Unemployed (fee pay status - 21)
Underemployed (fee pay status - 22)

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Tuition Waiver

This tuition waiver is for qualified unemployed and underemployed students.

Summary

Community colleges may waive tuition (operating and building fees) and services and activities fees for students 21 years of age or older who have not attended college for the previous six months, are not receiving or entitled to unemployment compensation and are at or below the need standard established by the Department of Social and Health Services.  Students shall be enrolled on a space available basis.  Students must meet the requirements for a resident student.      

These students are not to be included in state enrollment counting.   

This waiver is not included in the 35% legislative limit.

Statute

RCW 28B.15.522 – Waiver of tuition and fees for long-term unemployed or underemployed persons – Community colleges. 

1. The governing boards of the community colleges may waive all or a portion of the tuition and services and activities fees for persons under subsection (2) of this section pursuant to the following conditions:
   1. Such persons shall register for and be enrolled in courses on a space available basis and new course sections shall not be created as a result of the registration;
   2. Enrollment information on persons registered pursuant to this section shall be maintained separately from other enrollment information and shall not be included in official enrollment reports, nor shall such persons be considered in any enrollment statistics which would affect budgetary determinations; and
   3. Persons who enroll under this section shall have the same access to support services as do all other students and shall be subject to all course prerequisite requirements.
2. A person is eligible for the waiver under subsection (1) of this section if the person:
   1. Meets the requirements for a resident student under RCW 28B.15.011 through 28B.15.015;
   2. (b) Is twenty-one years of age or older;
   3. At the time of initial enrollment under subsection (1) of this section, has not attended an institution of higher education for the previous six months;
   4. Is not receiving or is not entitled to receive unemployment compensation of any nature under Title 50 RCW; and
   5. Has an income at or below the need standard established under chapter 74.04 RCW by the department of social and health services.
3. The state board for community and technical colleges shall adopt rules to carry out this section.

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