Paying For College

The VA certifying officials at the Veterans Education Benefits Office can help you navigate the different options for funding. They can guide you through the complex process of receiving your benefits – from answering questions about the various education benefits, the application and certification process, and advocating on your behalf with the VA. If your education benefits are going to be delayed, the Veterans Education Benefits staff will work with you to avoid late fees or registration holds and provide options for financial support during the delay. There are other options for financial support. Please review the sections below for more detailed information.

Please know that the University of Washington does not engage in high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts, including by phone, email, or in-person. In addition, the UW does not engage in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments. Please contact the Veterans Education Benefits Office if you have concerns regarding this policy, or the UW’s adherence to this policy.

VA Education Benefits

Make sure to apply for your VA Education Benefits on the VA’s website. Use the GI Bill® comparison tool to determine which benefit you are eligible for based on your time in service and military status. The benefit estimator compares the estimated benefits paid depending on the GI Bill® and school.

Each quarter you wish to use your benefits, you need to complete the Enrollment Certification Request. Before you start the online form you need to know your academic schedule for the quarter, and you need to have met with an academic adviser as they need to verify your degree plan and your academic schedule. We cannot certify your enrollment to the VA without this form, so make sure to complete it before each quarter.

Financial Aid

In addition to utilizing your VA Education Benefits, you will also want to apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA will determine your eligibility for all federal, state, and institutional funding. More information about completing the FAFSA, the Husky Promise Program, student loans, and important deadlines can be found at the Student Financial Aid website.

Tuition Assistance

The Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program covers up to 100% tuition and fees, not to exceed $166 per quarter credit hours, or $4,500.00 per fiscal year (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30). Tuition assistance is available to active duty, National Guard and Reserve Component service members. All service members interested in using TA must contact their Education Service Officer (ESO) or Education Counselor within their branch of service prior to enrolling in any university. As each military branch has its own TA application form and process you need to review the requirements for the specific branch. To find out how to get started talk with your ESO or Education Counselor, or review the information available online for each service branch:

Prior to your course enrollment, you may be required to develop an education plan or complete an orientation. You need to receive approval from your ESO to use TA before you enroll in a course.

Once approved the service branch will send the tuition payment directly to the school. Tuition assistance will cover the following expenses up to $166 per quarter credit hours, or $4,500.00 per fiscal year:

• tuition
• course-specific fees such as laboratory fee.

The tuition payment is handled by Student Fiscal Services (SFS).

Tuition – Out of State

If you are from out of state, make sure to review our Residency page to see if you are eligible for resident tuition. As of June 9,2022 students who are eligible for VA education benefits are eligible for residency under RCW 28B.15.012(2)(k).

Current and former U.S. military personnel, and their dependents may be eligible for resident tuition in other ways. The main categories are listed on this page. Please select the specific category for more details about the requirements, and how to apply for residency at the Seattle Campus.

Tuition Waivers for Service Members

As a veteran, you may also qualify for additional tuition assistance through one of the state waiver programs. If eligible, these state waivers can supplement your VA education benefits. Even if you have exhausted your VA benefits you may still qualify for a state tuition waiver of up to 50% resident tuition.

Eligibility

You are eligible to receive a waiver of your tuition and fees (up to 50% of in-state rate) if you are:

• a Washington state domicile who was an active or reserve member of the United States military or a national guard member called to active duty, who served in active federal service, under either the Title 10 or Title 32,
• 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
• if discharged from service, has received an honorable discharge.

Conditions for undergraduate students

The waiver is awarded only to undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree, to a maximum of 225 college-level credits, including credits transferred from other institutions of higher education. Waivers will not be awarded to students participating in fee-based courses or programs. For more information, refer to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), section 28B.15.621, and Washington Administrative Code (WAC), section 478-161-020.

Conditions for graduate or professional students

The waiver is awarded to graduate and professional students pursuing their first graduate or professional degree at the University of Washington. You are not eligible for this tuition waiver if you have previously received a veteran’s tuition waiver/reduction at the University of Washington. Graduate students must be registered for a minimum of 10 credits to qualify. Professional students must be registered for a minimum of 12 credits to qualify. Waivers will not be awarded to students participating in fee-based courses or programs. For more information, refer to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), section 28B.15.621, and Washington Administrative Code (WAC), section 478-161-020.

Apply

Please provide the following:

• a completed undergraduate waiver application or graduate waiver application, and
• supporting document(s)* such as a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy #4) or other supporting documentation showing your qualifying service, and
• if you are not classified as a Washington resident for tuition purposes, a signed Certification of Washington Domicile.

*Supporting document(s) can be uploaded with the waiver application.

Tuition Waivers for Child or Spouse of Deceased, Disabled, MIA, or POW veteran

As a dependent, you may also qualify for additional assistance through the state waiver program. If eligible, the state waiver can supplement your VA education benefits. Even if you have exhausted your VA benefits you may still qualify for a state tuition waiver.

Eligibility

You are eligible to receive a waiver of all resident tuition and fees if your parent or spouse is a Washington state domicile who:

• was an active or reserve member of the United States military, or a national guard member called to active duty, who served in active federal service, under either the Title 10 or Title 32, 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, has received an honorable discharge,
• and became totally disabled (a person who has been determined to be one hundred percent disabled by the Federal Department of Veteran Affairs);
• or who lost his or her life 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.

Conditions

The waiver is awarded only to undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Total credits earned using the waiver may not exceed 250 credits. The child must be a Washington domiciliary between the age of 17 and 26. A child’s marital status does not affect eligibility. A surviving spouse must be a Washington domiciliary. A surviving spouse has 10 years from the date of death, total disability, or federal determination of prisoner of war or missing in action status of the eligible veteran to receive this benefit. Upon remarriage, the surviving spouse is ineligible for the waiver of all tuition and fees. Certain fee-based courses/programs may be included. For more information, refer to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), section 28B.15.621, and Washington Administrative Code (WAC), section 478-161-020.

Apply

Please provide the following:

• a completed waiver application, and
• supporting documents*:
  • a copy of your parent’s or spouse’s DD-214 (Member Copy #4) or other supporting documentation showing their qualifying service
  • documentation from the VA or DOD that your parent or spouse is 100% disabled, deceased, POW or MIA
  • a copy of your birth certificate or marriage certificate, and
  • proof of qualifying parent or spouse’s Washington domiciliary, such as a copy of utility bill or lease agreement.

  *Supporting documents can be uploaded with the waiver application.

  Tutorial Assistance Program

  Tutorial Assistance is available if you are receiving VA education benefits (except REAP) at the half-time or more rate and have a deficiency in a subject making tutoring necessary. If you have questions about this program, please contact the VA at 888-442-4551.

  GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

  Veterans Education Benefits Office

  Our in-person advising hours are:

  You can also reach us by email: veteran@uw.edu

  Please note, in-person advising will be unavailable during the break, starting Monday August 19th. We will resume in-person advising Monday September 16th.

  Starting September 16th:

  Monday – Friday 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

  * Hours are subject to change based on staffing availability.

  Our office is located in 520 Schmitz Hall

  To leave a voice message call 206.543.6122, and we will return your call within 2-3 business days.

  College Financing Plan

  To request a College Financing Plan please complete this form:

  Forms

  • Enrollment Certification Request
  • Course Repeat
  • Parent School Letter Request
  • Request for Multiple Objectives
  • Non Matriculated Student Status
  • Graduation Extension
  • Tuition Waiver for Child or Spouse
  • Tuition Waiver for Veterans – Undergraduate
  • Tuition Waiver for Veterans – Graduate
  • Certification of Washington Domicile