Washington In-State Tuition: Residency Requirements

12-month domicile requirement for financially independent students or dependent students with resident parents/guardians

Available to students of all immigration statuses who meet specific high school and residency requirements

Active duty service members, veterans, and their dependents with various qualification options

Students who attended Washington high schools but whose parents moved out of state

Members of federally recognized tribes with historical connections to Washington state

Definition

Students who do not meet ALL requirements for financial independence are considered dependent students.

Parent/Guardian Requirements

At least one parent or legal guardian must:

• Have a domicile in Washington for at least one year immediately before the student applies for residency
• Provide the same documentation as required for independent students

The following active military members qualify for Washington resident tuition:

Automatic Qualification

• Active duty members stationed in Washington
• Washington National Guard members (active duty not required)
• Active duty members who live in Washington and are stationed in Oregon border counties
• Active duty members or National Guard stationed out-of-state who entered service as Washington residents and maintained domicile

Continued Eligibility After Reassignment

Active duty members stationed out-of-state after Washington assignment maintain resident status if they:

• Were enrolled in a Washington institution prior to reassignment and remain continuously enrolled, OR
• Enroll in a Washington institution within three years of reassignment

VA Benefits Eligibility

Veterans eligible for any VA educational assistance or rehabilitation benefits qualify for resident tuition, including:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty
• Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve
• Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
• Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)
• Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Fry Scholarship
• Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

10-Year Service Veterans

Veterans with at least 10 years of honorable service and 90+ days of active duty who:

• Are not eligible for VA educational benefits
• Enter school within three years of separation/retirement
• Do not need to live in Washington
• Maintain continuous enrollment

Special Discharge Categories

Veterans discharged due to sexual orientation or gender identity/expression qualify with no time restrictions or residency requirements.

Spouse and Dependent Qualifications

The following military dependents qualify for resident tuition:

• Spouses, domestic partners, or dependents of active duty members stationed in Washington or Washington National Guard members
• Spouses, domestic partners, or dependents of service members stationed out-of-state who entered service as Washington residents
• Spouses, domestic partners, and children under 26 of veterans with 10+ years service and 90+ days active duty (must enroll within 3 years of veteran’s separation)
• Dependents of active duty members who live in Washington and are stationed in Oregon border counties

Continued Eligibility

If the service member is reassigned or moves, dependents maintain resident status if they:

• Were enrolled before reassignment and remain continuously enrolled, OR
• Were admitted before reassignment and enroll for their admitted term, OR
• Enroll within three years of reassignment

Required Documentation

Military dependents may need to provide:

• Certificate of Eligibility
• DD-214 (service member’s discharge document)
• Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders
• Military ID
• Marriage certificate or domestic partnership registration

Students whose parents moved out of Washington may still qualify if they meet ALL requirements:

• 75% High School Attendance: Spent at least 75% of junior and senior years in Washington high schools
• Parent Domicile History: Parent(s) or guardian(s) had Washington domicile for at least one year within the five-year period before graduation
• Enrollment Timeline: Must start college within six months of high school graduation
• Continuous Enrollment: Must remain continuously enrolled for three quarters or two semesters per calendar year

Eligibility Requirements

Must meet BOTH conditions:

1. Tribal Membership: Member of a federally recognized tribe whose traditional/customary boundaries included Washington state portions OR whose tribe was granted reserved lands in Washington
2. Regional Domicile: For at least one year before enrollment, domiciled in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington

Benefits

• Resident tuition at all public colleges and universities
• Eligibility for specific state aid programs (Passport to Careers, State Work Study, American Indian Endowed Scholarship, National Guard Postsecondary Education Grant)

Participating Institutions

Oregon residents may qualify for resident tuition at select Washington institutions:

• Clark College
• Columbia Basin College
• Grays Harbor College
• Lower Columbia College
• Walla Walla Community College
• Washington State University-Vancouver
• Washington State University-Tri Cities

Program Details

• WSU “Border Bill”: Oregon residents in specified counties can attend WSU Vancouver/Tri-Cities part-time (8 credits or less) at resident rates
• Requirements vary by institution
• Contact school’s residency officer for specific eligibility criteria

Most students must maintain a primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before enrollment. The residence must be primarily for purposes other than education. However, there are exceptions:

• Military members and veterans may qualify immediately
• Some students qualify through the affidavit program with different requirements
• Dependent students rely on parent/guardian Washington domicile

Yes! Washington state offers multiple pathways for non-citizens:

• Residency Affidavit Program: Available to students of ALL immigration statuses, including undocumented students
• Traditional Residency: Available to students with qualifying immigration statuses (DACA, EAD, TPS, refugees, asylees, and many visa categories)
• Military Pathways: Available to non-citizen service members and veterans

The affidavit program is particularly significant as it’s the only option for undocumented students without DACA or pending asylum applicants without Employment Authorization Documents.

Taking college courses while establishing residency can affect your qualification:

• 6 Credits or Less: Generally acceptable per term without additional proof
• More than 6 Credits: Must prove Washington residence serves primary purposes other than education, such as:
  • Graduated high school in Washington and continued living here
  • Moved to Washington for employment (self or family)
  • Moved to Washington to care for family members
• Running Start/College in High School: These credits don’t count toward the 6-credit limit

The application process depends on your situation:

Automatic Determination

Most students don’t need to separately apply. Colleges determine residency based on admission and financial aid applications.

When to Apply

Apply for residency if you’re classified as nonresident but believe you qualify as a resident:

• Public Institutions: Contact your school’s residency officer (usually in registrar or admissions office)
• Private Institutions: Contact your school’s financial aid office

Required Documentation

Commonly requested documents include:

• Driver’s license or state ID
• Voter registration
• Vehicle registration
• Lease agreements or mortgage documents
• Employment records (W-2s, pay stubs)
• Tax returns (student and/or parents)
• Bank statements
• Utility bills

Understanding this distinction is crucial for qualification:

Domicile (Legal Term)

• True, fixed, and permanent home
• Place you intend to remain and return to
• Can only have ONE legal domicile at a time
• Requires both physical presence AND intent to remain permanently
• Used for traditional residency qualification

Residence (General Term)

• Where you physically live
• Can have multiple residences
• May be temporary or permanent
• Used for affidavit program qualification

Yes, you have appeal rights if you disagree with a residency determination:

Institution-Level Appeal

1. Submit appeal to your school following their published procedures
2. Provide additional documentation supporting your residency claim
3. Appeal deadlines vary by institution – act quickly

State-Level Review

If institutional appeal is unsuccessful:

• File complaint with Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
• WSAC reviews decision for compliance with state law and institutional policies
• WSAC cannot overturn decisions but can advise institutions