Children Or Spouse Of Deceased Or Disabled Law Enforcement Officers Or Firefighters (fee pay status 04)

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Tuition Waiver

This waiver is for the children and surviving spouses of deceased or disabled law enforcement officers or firefighters.

New in 2010

EHB 2519, as passed by the Legislature, amended RCW 28B.15.520. The bill made the waiver mandatory and expanded eligibility to include spouses.

Summary

Community colleges shall waive all or a portion of tuition (operating and building fees) and services and activities fees for the children and surviving spouses of deceased or disabled law enforcement officers or firefighters.  The officers and firefighters must have died or become totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by a public law enforcement agency, full-time or volunteer fire department.  Documentation from the Department of Retirement Systems (see RCW 41.26.120) is required.  The student must begin their course of study within ten years of high school graduation.

This waiver is included in the 35% Legislative limit.

Statute

RCW 28B.15.520(1)(b) – Waiver of fees and nonresident tuition fees differential – Community colleges.

Subject to the limitations of RCW 28B.15.910, the governing boards of the community colleges may:

1. Waive all or a portion of tuition fees and services and activities fees for:
   1. Students nineteen years of age or older who are eligible for resident tuition and fee rates as defined in RCW 28B.15.012 through 28B.15.015, who enroll in a course of study or program which will enable them to finish their high school education and obtain a high school diploma or certificate, but who are not eligible students as defined by RCW 28A.600.405; and
   2. Children of any law enforcement officer or firefighter who lost his or her life or became totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by any public law enforcement agency or full time or volunteer fire department in this state: PROVIDED, That such persons may receive the waiver only if they begin their course of study at a community college within ten years of their graduation from high school;
2. Waive all or a portion of the nonresident tuition fees differential for:
   1. Nonresident students enrolled in a community college course of study or program which will enable them to finish their high school education and obtain a high school diploma or certificate but who are not eligible students as defined by RCW 28A.600.405. The waiver shall be in effect only for those courses which lead to a high school diploma or certificate; and
   2. Up to forty percent of the students enrolled in the regional education program for deaf students, subject to federal funding of such program.

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