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.

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

Absence Due to Military/Civil Service

Washington residents, who enter the military/civil service while domiciled in Washington or established a domicile while stationed in Washington for a period of at least one year, will maintain resident status while being stationed outside of Washington if they:

• 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.

Please reference Military Personnel page for more details.

Absence for Educational Purposes Only

Students who are Washington residents and have been absent due to attending an out-of-state college/university will need to complete the Residence Questionnaire process.

Documentation to provide along with the Residence Questionnaire:

1. Proof that student has maintained all Washington legal ties and did not take steps to establish domicile in another state. Review Residency Requirements for details.
2. Verification that student resided in Washington for a minimum of one year (12 months) prior to leaving the state for educational purposes.
3. Documentation from the out-of-state college/university verifying student’s continuous enrollment as a non-resident, paying non-resident tuition. If the student attended a private college/university, only verification of continuous enrollment is required.

A student who is financially dependent upon parent(s)/legal guardian(s) or others should refer to Financially Dependent Students.

As part of the admissions process, the UW School of Medicine (SOM) Admissions Office requires some applicants to verify their Washington residency. If you are required to verify your residency, you will receive instructions from the SOM Admissions Office.

Residency Affidavit

School of Medicine applicants who meet the following requirements are eligible to submit the Washington Higher Education Residency Affidavit to verify residency status.

1. You must have received a high school diploma (or equivalent).
2. You must have maintained a primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to your first admitted quarter at the University of Washington Seattle. The Washington residence must be for purposes primarily other than postsecondary education. If you take any courses at another Washington college during the prior 12 months, you cannot have taken more than six credits in any given term. If you exceed that limit you must prove that you have a Washington residence for reasons other than postsecondary education. For 2026 Medical School applicants, this means you must have established your primary residence in Washington on or before June 22, 2026.
3. You must affirm that you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or that you will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States as soon as you are eligible to apply.

Residence Questionnaire

School of Medicine applicants who do not meet the requirements of the affidavit can submit a Residence Questionnaire. There are two ways to verify residency using the Residence Questionnaire:

1. If you are claiming residency because you are financially dependent on a parent or court-appointed legal guardian who is a resident of Washington State, please review Financially Dependent Students for information about how to complete the Residence Questionnaire as a financially-dependent student, and what information and documentation you will need to provide.
2. If you are claiming residency because you are a current resident of Washington State who is financially independent and attending school or working out-of-state, please review Financially Independent Students and Washington Residents Absent from State for information about how to complete the Residence Questionnaire as a financially-independent student, and what information and documentation you will need to provide.

The information on this page is not affiliated with the School of Medicine Residency and Clinical Fellowship Programs.