Active duty service members, veterans, and spouses and dependents can establish residency for tuition benefits in a variety of ways.

Active Duty.  Residency for active duty service members includes those who:

• are stationed in Washington;
• live in Washington and are stationed in an Oregon county that borders Washington;
• stationed out-of-state, but entered service as a Washington resident and maintained their Washington domicile;
• Washington National Guard members; or
• military members on terminal leave from the uniformed services who are eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance benefits, had any period of honorable service, and had at least 90 days of active duty service.

Veterans.  Residency for veterans includes those who:

• live in Washington and are actively using the GI bill or other qualifying educational benefit to pay for at least one course;
• are eligible for VA education assistance benefits and enter school within three years of separation from the military;
• are entitled to Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits; or
• were discharged from the uniformed services due to sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Dependents.  Residency for military dependents—spouses, former spouses, and children—includes:

• dependents of active duty members stationed in Washington or dependents of Washington National Guard members;
• dependents of active duty members stationed out-of-state who entered service as a Washington resident and maintained their Washington domicile;
• those who are entitled to transfer post-9/11 GI bill benefits based on their relationship to someone on active duty;
• veteran dependents who live in Washington and are using post-9/11 GI bill benefits;
• dependents who are entitled to VA educational assistance benefits based on their relationship to a veteran;
• dependents who are entitled to VA educational assistance benefits based on their relationship to a deceased member of the uniformed services who died in the line of duty;
• dependents of a veteran who separated from the uniformed services with at least ten years of honorable service; or
• people who live in Washington and are dependents of active duty members who live in Washington and are stationed in an Oregon county that borders Washington.

U.S. Code, Title 10, Chapter 1606.  This educational benefit is for current members of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard and Air National Guard who signed a six-year obligation to serve after June 30, 1985, or, if an officer, six years in addition to the original obligation. 

Residency for active duty service members, including National Guard and reservists is modified in the following ways:

• active duty service members, including National Guard and reservists no longer have to be stationed in Washington to be considered a resident student; and
• active duty, reservist, or National Guard members who are eligible from educational benefits under Title 38 U.S.C. or Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1606 are considered resident students.

Residency for veteran students is modified in the following ways:

• veterans who are eligible for educational or rehabilitation benefits under Title 38 U.S.C. or Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1606 are considered resident students; and
• veterans who separated or retired from the uniformed services with at least ten years of honorable service and enter an institution within three years of the service member's separation or retirement.

Residency for dependent students is modified in the following ways:

• expands qualified individuals to include spouses, state-registered domestic partners, and dependents of military members including National Guard and reservists; 
• any dependent eligible for benefits under Title 38 U.S.C. or Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1606 are considered resident students; and
• defines child to include a legitimate child, adopted child, stepchild, foster child, or legal dependent.

Residency for students applying under subsection (2)(e) is modified to require that student have lived in Washington for a period of one year prior to enrollment in higher education primarily for reasons other than educational.

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.  PRO: This is legislation that supports the military families across Washington state. I've been a part of a military family for much of my life and I know how much legislation like this can help. This will allow service members and their families to access affordable education to help them access well paying jobs. In addition, this legislation is written to anticipate future federal changes eliminating the need to make changes every single year. They fulfill their due diligence to report where they are assigned to, lets do our due diligence to serve them. What we've learned is there are unique financial pressures that military families face including the high cost of housing. We see this below as one way to eliminate some of the challenges military families face while also opening doors. We want Washington's higher education institutions to be the best choice for military families. While military service members are brought to this state for their service, lets work harder to make this their home.

PRO:  This bill is aimed at providing access to those who have earned our support for their service.  As you work to increase equity, enactment of these changes is important.  Please pass the original bill.  A provision was added to this bill which may reduce access for undocumented students.  Improving access for military families is important.  The language that was added to the substitute may reduce access for undocumented students.  Our coalition is working to resolve this issue.