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Tuition Waivers

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Tuition Waivers 2023-10-30T14:33:14+00:00

Tuition Waivers

A tuition waiver is a form of college aid that reduces the total amount your school charges you for tuition. Getting a tuition waiver can help you lower the total cost of what you’ll pay out of pocket for your college education.

Waivers

Waives all tuition, building, and activity fees and allows for a charge of $25 per student, which may also be waived based on financial need.
Waives one-half of the standard per credit tuition and services/activities fees upon approval from the appropriate authorizing body. Eligible students must be residents of Washington State.

Para-educator

Early Childhood Education

Up to 25 percent of the established resident tuition rate at 15 credits. The waiver is available to grant-in-aid-eligible resident and non-resident student athletes. For eligibility determinations, please contact the Highline College Athletic Director.

Effective fall 2010, Highline will waive all tuition and fees for the children of firefighters or law enforcement officers who became disabled or are deceased.

  • For children of officers or firefighters who died or become totally disabled, either physically or mentally, 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.
Submit documentation to Registration office no later than the 5th day of classroom instruction.

  • U.S. citizens and/or those approved as permanent residents of the United States are automatically eligible for the non-resident waiver.
  • See non-resident tuition costs.

Confirm residency status at the Admissions office.

Permits the charge of resident tuition, regardless of domicile for the following:

  • Washington National Guard members and their dependents
  • Undocumented high school graduates
  • Active duty military personnel and their spouses and dependents
  • Native American students
  • In-State high school graduates

For eligibility determination, contact the Admissions office.

Enrollment is permitted if a seat is available on the first day of the second week of the quarter; instructors must sign an add/drop form or email authorizing enrollment into the class.

Restrictions

  • These waivers can only be used for a maximum of 2 classes per quarter.
  • This waiver cannot be used for Distance Learning WAOL and Self Supporting classes.
  • Early registration is not allowed; students enrolled or added to the waitlist prior to the second week of classes are not eligible for this waiver.
  • Enrollment is not allowed in programs that are competitive, for example, Nursing, Respiratory Care, BAS, etc.
  • Courses must be Audited (no credit or grades will be awarded for the class)

Senior Citizens

A reduced tuition charge of $5.00 (plus fees) is available for Washington state residents sixty years or older who enroll on an audit basis for one or two classes per quarter.

Register on a “space available” basis. You must be admitted to Highline and receive instructor permission* to register no earlier than the first day of the second week of the quarter. Seniors who register prior to the first day of the second week of the quarter, with or without instructor permission (even if space is available in the class), will be charged full tuition and will not be allowed to use the “space available” option on that class.

Enrollment is permitted if a seat is available on the first day of the second week of the quarter; instructors must sign an add/drop form or email authorizing enrollment into the class.

Restrictions

  • These waivers can only be used for a maximum of 2 classes per quarter.
  • This waiver cannot be used for Distance Learning WAOL classes.
  • Early registration is not allowed; students enrolled or added to the waitlist prior to the second week of classes are not eligible for this waiver.
  • Enrollment is not allowed in programs that are competitive, example: Nursing, Respiratory Care, BAS, etc.
  • Submit the letter from your Human Resources department to verify employment and eligibility each quarter. This letter must be signed no more than 30 days before the quarter starts.

State Employees

State Employees may be eligible for reduced tuition of $8.00 (plus fees) when employed half-time or more.

Per RCW 28B.15.558 state employees include: faculty, counselors, librarians, classified, exempt professional and administrative employees at institutions of higher education; teachers and other certificated instructional staff employed at public common and vocational schools, holding or seeking a valid endorsement and assignment in a state-identified shortage area; and classified staff employed at K-12 public schools when used for coursework relevant to the work assignment.

  • Highline employees: More information is available on the Highline College Human Resources Website.
  • All other state employees: Current employment verification must be signed no more than 30 calendar days before the quarter starts from your Human Resources Office.

Register on a “space available” basis. You must be admitted to Highline and receive instructor permission* to register no earlier than the first day of the second week of the quarter. WA Employees who register prior to the first day of the second week of the quarter, with or without instructor permission (even if space is available in the class), will be charged full tuition and will not be allowed to use the “space available” option on that class.

Submit your employment documentation along with your faculty enrollment authorization to Registration between the second week of the quarter. Check our Dates and Deadlines calendar for more information.

Eligible military or naval veterans must be a Washington domiciliary.

Children/Spouse of Totally Disabled or POW/MIA or Deceased Eligible Veterans or National Guard Members – Effective fall quarter 2007, Highline will waive all tuition and fees for the children and spouse of totally disabled or POW/MIA or deceased eligible veterans or National Guard Members. To apply, visit the Veterans Service office and pick up the Chapter 35 Tuition Waiver form. For eligibility determinations, contact the Veterans Coordinator at Highline College.