Registering with a Waiver
What is a Waiver?
Under certain conditions, some tuition costs may be waived for those 60+ years of age or for those working for the State of Washington or a public K-12 institution.
Three waiver options are available: two for Washington State employees, and one for those 60+.
Each waiver has different benefits, limitations and costs. Washington State law defines the conditions under which you may qualify.
Benefits and Limitations for all Waivers
- By law, tuition waivers cannot be awarded to students in classes which must cover their own costs without state support, also known as "self-sustaining". Self-sustaining classes include things like summer classes.
- Tuition waiver requests must be submitted every quarter you are registered and are requesting a tuition reduction
- Tuition waiver requests must be submitted to the Registration and Records office no later than Friday of week 2. Any requests after this will not be approved.
- You have access to course counseling, equal to all other students
- You must meet all class requirements, equal to all other students
Employee Waivers
We offer two waivers to Washington State employees and public K-12 staff who want to earn a degree or take classes at a reduced rate. One waiver allows you to earn your undergraduate or graduate degree for a little over half the cost of tuition. Under the other waiver, you pay an administrative fee much lower than tuition; however, it only applies to specific types of classes and only if there is an open seat when the term begins. To qualify for either waiver, you must be:
- A permanent employee
- Employed half-time or more in one of the following:
- Classified service under chapter 41.06 RCW
- Classified employee or exempt paraprofessional of a technical college
- Faculty member, counselor, librarian, exempt professional or administrative employee at an institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016
- Teacher or other certified instructional staff employed at public common and vocational schools
- Classified staff employed at a public common school as defined in RCW 28A.150.020, when used as part of a teacher preparation program or which is relevant to their work assignment
Employee 50% Operating Fee Tuition Waiver
Benefits and limitations
- Graduate students must contact their program prior to submitting a 50% operating fee tuition waiver form
- Available to Evergreen, Washington State and public K-12 employees, as defined above
- You must be admitted, seeking a degree at Evergreen
- Limited number available
- You may take advantage of admitted student priority registration
- Waiver applies to any type of class, including graduate core programs, Thesis, and individual study
- You receive benefits equal to other tuition and fee-paying students – ID card, student discount at events, etc.
- Once awarded, the waiver remains with you while you meet the following conditions:
- Maintain good academic standing in your degree program
- Continue to be an eligible employee, as defined above. You must confirm you are an eligible employee each quarter.
- Maintain enrollment during the academic year (fall, winter, spring) toward your degree
Costs
- Waiver reduces 50% of operating fee tuition for any credit amount, part-time or full-time
- Some fees from tuition are charged (building fee and services and activities (S&A) fee)
- Some fees are waived (wellness fee and transit and late-night bus fee)
- Fees for materials or activities are charged, if required for the class
Process
- New students should submit the Evergreen - Washington State Public Employee 50% Waiver Eligibility form (PDF) when applying for admission. Recommended submission dates are on the form.
- Continuing students who have been awarded a waiver must submit a new Evergreen - Washington State Public Employee 50% Waiver Eligibility form (PDF) every quarter (fall, winter, spring), one week prior to the start of registration. You may lose the waiver if you do not submit your signed form on time. Registration dates are on the academic calendar.
Employee Full Tuition Waiver up to 4 credits
Benefits and limitations
- Available to Evergreen, Washington State and public K-12 employees, as defined in the Employee Waivers section above.
- You do not need to be admitted
- Limited to 4 graduate or undergraduate credits. If you register for more than 4 credits, you will be charged full tuition and fees for all credits.
- Waiver does not apply to graduate core programs, Thesis, or individual study (contracts or internships). It does apply to graduate courses (elective or concentration courses).
- Limited to classes with space available and no waitlist at the beginning of the quarter. Classes must already exist; creating new sections in existing classes is prohibited.
- Employee waivers will be given to Evergreen employees first
- Must submit waiver request along with registration form no earlier than first day of the quarter
- If admitted, you cannot take advantage of admitted student priority registration and request a waiver. You must choose one or the other.
- You will not be charged Student Activity or Wellness fees; therefore, you will not receive an ID card or receive benefits from programs supported by those fees
- Waiver eligibility is determined on a quarter-by-quarter basis. It does not remain with you from quarter to quarter.
Costs
- $100 administrative fee
- Fees for materials or activities, if required for the class
Process
- Complete a registration form, and have it signed by the faculty member teaching your desired course. Special (non-admitted) Student Registration Form (PDF) Admitted Student Registration Form (PDF)
- Have your “State Employee Tuition Waiver Request” approved by your Human Resources department. Washington State Employee Four Credit Full Tuition Waiver Request Form (PDF)
- Submit both forms to Registration and Records, no earlier than the first day of class and no later than the end of week 2
- After verifying your eligibility and space-availability in the course, Registration and Records will complete your registration, apply the waiver and send a message to your Evergreen email confirming your registration
- Registration and Records will email you if your registration request does not meet one or more of the requirements
60+ Full Tuition Waiver up to 8 credits
We offer a tuition waiver to those aged 60 or higher. You pay an administrative fee much lower than tuition; however, there are limitations on the types of classes that qualify. Within qualifying classes, there must be an existing available seat when the quarter begins.
Benefits and limitations
- Available to those aged 60 or more
- You must not be admitted, seeking a degree
- Limited to a total of 8 undergraduate credits; no more than two courses
- Limited to courses with space available and no waitlist at the beginning of the quarter. Courses must already exist; creating new sections in existing classes is prohibited.
- Waiver does not apply to programs, graduate study or individual study (contracts or internships)
- Must submit waiver request along with registration form no earlier than first day of the quarter
- You will not be charged Student Activity or Wellness fees; therefore, you will not receive an ID card or receive benefits from programs supported by those fees
- Waiver eligibility is determined on a quarter-by-quarter basis. It does not remain with you from quarter to quarter.
Costs
- $100 administrative fee
- Fees for materials or activities, if required for the class
Process
- Complete a special student registration form, and have it signed by the faculty member teaching your desired course Special (non-admitted) Student Registration Form (PDF)
- Complete the 60-Plus Waiver Form (PDF)
- Submit both forms to Registration and Records, no earlier than the first day of class and no later than the end of week 2
- After verifying your eligibility and space-availability in the course, Registration and Records will complete your registration, apply the waiver and send a message to your Evergreen email confirming your registration
- Registration and Records will email you if your registration request does not meet one or more of the requirements