FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1109

C 67 L 13

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Requiring institutions of higher education that offer an early course registration period to provide early registration for eligible veterans and national guard members.

Sponsors: Representatives Hansen, Haler, Magendanz, Shea, Klippert, Smith, Green, Ormsby, Morrell, Van De Wege, Ryu, Maxwell, Zeiger, Wilcox, Jinkins, Springer, Scott, Freeman, Bergquist, Hargrove and Parker.

House Committee on Higher Education

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Background:

Student Registration.

At public institutions of higher education, student course registration order may be based on the number of credits a student has been awarded by the attending institution, sometimes referred to as "class standing." Priority registration varies depending on each institutional policy, and some institutions do not offer priority registration.

Veterans in Higher Education.

During the 2011 Fall academic quarter, public baccalaureate institutions in Washington served approximately 3,500 veterans, and the community and technical colleges served nearly 18,000 veterans. Institutions of higher education provide a variety of benefits for veterans and their families pursuing higher education. State law permits that within state-supported waiver authority, institutions of higher education may waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for:

• Ÿan eligible veteran or National Guard member;

• the child or spouse of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who was totally disabled in the line of duty, or who is listed as missing in action or a prisoner of war; or

• the surviving child or spouse of an eligible veteran or National Guard member killed in the line of duty; however, upon remarriage the surviving spouse no longer is eligible for a waiver.

In addition to tuition waivers, higher education institutions provide other benefits to veterans pursing higher education. One example is the Vet Corps Navigator program funded by the federal program, AmeriCorps. The purpose of Vet Corps Navigators is to help veterans achieve their higher education goals. Vet Corps Navigators provide connections with federal, state, or local veterans benefits and financial aid programs, and help them adjust to college life.

Summary:

Beginning in the academic year 2013-14, institutions of higher education that offer an early course registration period for any segment of the student population are required to have a process in place to offer students who are eligible veterans or National Guard members early registration as follows:

• New students who are eligible veterans or National Guard members and who have completed all of their admission processes must be offered an early course registration period.

• Continuing students and returning former students who are eligible veterans or National Guard members who have met current enrollment requirements must be offered early course registration among students with the same level of class standing or credit as determined by the attending institution and according to institutional policies.

To be eligible, a veteran or National Guard member must be a Washington domiciliary who was an active or reserve member of the United States military or naval forces, or a National Guard member called to active duty, who served in active federal service, in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters, or in another location in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, and who, if discharged from service, has received an honorable discharge.

The provisions expire on August 1, 2022.

Votes on Final Passage: