How To Use Military Benefits for College in Washington

Washington is a beautiful state, and it also has many excellent colleges and universities. Service members can use their military benefits to attend college in Washington. Service members can use multiple military educational benefits. However, there are a few steps required to secure these benefits.

Keep reading to learn how to use military benefits for college in Washington.

Steps for Using Military Educational Benefits for Washington College Students

Washington students who are or were in the military can use a variety of educational benefits to pay for their tuition costs. Below, we've outlined the steps you'll need to take to use your military educational benefits at Washington colleges and universities.

Understand Your Benefits

Active duty service members and veterans living in Washington state can take advantage of VA education benefits and state benefits. We've listed some common educational assistance programs for military service members below.

Washington National Guard Postsecondary Education Grant

The Washington National Guard Postsecondary Education Grant (NGG) is a grant that the Washington Student Achievement Council offers to active members of the Washington National Guard. It helps students cover remaining educational costs after they've used financial aid.

Students can use these funds at public and private institutions in Washington, and the maximum offered is $6,500. Veterans can also pass these benefits on to their dependents or spouses.

Washington State Veterans' Education Benefits

In Washington State, public colleges and universities can waive all or part of tuition and fees for eligible veterans and National Guard members. This is a waiver program, and the amount you can receive varies depending on the institution.

Additionally, the state requires state community colleges, colleges, and universities to waive all undergraduate tuition and fees for eligible dependents of eligible veterans or National Guard members. This tuition waiver covers up to 200 quarter credits or equivalent semester credits.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

Through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers educational benefits to those who served on active duty on or after 9/11. The amount you qualify for depends on how long you served. The program covers up to full tuition and fees at a public, in-state college or university and offers stipends for books and housing. Those who want to attend private school can get up to nearly $29,000 annually.

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) is another bill that offers veterans benefits. There are two types of Montgomery GI Bills: one for active duty service members and one for selected reserve members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard.

The Montgomery GI Bill will cover tuition costs as well as those costs for other types of vocational training but doesn't cover books or housing. You can learn more about GI Bills at the VA's official U.S. Government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Check Eligibility

Although there are many benefit programs for active duty service members and veterans, you probably aren't eligible for all of them. Some are specifically for those currently serving, while others are just for veterans who have an honorable discharge. Additionally, you cannot use every benefit you're eligible for.

For example, you can use your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits with many types of financial aid, but can't use it simultaneously with the Montgomery GI Bill. Most program websites will list eligibility requirements and tell you if you can use those benefits with a GI Bill.

Apply for Benefits

Even if you qualify for benefits, you must apply to secure your financial aid. Application requirements vary but can be found on program websites. You must complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This takes about an hour and is required for most financial aid programs.

Application Deadline

Financial aid and benefit programs have deadlines so that you receive your funding in time for the academic year. These vary by program, and colleges and universities often have their financial aid deadlines.

The GI Bills do not have application deadlines, but it takes about 30 days for the VA to process applications. This means you'll want to apply with plenty of time before the start of the semester.

Choose a VA-Approved School

The VA must approve the college or university for students to use their VA educational benefits to pay for tuition. The VA approves most accredited institutions, but attending an in-state public college or university allows you to maximize your benefits. We've listed a few of these institutions below.

University of Washington Institutions

The University of Washington is a public research university with its main campus in Seattle. It also has two satellite campuses, one in Tacoma and another in Bothell.

Because the University of Washington is public, the Post-9/11 GI Bill may cover all your tuition costs. The university also offers a 50% tuition discount to undergraduate students who are service members or veterans.

Washington State University Institutions

Washington State University is a public research university in Pullman, WA. It also operates additional campuses in Spokane, Vancouver, the Tri-Cities area, and an online campus.

As a public university, students here may get their tuition completely covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. WSU also offers tuition discounts to service members, veterans, dependents, and surviving spouses.

Central Washington University

Central Washington University is a public university in Ellensburg, WA. Like the others on this list, CWU is public, so the Post-9/11 GI Bill may cover your full tuition costs.

The university offers tuition waivers to veterans for up to 225 quarter credits. Tuition waivers for dependents and surviving spouses of disabled veterans, POW/MIA service members, and deceased eligible veterans.

Speak With Your School's Veteran's Office

Typically, colleges and universities will offer a veterans services office. At a minimum, this office will help you coordinate your military benefits and financial aid.

Some veterans services offices go above and beyond to help service members adjust to higher education. They offer things like enrollment assistance, career counseling, and support services.

Explore Additional Funding

For those who aren't eligible for GI Bill benefits or have additional tuition costs left after applying for those educational benefits, additional funding can help cover your remaining tuition. Below, we've listed a few common funding options that won't leave you in student loan debt.

Military Scholarships

Scholarships are financial aid gifts you don't need to pay back. Scholarships are offered by many organizations and awarded amounts vary. Many organizations offer scholarships specifically to military members. The scholarship finder at the U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop website is a great tool for finding scholarships.

Military Grants

Grants, like scholarships, are financial aid you do not need to repay. They're usually based on financial need, but some are specific to the military. The Washington National Guard Postsecondary Education Grant is just one grant that service members can use to pay their tuition. The scholarship finder at CareerOneStop can help you find additional grants.

Tuition Assistance Programs

Tuition assistance programs are designed to lower or completely cover tuition costs. Nearly all branches of the military offer tuition assistance programs to active duty service members.

Another tuition assistance program is the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program helps those who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill pay for additional costs the bill doesn't cover, like if a student goes to a private school. Schools need to opt into this program and often have a cap on how much financing is available.

Who Is Eligible for Washington State Employment Veterans Hiring Preference?

Under Washington state law, state jobs have to give preference to veterans when hiring. There are several eligibility requirements for this program, but generally, you must be someone who has received an honorable discharge and served in a specific capacity.

Surviving spouses or registered domestic partners of eligible veterans are also eligible for this program, as are spouses or registered domestic partners of veterans with a qualifying discharge who have a service-connected disability.