service. Upon remarriage, the surviving spouse is no longer eligible for a waiver.

The institutions may also offer waivers to a military or naval veteran who resides in Washington but who did not serve on foreign soil or in international waters or in another location in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, but no state funding support is provided for these waivers.

Tuition Waivers

Tuition waivers offered in 2003-04 totaled $86 million at the four-year institutions and $66.4 million at the community colleges.

Summary:

The Legislature intends to make tuition waivers available to all eligible admitted veterans. The institutions of higher education must engage in outreach activities to increase the number of veterans who receive tuition waivers. Institutions of higher education must revise their applications for admission to provide applicants with the opportunity to indicate whether they are veterans who need assistance. Veterans who indicate a need for assistance will be encouraged to utilize any funds available to them through the Montgomery GI Bill prior to providing them with a tuition waiver.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   98   0
Senate   44   0   (Senate amended)
House   95   0   (House concurred)

Effective: June 7, 2006