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(Approved by authority of the President)
Purpose
This policy provides an overview of tuition waivers and exemptions that the University is required to implement, or has voluntarily implemented, in accordance with state law. It also provides University restrictions and policies relating to the Tuition Exemption Program for UW and State Employees.
Scope
This policy applies to state-funded, tuition-based academic programs at the University. It does not apply to fee-based, non-state supported programs. Additional exclusions may apply under state law and University policy.
Policy Statements
1. Tuition Waivers Required by the State
Several Washington state laws require certain waivers of tuition or fees for specific student populations. These do not require action by the Board of Regents to implement. Examples include waivers for veteran students and families meeting certain criteria.
2. Tuition Waivers Authorized by the State
2.1. Board of Regents Approved Permissive Waivers
The Board of Regents is authorized to grant tuition and fee waivers to students pursuant to RCW 28B.15.910 and the laws identified therein. A number of these statutes authorize but do not require the Board of Regents to grant waivers for different categories of students and provide for waivers of different fees. For permissive waivers authorized but not required by state law, the Board of Regents must act affirmatively to implement the legislature’s grant of authority under each individual law. The permissive waivers the Board of Regents has implemented can be found in WAC 478-161-020.
2.2. Tuition Exemption Program for UW and State Employees Permissive Waiver
The University’s Tuition Exemption Program for University and state employees is authorized under RCW 28B.15.558.
3. Admission, Requesting Tuition Exemption, and Registering for Classes
Admission, registration, and fee payment requirements are established by the University Registrar.
4. Tuition Exemption Program for UW and State Employees: Information and Eligibility
4.1. Program Information
The Tuition Exemption Program for UW and State Employees (hereafter referred to as the Tuition Exemption Program), established under the authority of RCW 28B.15.558, enables eligible UW employees, state of Washington employees, and certain K–12 school employees who have been admitted as a student to a University campus to have tuition waived for up to six credits per quarter when enrollment is on a space-available basis. The Tuition Exemption Program is available at UW Bothell, UW Seattle, and UW Tacoma.
Pursuant to RCW 28B.15.558, the University will award waivers to the UW employees described in Section 4.2.1 before considering waivers for the non-UW state employees described in Sections 4.2.2 and 4.2.3.
Those who enroll at the University on a “space-available” basis for more than six credits per quarter will receive the tuition waiver for the first six credits in the quarter and will pay a per credit charge for the credits taken over six credits in that quarter. Certain courses and programs are not eligible for the Tuition Exemption Program.
4.2. Program Eligibility
4.2.1. University of Washington Employees
4.2.1.1. University Employees Employed Half-Time or More
The following University employees employed half-time or more in the following employment programs are eligible to participate in the Tuition Exemption Program:
- Classified employees with permanent status by the first day of the quarter.
- Classified employees in trial service appointments.
- Civil service exempt employees (i.e., faculty, academic personnel, professional staff, and other civil service exempt staff, including those covered by collective bargaining agreements).
4.2.1.2. Categories Not Eligible for the Tuition Exemption Program
The following are not eligible for the Tuition Exemption Program:
- Unpaid academics, affiliates, or other appointees who are not paid by the University,
- UW retirees,
- Student employees, including academic student employees, or others holding positions that are available only to UW students,
- Employees in nonpermanent or intermittent positions, non-UW student positions, or fee-based assignments,
- Probationary classified and collective bargaining unit employees who have not completed their probationary period prior to the first day of the quarter, and
- Employees whose employment is terminated prior to the first day of class.
4.2.1.3. UW Employees with Multiple Positions
If an employee holds more than one position at the University and at least one position is eligible for the Tuition Exemption Program, the employee is eligible to participate.
4.2.2. State of Washington Employees
Pursuant to RCW 28B.15.558, employees of other state of Washington agencies or higher education institutions as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 that meet the University employee eligibility requirements above are eligible to participate in the program.
4.2.3. Teachers, Certificated Instructional Staff, and Other K–12 Classified Staff
Pursuant to RCW 28B.15.558, certain teachers and certificated instructional staff employed at public common and vocational schools, and other classified staff employed at public common schools as defined in RCW 28A.150.020 are eligible to participate in the program, pursuant to restrictions in state law.
5. Tuition Exemption Program: Course and Program Exclusions
The Tuition Exemption Program is available to UW and state employees during all academic quarters at the University—autumn, winter, spring, and summer—except for courses and programs excluded from eligibility. The University Registrar at each campus maintains the list of excluded courses and programs. The UW Seattle listing can be found on the UW and State Employee Tuition Exemption page, which also has information on obtaining student status. Course and program exclusions for UW Bothell and UW Tacoma, as well as campus-specific instructions, are listed on the Bothell Registrar and Tacoma Registrar pages.
6. Determining New Course and Program Exclusions from the Tuition Exemption Program
6.1. Modification of the Tuition Exemption Program
6.1.1. The Provost may modify Tuition Exemption Program restrictions or requirements pursuant to changes in state or federal law, changes in programmatic requirements, or in response to financial or other considerations.
6.1.2. To request modification to course or program eligibility for the Tuition Exemption Program, chancellors or deans may submit proposals to the Provost and to Finance, Planning & Budgeting (FPB) detailing and justifying proposed changes. Procedures can be found on the FPB website. The submitted justification must include the following considerations, if applicable:
- The need to adopt fiscally responsible budgets;
- The management of the overall levels and mix of enrollments;
- Management initiatives to modify enrollment demand for specific programs; and
- Management decisions to eliminate or modify academic programs.
The proposal must include advisory opinions, or a summary of comments gathered from appropriate academic, student, and administrative leaders, or experts. The proposal also must include an impact assessment that considers the University’s longstanding commitment to the Tuition Exemption Program as a component of its service mission and the support of a learning community.
FPB will perform a fiscal and policy analysis of the proposal, request additional information as needed, and will bring the proposal to the Provost for review. The Provost may approve, revise, or deny the proposal. After approving a proposal, the Provost’s Office will forward the list of affected programs or courses to the University Registrar for publication on the State Employee Tuition Exemption Program webpage or the UW Bothell and UW Tacoma webpages as needed.
Responsible Office and Additional Information
Office of the University Registrar
The Office of the University Registrar maintains a list of office contacts for all implemented tuition exemptions and waivers, and a list of University offices that can provide additional assistance on the Tuition Waivers: Waivers, Exemptions, Reductions webpage. For more information about the program including how to apply, please visit the Office of the University Registrar’s State Employee Tuition Exemption webpage.
Finance, Planning & Budgeting
Finance, Planning & Budgeting (FPB) monitors changes to state authorizations and requirements for tuition exemptions and waivers. For waivers required by the state, FPB works with relevant University offices to ensure timely implementation. For new waivers authorized by the state, FPB works with relevant University offices to perform a fiscal and policy analysis of the effect of implementing a waiver, recommends implementation options for consideration by the Provost and the President, and seeks approval from the Board of Regents for implementation as necessary.
UW Human Resources
UW Human Resources assists University staff and faculty who intend to enroll at other participating colleges or universities.
History
May 1, 2002; September 27, 2006; July 10, 2012; July 25, 2025.