Washington Tuition Waiver for Dependents of Totally Disabled and Fallen Veterans

Where the veteran's own waiver is discretionary, the dependent waiver is mandatory. RCW 28B.15.621 provides that the governing boards shall waive all tuition and fees for the child and the spouse or domestic partner of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who became totally disabled as a result of serving in active federal military or naval service, and for the child and surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of one who lost their life in such service. The waiver covers undergraduate tuition and fees up to 200 quarter credits, or the semester equivalent. Graduate waivers are encouraged but not required, so a dependent planning graduate study should confirm with the institution rather than assume. A book stipend of $500 per academic year goes to dependent recipients when the legislature funds it, divided across the academic terms and prorated for part-time enrollment. The stipend depends on appropriation in a way the tuition waiver does not. A child has to be a Washington domiciliary between the ages of 17 and 26. A spouse is generally eligible within ten years of the qualifying disability rating or of the missing in action or prisoner of war determination, which is a window rather than an open door, and a surviving spouse should start the process rather than deferring it. The total disability standard is a determination about the veteran's condition rather than a bare combined rating percentage, though in practice it corresponds to a 100 percent rating. Apply through the institution. The Washington Student Achievement Council publishes guidance on the dependent waiver, and WDVA certifies the veteran's status.