Residency for Military-connected Students

Starting June 9, 2022, military members (including National Guard and Reservists), veterans, and their dependents (spouses, former spouses, and children) who are eligible for VA educational assistance or rehabilitation benefits are considered Washington resident students.

Key Points:

• No Enrollment Deadline: There is no time limit on when students must enroll.
• Residency Not Required: Students do not need to live in Washington to qualify.
• Active Benefits Not Required: Students don’t need to be actively using their benefits.
• Service Duration: There are no specific service time requirements for military members or veterans.
• Continuous Enrollment: Students maintain their resident status as long as they remain continuously enrolled.

Eligible Benefits Include:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill®
• Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty
• Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (for National Guard and Reserve members)
• Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment
• Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
• Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Fry Scholarship
• Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

In addition to qualifying for residency through VA educational or rehabilitation benefits, the following military members are also considered Washington resident students:

Eligible Military Members:

1. Active Duty Members Stationed in Washington:
   • If you're stationed here, you're automatically a resident student.
2. Active Duty Members Stationed Out-of-State (effective June 9, 2022):
   • If you were stationed in Washington and then reassigned out-of-state, you can maintain resident status if you:
     • Were enrolled in a Washington institution before your reassignment and stay continuously enrolled afterward, OR
     • Enroll in a Washington institution within three years of your reassignment.
3. Active Duty Members Living in Washington:
   • This includes those stationed in an Oregon county that borders Washington.
4. Washington National Guard Members:
   • You qualify regardless of whether you are on active duty.
5. Active Duty and National Guard Members Stationed Out-of-State:
   • If you entered service as a Washington resident and have maintained your Washington domicile, you are also eligible.

In addition to qualifying for residency through VA educational or rehabilitation benefits, the following veterans are also considered Washington resident students:

Eligible Veterans:

1. Veterans with Honorable Service (effective June 9, 2022):
   • Must have at least 10 years of honorable service and a minimum of 90 days of active duty service. (Note: Separation does not need to be from active duty.)
   • This applies to veterans who are not eligible for VA educational or rehabilitation benefits.
   • Must enter school within three years of separation or retirement from the military.
   • Do not need to live in Washington.
   • Maintain resident status as long as they stay continuously enrolled.
   • Note: This does not apply to veterans with a dishonorable discharge.
2. Veterans Discharged Due to Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity/Expression:
   • These veterans also do not need to live in Washington.
   • They are not required to enter school within a specific time frame after separating from the military.
   • They maintain resident status as long as they stay continuously enrolled.
   • Note: This does not apply to veterans with a dishonorable discharge.

In addition to qualifying for residency through VA educational or rehabilitation benefits, the following military dependents are considered Washington resident students:

Eligible Military Dependents:

1. Spouses and Dependents of Active Duty Members or National Guard Members:
   • This includes spouses, state-registered domestic partners, or dependents (as defined in Title 10 U.S.C. Sec. 1072(2)) of active duty members stationed in Washington or Washington National Guard members (who do not need to be on active duty).
   • Living in Washington Not Required: Students do not need to reside in Washington.
2. For Active Duty or National Guard Members Stationed Out-of-State:
   • Dependents maintain resident status if they are either:
     • Enrolled in a Washington institution before the reassignment and stay continuously enrolled after, or
     • Starting June 9, 2022, enroll in a Washington institution within three years of the date of reassignment.
3. Dependents of Veterans with Honorable Service:
   • This includes spouses, state-registered domestic partners, and children under 26 of veterans who separated or retired with at least 10 years of honorable service and at least 90 days of active duty. (Separation or retirement does not need to be from active duty.)
   • This applies to students not eligible for VA educational or rehabilitation benefits.
   • Dependents must enter school within three years of the veteran’s separation or retirement.
   • Living in Washington Not Required: Neither the dependent nor the veteran needs to reside in Washington.
   • Students maintain resident status as long as they stay continuously enrolled.
   • Note: This does not apply if the veteran had a dishonorable discharge.
4. Dependents of Active Duty Members Living in Washington:
   • This includes spouses or dependents of active duty members stationed in an Oregon county that borders Washington.
   • If the active duty member moves out of Washington or is stationed outside of an Oregon county that borders Washington, the student maintains resident status as long as they are:
     • Enrolled in a Washington institution before the reassignment/move and stay continuously enrolled after, or
     • Admitted to a Washington institution before the reassignment/move and enrolled for the term they were admitted.

To update your residency status, please send all necessary documents based on your military affiliation through our secure portal using the Residency Forms. We will ensure your account is updated with the Registrar's office.

Required Documents:

• Veterans:
  • DD214 Member 4 or Service Number 2
  • GI Bill® Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• Dependents:
  • GI Bill® Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
  • Veteran's DD214 Member 4 or Service Number 2
• VR&E:
  • Requires Tungsten PO Authorization. Please contact our Front Desk for assistance.
• National Guard, Active Duty, & AD Dependents:
  • Military ID
  • Copy of Current WA State Orders

For additional ways to meet residency requirements, please check the Registrar's Residency page.