Current Students

Residents - U.S. Citizens
To qualify for in-state (resident) tuition, applicants must have lived in Washington state for reasons other than educational purposes for one full year prior to the first day of the quarter in which resident fees are requested. A financially dependent student may also be eligible for resident tuition if one or both parents or legally appointed guardian(s) have maintained a domicile in Washington state for one full year prior to the first day of the quarter. Establishing permanent state residency includes compliance with Washington state laws, vehicle and driver’s license registration and registration to vote in this state, if applicable.

Applicants may qualify for in-state tuition fees without establishing residency if they:

1. hold a graduate service appointment, designated as such by an institution, and involving not less than twenty hours per week.
2. reside in the state of Washington and are an employee, or the dependent child of an employee, not less than half-time with a state institution.
3. are on active military duty and stationed in Washington state.
4. are an immigrant refugee or the spouse or dependent child of an immigrant refugee.
5. are a dependent of a Congressional member representing the state of Washington.

Contact the Registration Office for more information on additional legal requirements to qualify for these exemptions.

Those who do not meet the residency requirements or eligibility for exemption are assessed tuition and fees based on "non-residency" status.

Residents - Non-U.S. Citizens
Effective July 1, 2003, Washington state law changed the definition of "resident student" so that certain students who are not permanent residents or citizens of the United States are eligible for resident student status — and eligible to pay resident tuition rates — when they attend public colleges and universities in this state. The law does not make these students eligible to receive need-based state or federal financial aid.

To qualify for resident status, students must complete an affidavit / declaration / certification if they are not permanent residents or citizens of the United States, but have met one of the following conditions:

Students who meet one of the above conditions must also certify that they will be filing an application to become a permanent resident of the United States as soon as they are eligible to apply. Students must also certify that they are willing to engage in activities designed to prepare them for citizenship, including citizenship and civics review courses.

Students who meet these conditions and would like to pay resident tuition rates should contact the college.