Resident Tuition for Citizens of the Freely Associated States

Effective July 1, 2024, citizens of the Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau) are eligible for the resident tuition rate at all public colleges and universities in the United States of America.

The reduction does not grant bona fide Washington residency; however, it reduces the amount of the non-resident portion of tuition.

For additional information, please reference section 209 (b)(1)E) of Title II of Division G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 [PDF]

Application Process

Students that believe they meet the requirements of this form must complete the Resident Tuition for Citizens of the Freely Associated States Form. Students applying using this form must provide documentation of their citizenship of a Freely Associated State.

American Indian students who meet the following two conditions are eligible to pay resident tuition at colleges and universities in Washington State:

1. For a period of one year immediately prior to enrollment at a state institution of higher education, students must have been domiciled in one or a combination of the following states: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington. The domicile must have been for purposes other than college. If a student takes any courses at another Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington college during the one-year period immediately prior to their first term at a state institution of higher education, they cannot have taken more than six credits in any given term. If a student exceeds that limit they must prove that they have a domicile in one of these states for non-college reasons.
2. Students must be a member of one of the federally recognized Indian tribes, as determined under Title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations (25CFR), whose traditional and customary tribal boundaries included portions of the state of Washington, or whose tribe was granted reserved lands within the state of Washington.

Please review Federally Recognized Tribes Eligible for Resident Tuition in Washington State [PDF] for a complete list of eligible tribes.

Application Process

Students that believe they meet the requirements of this form must complete the Resident Tuition for American Indian Students form. Students applying under this form must provide the required documentation to support the resident tuition form.

Application Periods and Deadlines

Residency applications requesting for the change in tuition status must be submitted by the 30th day of the quarter for which this request is made. Applications sent after this deadline will be rejected. There is no retroactive backdating for in-state tuition. Review Application and Paperwork Submissions for details.

Uniformed Services and VEBO

As of September 17, 2021, the review and processing of residency forms specific to the uniformed services for Seattle campus students has transitioned to the Veterans Educational Benefits Office. Please review their website for information about resident tuition for:

• Active Duty Military Stationed in Washington
• Dependents of Current and Former Service Members
• Veterans
• Washington National Guard Members

Washington Military Members Stationed Elsewhere

Washington residents who are also a military member stationed outside of Washington, please read the following information about how to apply for residency using the Residence Questionnaire.

Washington residents who either entered the military while domiciled in Washington, or established a domicile while stationed in Washington for a period of at least one year, will remain a resident while stationed outside of Washington as long as you:

• Return within one year (12 months) of discharge/end of service with the intent to be domiciled in Washington.
• Maintain all legal ties in Washington.

To apply as a military member (or dependent) who are Washington State resident but stationed in another state or overseas:

1. Complete the appropriate Residence Questionnaire and Documentation Checklist
2. Provide documentation of the active duty military member’s state of legal residence (L.E.S. – Leave and Earnings Statement).
   • The military member will need to provide a copy of their current L.E.S. and L.E.S. from 12 months prior to the quarter of application for residency.
3. Provide documentation showing that Washington legal ties have been maintained while being stationed elsewhere. At least three of the following must be provided:
   • Driver’s License
   • Voter’s Registration
   • Vehicle Registration
   • Bank Account
   • Property Ownership

Many terms associated with applying for residency to be assessed in-state tuition rates at the University of Washington. If after reviewing the following glossary of terms, you still have questions on their meaning, contact the Residency Team.

– B –

Bona Fide Domicile

An individual’s true home and intended permanent living space, in which the individual has established valid legal ties.

Break Enrollment

An absence of more than one quarter (excluding summer quarter).

– C –

Calendar Year

January 1 through December 31 of a specific year.

– D –

Dependent Funds

Funds or financial assistance either provided by, or due to a relationship with, someone other than their spouse or registered domestic partner.

Domicile-eligible Immigration Status

An immigration or visa status that allows an individual to establish domicile in the United States.

– E –

EAD – Employment Authorization Document

A document demonstrating that an individual is authorized to work in the United States. An individual’s EAD code can impact whether they are eligible to establish domicile in the United States.

Educational Presumption

Presumption by law that an individual has moved to Washington state for education purposes, rather than with intent of establishing bona fide domicile.

– F –

Financial Assistance

Financial support provided to an individual from someone other than their spouse or state registered domestic partner. Examples include, providing funds to an individual that were not earned as income from employment, directly paying an individual’s rent or tuition, gifting property, providing housing at a significantly reduced rate, etc.

First Admitted Quarter

A student’s first term at an institution at a specific level (e.g., undergraduate, graduate, professional).

– I –

Independent Funds

Funds or financial resources that can be documented as being an independent resource earned or made available to an individual, or their spouse or state registered domestic partner of at least one year.

– L –

Legal Ties

Legal credentials or relationships that an individual establishes or holds with a state or country, that may be indicative of domicile. Examples: Voter Registration, Vehicle Registration, and Driver’s License.

– N –

Non-Resident

A student who either does not meet, or has not sufficiently proved that they meet, the residency requirements for Washington state. If a student is classified as a non-resident then they will be charged the non-resident tuition rate.

Notarize

A process by which an individual verifies that they witnessed a document be signed, and authenticates the identity of the signee of a document.

Notary Public

An individual who is authorized to officially notarize a document.

– P –

Permanent Resident

An individual who has been authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. Individuals with this status will have a permanent resident card (also known as a green card).

Physical Presence

Being physically present in a location.

Primary Residence

A living space and a mailing address that is an individual’s predominant residence.

– R –

RCW – Revised Code of Washington State

The RCW contains the laws as passed by the Washington State Legislature.

Reciprocity Exchange Program

An agreement between two (or more) states, or academic programs, to offer resident tuition rates, or a tuition reduction, to residents of these states.

Redacted/Redaction

Edits that revise, remove, censor, or obscure information.

Resident

A student who has been determined to meet the residency requirement for Washington state. If a student is classified as a resident then they are eligible to pay the resident tuition rate.

– S –

Spouse

A partner in marriage.

State Registered Domestic Partnership

A partnership that has met the specific requirements outlined by a state, and that has officially been registered with a state.

Statutory Deadline

A deadline established by state or federal statute.

– T –

Trust

An account created by a grantor that holds funds or resources for a beneficiary or beneficiaries, and that may have guidelines or restrictions regarding how the assets in the trust may be used.

Tuition Reduction

A reduction to a student’s tuition by way of waiver. Tuition reductions do not grant bona fide Washington residency; however, they do reduce the amount of the non-resident portion of tuition.

– W –

WAC – Washington Administrative Code

The WAC sections that pertain to residency for tuition purposes are written and managed by the Washington Student Achievement Council and help to expand upon and clarify what is written in the RCW.